Peter Godfrey-Smith's 6 favorite books for expanding your mind
The philosopher recommends works by Annie Proulx, Douglas Hofstadter, and more
When you make a purchase using links on our site, The Week may earn a commission. All reviews are written independently by our editorial team.
Philosopher Peter Godfrey-Smith is the author of the 2016 best-seller "Other Minds," which explored what octopus intelligence reveals about the development of consciousness. His new book, "Living on Earth," offers a grand tour of the history of life on Earth.
'Close Range: Wyoming Stories' by Annie Proulx (1999)
Short stories, including the original "Brokeback Mountain" and more. I was given this book by a friend about 20 years ago, and it reset my view of what writing can do. Buy it here.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'The Honorary Consul' by Graham Greene (1973)
I picked this novel off the bookshelf of a bed-and-breakfast almost randomly about three decades ago and started reading. I went on to read just about all of Greene's books, and I think this one and "The Power and the Glory" are his best. (I've read that Greene agreed about "The Honorary Consul.") I don't remember the plot well, after the botched kidnapping. It's the Greene nexus of degradation, alcohol, religion, and redemption. Buy it here.
'The Book of Laughter and Forgetting' by Milan Kundera (1979)
Another book that changed my view of literary possibilities (perhaps I keep lapsing into a too-narrow view and need to be jolted out of it). Kundera also inspired me on the stylistic side, through his relaxed, direct, transparent writing, and I also appreciate the gentle humanism of his outlook. Buy it here.
'American Salvage' by Bonnie Jo Campbell (2008)
More American short stories, grittier and less lyrical than Proulx's. Set in Michigan. Campbell creates wonderful characters. Buy it here.
'Moby-Dick' by Herman Melville (1851)
I reread "Moby-Dick" when I was writing "Metazoa," the second of the trilogy that began with "Other Minds" and ends with "Living on Earth." There's nothing like entering Melville's universe and floating around in it for a month or two. Buy it here.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
'Gödel, Escher, Bach' by Douglas Hofstadter (1979)
A logical-philosophical-computational tour de force. Very long, very rewarding. I read it between the end of high school and the start of my university years, and it set me up well for my journey into philosophy. Hofstadter also typeset the book, and one has the sense that the book embodies its writer to an unusual degree. Buy it here.
This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - September 8, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - circuitous thoughts, overheating circuits, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Chicken with Steph's spice
The Week Recommends This Caribbean-inspired recipe is mouthwateringly delicious
By The Week UK Published
-
A peaceful seaside village in Turkey
The Week Recommends Çıralı has been spared the 'scourge' of all-inclusive resort development
By The Week UK Published
-
Chicken with Steph's spice
The Week Recommends This Caribbean-inspired recipe is mouthwateringly delicious
By The Week UK Published
-
A peaceful seaside village in Turkey
The Week Recommends Çıralı has been spared the 'scourge' of all-inclusive resort development
By The Week UK Published
-
Peter Kennard: Archive of Dissent – 'striking' political photomontages
The Week Recommends Whitechapel Gallery retrospective showcases half-a-century of the British artist's 'powerful' political works
By The Week UK Published
-
Jay Rayner shares his favourite books
The Week Recommends The journalist and food critic picks works by Nora Ephron, Fliss Freeborn and more
By The Week UK Published
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
By The Week UK Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published
-
Sing Sing review: prison drama bursts with 'charm, energy and optimism'
The Week Recommends Colman Domingo plays a real-life prisoner in a performance likely to be an Oscars shoo-in
By The Week UK Published
-
Kaos review: comic retelling of Greek mythology starring Jeff Goldblum
The Week Recommends The new series captures audiences as it 'never takes itself too seriously'
By The Week UK Published