In my journey, I’ve been inspired by a number of writers and their works. (Along with inspiration, they’ve also provided a heck of a lot of enjoyment!)

 

Which writers and/or books have inspired you or carried you along in some way or have simply provided you much joy? Let me know.

 

Anyway, here are some of mine:

 

Papa – The short stories most of all, particularly those in In Our Time.

 

Conrad – What a stylist! And English wasn’t his first language! Heart of Darkness and Nostromo are favorites that I re-read often.

 

DeLilloRunning Dog, Libra.

 

Amy Hemple – Short story master.

 

Melville – The ending lines of Moby Dick knock me out every time I read them.

 

Robert StoneDog Soldiers and Damascus Gate. IMHO, Dog Soldiers is perfect!

 

Graham GreeneThe Quiet American, The End of the Affair, The Heart of the Matter.

 

John Le Carre – The Karla Trilogy. Interestingly, my favorite of the three may be The Honourable Schoolboy, which many people leave off their lists.

 

Dickens – Any of them, especially Bleak House.

 

Mathias EnardStreet of Thieves.

 

Virginia WoolfOrlando, a Biography. (Borges loved it, so how could I not?)

 

Patricia Highsmith – I’ve read the Ripley books several times each and they still enthrall.

 

Cormac McCarthyBlood Meridian, although I don’t really understand the epilogue.

 

Denis Johnson – I haven’t been able to get into Tree of Smoke, but Jesus’ Son, WOW!

 

Those are a few; I’ll have more.