A Conversation with the Editor: Madeleine Knowles
Photo Credit: Rob Garraway
What book or author got you hooked on reading as a child?
Ah, there are so many! I have vivid memories of going to the local library with my mum and watching my pile of books being stamped before carrying them home. I remember a few of the lovely picture books we read, like Brambly Hedge, Percy the Park Keeper, and Mouse and Mole, but it was probably Jacqueline Wilson that got me hooked on reading when I was a little older. I remember how exciting it was to see the latest Jacqueline Wilson book in the bookshop and I still have all my hardback editions because, apparently, I simply couldn’t wait until the paperback was published.
Do you have a favourite genre and, if so, what are some must-read titles?
I am generally drawn to contemporary literary fiction and memoir more than anything else. I specifically enjoy reading books that play around with the boundaries between the author and the narrator because I love having an insight into other people’s lives and minds. A few of my favourite authors who write this type of narrative are Deborah Levy, Annie Ernaux, Olivia Laing, and Rachel Cusk.
I have also really been enjoying reading the retellings of Greek myths that have increased in popularity recently. There are so many incredible books to choose from in this genre, but I’d say that my favourites so far are A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes, Circe by Madeline Miller and Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker.
What fictional character would you say you are most like?
This is such a difficult question! I might go with a bit of a left-field answer because I tend to be drawn to novels with protagonists who are a little dysfunctional and I’d like to think I’m relatively normal! So instead, I’ll go with the child in Emily Hughes’ beautiful children’s book, Wild, because she is so sure of herself and doesn’t like living by the restrictive rules placed on her by society, so she escapes to live with the birds and the bears in the forest. This book also contains one of my favourite quotes: ‘You cannot tame something so happily wild.’
What is your favourite adaption of a book to film/TV and why?
Normal People by Sally Rooney. I think this TV adaptation is the first I have seen that feels like it exists as a piece of art in its own right. I think the production added the perfect visuals and characterisation to what was already a beautiful story.
Do you read mostly to escape, to be entertained, or to be informed?
I love this question. I think I probably look for a combination of wanting to escape and wanting to be informed. I always want to be able to escape into other people’s psychologies and relationships, which usually ends up being quite informative – maybe not in a factual or historical way, but I’m generally more interested in learning about humans and the strange ways we think and behave.
Which is most important to you: well-drawn characters, clever plotting, or a sense of place?
I think having well-drawn characters and a vivid sense of place are the most important aspects because they are my passage into the world of the book. If I had to choose one, I’d probably go for characterisation because, if the characters are captivating and nuanced enough, I’ll want to follow their story, regardless of what happens to them!
Do you judge a book by its cover?
Oh, definitely. I won’t even try to deny it! Book designers put so much thought and consideration into this design that it would be rude not to judge a book by its cover… I think that, if a cover is effective, it should attract the right people who will be drawn to the story within, so I actually think that the design of a book is an integral part of the reading experience. Ultimately, books are beautiful artefacts and I think it’s okay to celebrate that.
