My Papa the Poet: How Books Change our Lives

Written by Roland Schwarz, translated by Gwen Clayton (1991, Oriental Studies)

An Austrian college student who was inspired to become a container ship captain after reading Moby Dick. A translator who kept her sanity in a locked-down Shanghai with the help of George Saunders. A Czech couple who followed a book’s pages all the way to their dream home in Tuscany.

These and more than a dozen other true stories reveal one astonishing truth: books can change everything. In this remarkable collection, Roland Schwarz shares unforgettable, uplifting, and surprising accounts of readers of every age, walk of life, and corner of the world whose lives have been reshaped by literature.

“One of life’s greatest pleasures is reading a life-changing book. This book is full of stories to lead you to your next one.” – Christy Collins, author of The Price of Two Sparrows

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