Nia DaCosta’s favourite books of all time: “Tragic, fascinating and heartbreaking”
In recent years, horror cinema has experienced a refreshing influx of young auteurs who have repeatedly taken risks while trying to reconfigure the frameworks that have become inevitably associated with the genre. Among them is American filmmaker Nia DaCosta, who started garnering serious attention after she made the 2021 version of Candyman.
A direct sequel to the 1992 original, Candyman not only managed to capture the bizarre tone of the first film but also made it feel contemporary. Utilising a unique visual framework to deliver an unsettling cinematic experience that is rife with social commentary, DaCosta’s interpretation of the source material is bristling with dark humour and a deep understanding of the medium.
It was the unprecedented critical and commercial success of the 2021 horror movie that made studio executives sit up and take notice, resulting in DaCosta getting the opportunity to make a blockbuster in the Marvel franchise. Unfortunately, last year’s The Marvels failed to demonstrate all the qualities that set her apart within the current cinematic landscape. It is actually impossible to see it as anything other than another uninspired studio exercise that is symptomatic of Marvel’s recent decline.
Thankfully, it looks like DaCosta is back on track to make something within her domain, as she is currently involved in an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play, Hedda Gabler. In an interview last year, DaCosta opened up about her own literary influences by citing some of her favourite books while emphasising masterpieces written by women.
She included Virginia Woolf’s seminal work Mrs. Dalloway in her list, noting: “I was really struck by the craft of the prose and watching the characters find their purpose and happiness, and I found that so tragic, fascinating and heartbreaking. What is so interesting about this book is that it cracks open the quotidian of happiness.”
Another interesting addition to DaCosta’s selection is Bread Givers, Anzia Yezierska’s three-volume exploration of a young girl’s life as she navigates the labyrinths that are connected to being an immigrant in the United States. Delving deep into the unique experiences associated with Jewish families while also constructing a nuanced depiction of New York City, Bread Givers is essential reading for anyone interested in immigrant narratives or coming-of-age novels.
While talking about her admiration for Bread Givers, DaCosta explained: “I was immediately drawn into this story and to Sara. The tyranny of patriarchy she faces in her father is so suffocating… Yezierska’s portrayal of 20th century New York is really beautiful.”
A more contemporary entry on DaCosta’s list is Zadie Smith’s White Teeth, an award-winning work that also focuses on immigration but in the United Kingdom. Even though it was Smith’s debut novel, it managed to hit the bestseller charts and garnered widespread critical appreciation in the process.
The filmmaker said: “I am obsessed with Zadie Smith. I think she is an absolute genius. I just loved this book so much, the scope is so huge but it is also so intimate. It’s always striking to read something like this that expresses humanity.”
Check out the full list below.
Nia DaCosta’s favourite books
- Circle of Magic – Tamora Pierce
- Mrs. Dalloway – Virginia Woolf
- Persuasion – Jane Austen
- Bread Givers – Anzia Yezierska
- White Teeth – Zadie Smith
