Author Sarah Moss: Why She Rejected 'Wuthering Heights' for 'Jane Eyre'

Author Sarah Moss has revealed she always preferred 'Jane Eyre' to 'Wuthering Heights'. She shared this in a discussion about the books that shaped her. Moss's earliest reading memory is 'Swallowdale' by Arthur Ransome. She read it at age seven after her grandmother, a teacher, helped her learn to read. She loved how the story showed adults supporting children after a failure. Her favourite books growing up were 'The Little House on the Prairie' series. She now criticizes the books' politics. Moss says their themes of extreme independence and hidden violence were harmful. But she was drawn to the landscapes and mix of home life and adventure. Moss also discussed what she learned from authors John Updike and Martin Amis. She praised the brilliant work of novelist Barbara Pym.