In a startling confession that will resonate with many who found classic literature a childhood chore, acclaimed novelist Nick Harkaway has revealed he once "loathed" Charles Dickens so intensely it almost turned him off reading for good.
The author of The Gone-Away World and Titanium Noir described being force-fed Dickens at school as a profoundly negative experience. The dense prose and complex social commentary of Bleak House and other tomes felt impenetrable, creating a barrier between the young Harkaway and the joy of stories.
A Literary Lifeline in a Fantasy World
Harkaway's literary salvation, ironically, came from another doorstep-thick novel: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Where Dickens felt like a compulsory and confusing academic exercise, Tolkien’s epic fantasy was a gateway to pure, immersive pleasure.
"It was this huge book that I read for fun," Harkaway recalled, highlighting the crucial difference between assigned reading and reading for personal discovery. This single book reignited his passion for stories and set him on the path to becoming a writer himself.
From Adversity to Appreciation
Time, however, has offered a new perspective. The adult Harkaway, now a celebrated author in his own right, has come to a more nuanced understanding of the Victorian titan. While the childhood resentment lingers, he can now appreciate Dickens's extraordinary characterisations and his powerful social conscience.
He acknowledges the genius in Dickens's ability to capture the human condition and his fierce critiques of societal injustice, qualities that have cemented his legacy. This journey from aversion to appreciation is a testament to how our relationship with literature can evolve dramatically over a lifetime.
A Cautionary Tale for Educators and Parents
Harkaway’s story serves as a potent reminder for how literature is taught. Introducing canonical authors too early or without the right context can risk alienating young readers rather than inspiring them.
His experience underscores the importance of choice and accessibility in fostering a lifelong love of reading. Sometimes, the key to unlocking the classics is first finding the right key—be it fantasy, sci-fi, or comic books—that makes a reader fall in love with the act of reading itself.
