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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Clare Chambers

Clare Chambers: ‘Iris Murdoch taught me that a novel could be about absolutely anything’

Clare Chambers.
‘I find comfort in even the darkest book if the writing is brilliant’ … Clare Chambers. Photograph: Anna McCarthy 2017

My earliest reading memory
I have the fuzziest memory of an illustrated Grimms’ fairy tale called Jorinde and Joringel from the time before I could read. I made my mum take it out of the library over and over again. It was about a quest for a flower with some special powers. I wish I could remember why it had such a hold over me.

My favourite book growing up
I think a sense of humour is forged in childhood and I remember crying with laughter as my older sister read me the Jennings books by Anthony Buckeridge. It didn’t bother me that they were all about prep school boys – it was the comedy of embarrassment that really spoke to me.

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