The Literary Journey of Sarah Hall: Influences and Reflections

Sarah Hall, a notable author, reflects on her formative reading experiences that shaped her literary journey. She recalls her village primary school headteacher recounting Cumbrian ghost tales, which left a lasting impression. Her mother’s singing of nursery rhymes and her father’s bedtime stories, particularly the "Ant and Bee" series, contributed to her early love for storytelling. Hall's earliest independent reading memory is "The Story of Ferdinand" by Leaf and Lawson, a book that resonated with her childhood.

The Guardian

Hall identifies "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O'Brien as a pivotal book from her teenage years. The novel features Ann Burden, a resourceful girl surviving a nuclear holocaust, which instilled in Hall feelings of fear, anger, and exhilaration due to the character's agency and courage. This book has become an "inheritance track" for Hall, as she has shared it with her daughter, who also appreciates its themes.

The Guardian

Hall credits authors such as Angela Carter and Buchi Emecheta for imparting powerful lessons about female narratives and creativity. She emphasizes the importance of proactivity over submission in storytelling. Additionally, she cites Michael Ondaatje’s "Coming Through Slaughter" as the book that inspired her to pursue writing, noting its unique narrative style and evocative setting.

The Guardian

Despite her admiration for many works, Hall expresses a struggle with Leo Tolstoy’s "Anna Karenina," stating that it lacks psychological organicity for her, leading to her inability to finish it. She revisits "Ferdinand the Bull," finding its themes of strength and non-combatancy relevant in contemporary discussions around machismo and political provocations.

The Guardian

Hall shares her mixed feelings about "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë, describing it as "whingey," though she acknowledges its significance in leading her to "Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys, a work she enjoys revisiting. She also discusses her admiration for Hilary Mantel’s "Wolf Hall" trilogy, praising its originality and depth in historical fiction.

The Guardian

Currently, Hall is reading "Wolves: Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation" by L. David Mech and Luigi Boitani, which serves as research for a film script. For comfort, she turns to "The Little Book of Humanism" by Alice Roberts and Andrew Copson, appreciating its concise wisdom and optimistic message about improving the world.

The Guardian

• “I felt fear, anger and above all exhilaration, because she has agency and courage; she upends dogma and patriarchy.” — Sarah Hall, Author

The Guardian

• “To have that amount of muscle and be a non-combatant – beautiful!” — Sarah Hall, Author

The Guardian

• “It’s a killer trilogy that has created new metaphysics for historical fiction.” — Sarah Hall, Author

The Guardian

Through her reflections, Sarah Hall illustrates the profound impact of literature on her life and writing, highlighting the interplay between her childhood influences and her current literary pursuits.

The Guardian