Emerging writer Gurnaik Johal has admitted he was completely unaware of Zadie Smith's towering reputation in the literary world before encountering her work. The young author, whose debut collection has drawn comparisons to Smith's early output, made the surprising revelation in a recent interview.
A Literary Awakening
Johal described his first encounter with Smith's writing as a revelation. "I came across her work quite late," he confessed. "When I started reading her, I had no idea she was such a big deal in the literary world."
The Influence of a Giant
The 26-year-old author of We Move explained how discovering Smith's novels transformed his understanding of contemporary fiction. "Her ability to capture London's multicultural essence while maintaining universal appeal showed me what was possible," Johal noted.
Parallels and Differences
While critics have drawn parallels between Johal's London-set stories and Smith's early work, the young writer is keen to establish his own voice. "Of course it's flattering to be compared to someone of her stature," he said, "but every writer needs to find their own path."
The interview offers fascinating insights into how new literary talents discover and engage with the work of established authors, often without initially recognising their significance in the cultural landscape.
