Roddy Doyle Doubts Richard Dawkins on God’s Existence
- Roddy Doyle's mother played a crucial role in his early reading experience.
- Doyle was significantly influenced by Flann O'Brien's writing and found inspiration in EL Doctorow's work.
- His reflections on various authors reveal a complex relationship with literature and a yearning for laughter amid current struggles.
Roddy Doyle, a Booker-winning author, shares insights about his reading journey, emphasizing the role of his mother in teaching him how to read. He recalls how encountering Flann O’Brien's 'At Swim-Two-Birds' at the age of 16 was transformative, allowing him to connect deeply with the humor of his daily life as reflected in literature. Richard Dawkins' 'The God Delusion' stirred doubts regarding the non-existence of God, although Doyle clarified he did not want to align himself with Dawkins. As a young adult, Doyle found inspiration from EL Doctorow's 'Ragtime,' which encouraged him to pursue writing. Despite this inspiration, he expresses a mixed relationship with literary works like 'Catch-22' by Joseph Heller, which he found to be silly at first but ultimately tedious. His comfort reads, especially PG Wodehouse, serve as a refuge from current societal issues, bringing laughter amid adversity.