In his recent collection of 13 essays, bestselling author Daniel Handler, also known by his pen name Lemony Snicket, reveals his personal literary preferences. He proposes that each person’s reading list is not dictated by what is regarded as lofty, enduring, ethical, or skilfully concocted, but rather by our personal tastes and affections. With a tendency to veer away from the homogenized literary hierarchy, Handler’s unique reading list features a motley blend of B-movies, 80s synth-pop, and an array of books, with the work of Charles Baudelaire taking centre stage.
Taking on the form of an unconventional memoir, the origin of this book can be traced back to when Handler was tasked with introducing a new translation of Baudelaire’s renowned work, Les Fleurs du Mal. The structure of the book permits him to delve into his personal life as it pertains to his artistic inspirations.
Although it’s not a direct guide to achieving literary fame, Handler provides insight into his creative process. When inspired by an element from another book, he dissects the book like a mechanic would a watch, to understand its inner workings. He brings to life the magic of literature – reading Nabokov, he says, enriches the world with complexity and depth.
Aside from his literary musings, Handler also shares aspects of his personal life marked by persistent hallucinations, a troubling childhood incident of sexual assault, and a complex relationship during his late teenage years. Despite these revelations, he refrains from seeking empathy, staying true to his consistent discomfort with simplistic morality.
While it’s tempting to ponder whether these experiences influenced his career writing about childhood horrors, the book, much like life, does not offer such clear-cut connections. Above all, it stands out as an articulate tribute to the capricious zeal of storytelling.
“Michael Longley admitted, ‘A majority of men have an aversion to smart women. I, on the other hand, keenly listen to everything they say.'”