Daniel Radcliffe, renowned for his portrayal of Harry Potter, has shared his literary interests and fond memories of reading in a recent interview for Bustle’s “One Nightstand” series. In this engaging conversation, he opened up about his journey with books as well as revealing his current reading recommendations.
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During the interview, which took place on March 10, Radcliffe reminisced about how he fell in love with reading, thanks to J.K. Rowling’s beloved Harry Potter series. “I think I was definitely one of the kids that Harry Potter got them into reading,” he stated. Having read the first two books before securing the role of the iconic wizard, he acknowledged that it was the series that prompted him to delve deeper into the world of literature. “After I got the job, I was like, ‘I guess I need to read all of these now.’ And I got into them, and they were great,” he added.
In addition to his early encounters with the Harry Potter books, Radcliffe has cultivated a diverse taste in literature over the years. One of his standout recommendations is Madeline Miller’s acclaimed novel, The Song of Achilles. This contemporary retelling of Homer’s The Iliad has captivated him due to its poignant storytelling and emotional depth.
“The Iliad’s always been one that I’m like, ‘I probably won’t read that in full,’” Radcliffe admitted, highlighting his initial reluctance to tackle the original epic. “But reading this amazing interpretation of it, where you feel like you get what I’m assuming is the story of a lot of it—It’s a beautiful love story. It’s so well and compellingly written,” he expressed. He further noted how the novel rekindled his excitement for reading, describing it as “so nice to not be able to wait to get back to a book again.”
Radcliffe’s list of must-read books extends beyond fiction. He also praised Simon Winchester’s work, The Surgeon of Crowthorne, known in the US as The Professor and the Madman. This nonfiction narrative chronicles the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary, exploring the unique collaboration between editor James Murray and contributor Dr. William Chester Minor. “It’s a brilliant nonfiction book,” he said, encouraging readers to consider it as a thoughtful gift, particularly for their fathers on occasions such as birthdays or Christmas.
Another recommendation from Radcliffe is Daniel Immerwahr’s How to Hide an Empire, which delves into an often-overlooked aspect of American history: its imperialistic past. The book discusses the complex control the United States exerted over territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Radcliffe found the work enlightening, stating, “It’s incredibly educational about America’s history generally, but particularly this little time in American history.”
Finally, Radcliffe touched on Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, a novel born from secrecy during the Soviet Union between the years 1928 and 1940. The narrative unfolds on two intertwined timelines: one features the devil’s arrival in Moscow in 1925 alongside a cast of extraordinary characters, while the other deals with the forgiveness of Pontius Pilate regarding Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. “It does things that it’s insane that a book can do,” Radcliffe remarked, highlighting the book’s beauty, humour, and excitement.
Reflecting on his first encounter with Bulgakov’s masterpiece, Radcliffe shared, “I think I read it for the first time as a 17 or 18-year-old, and it’s been something that I just think about all the time still, for what the limits of literature can do.”
As he continues to make waves with his current role in the Broadway play, Every Brilliant Thing, Radcliffe’s deep connection to literature remains a testament to the power of reading. His varied selections are sure to inspire both avid readers and those looking to discover new stories, reinforcing the idea that books can deeply shape one’s life and perspectives.
Ultimately, Daniel Radcliffe not only embodies the magic of the wizarding world but also showcases the transformative journey that literature offers to readers of all backgrounds. His insights into both classic and contemporary works serve as an invitation for others to embark on their own literary adventures.