How To Read Like Florence Pugh!

Florence Pugh has stolen our hearts, from Midsommar and Little Women to Black Widow and Don’t Worry Darling, she has proven that she has real talent and range as an actress. But her range is not just limited to the acting roles she takes on! She also is a widely-read individual who enjoys books in a broad range of genres. Florence has previously expressed that she doesn’t have much time to read, so the books she does read have been chosen carefully and deliberately, and she makes sure each one will bring value to her life. If you are looking for a new book to pick up, try one of these which your favorite actress has recommended! 

1. Dune by Frank Herbert

You may know about this book from its recent film adaptation starring Timothée Chalamet, but it has been popular in the literary world as a sci-fi epic for over 5 decades. Florence posted a pic on instagram of herself at the beach reading this book in anticipation for her role in Dune: Part Two, which is to be released in November of 2023. Dune follows a set of characters in a distant future where noble families are spread throughout the galaxy to rule planets that have been deemed as important for protection by the emperor. Paul Atreides's (Chalamet) family is one of the nobility, and they are tasked with ruling a planet in which the valuable asset to protect is “the spice” (or melange), a drug that enhances mental abilities, initiates heightened awareness, and improves lifespan. When Paul's family is attacked after a brutal betrayal, Paul has no choice but to set out on a journey to avenge them – by trying to achieve something that has only been believed in religious theory. Dune is sure to pull you into a world of intrigue, accompanied by themes of political unrest, revenge, religious obsession, and imperial conflict to decode and ponder on. It is definitely a dense read, but for those who want to understand the depth of the story and become immersed before watching the film for the first time, like Florence, then this is the book for you! 

2. The Girls by Emma Cline 

Florence toldThe Guardian that she loved this psychological coming-of-age story because it showed “the difference that one summer can make when going through puberty.” She went on further to call it a “beautiful read”, and considering her role in Midsommar, it's no surprise that she would be drawn to a book like this. The Girls is a fictional novel loosely based on the infamous Charles Manson murders of the 1960s. Throughout the book, readers follow an impressionable young teen named Evie as she encounters hippie culture and becomes mesmerized by some local teen girls and their alternative lifestyle filled with freedom and carefree dispositions. After she is lured in by these girls and their sense of spiritual transcendence, Evie decides to join their commune. Just like that, Evie is pulled into a world where she is led by a dangerous man and is absorbed into the cultish customs of the community. The more time she spends with the cult and away from her family, Evie becomes more and more manipulated into taking the path of violence that the commune encourages members to partake in. Will Evie remove the rose-colored glasses through which she views her new "family" and realize she’s in a cult, or will she succumb to the temptations that the cult leader preaches? This book has great commentary on childhood innocence, girlhood vulnerability, and manipulation. It may contain heavy topics for some readers, but if you are interested in these themes, this book provides an abundance of content to analyze. 

3. The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

Florence recently read an excerpt from this book on Netflix’s YouTube channel in anticipation for the film adaptation which was released in the U.K. just last month. In the film, Florence stars as Lib Wright, a nurse who takes on an assignment in a small village in Ireland to investigate a strange case of a girl who does not need to eat. The girl, named Anna, claims that she has not eaten anything since her 11th birthday and does not need food or nourishment to live on. Puzzled, Lib stays in the small village to observe the medical mystery of the girl, while journalists and reporters stream in from surrounding towns to catch a glimpse of the enigma. Lib must find out if the girl is some kind of religious miracle, is infected by a strange disease, or is somehow creating an elaborate hoax. This book is full of suspense and mystery and has many twists and turns within the plot. If you enjoy historical fiction and the uneasy vibes of small remote villages where strange things happen, then this book is for you!