Reading material
Coffee and Literature: Writers and Their Coffee Favourites
The world of literature is deeply imbued not only with characters and landscapes, but also with the quiet sip of coffee. Writers have found a source of inspiration and creativity in the aroma and bitterness of coffee. The steaming coffee beside them as they write has subtly but surely influenced the world of their work. In this article, we'll introduce real-life writers and their favorite coffees, along with some anecdotes.
A fusion of French literature and cafe culture
Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir spent their days engaging in philosophical and literary discussions at famous Parisian cafes such as the Café de Flore and Deux Magots. For them, cafes were not just places to relax, but intellectual spaces in themselves. A morning espresso was the switch that sharpened their thinking.
In this cafe culture, Sartre gazed upon the world through coffee and reflected that perspective in his literature. The aroma of Parisian cafes and strong coffee became part of the atmosphere in his ontological literature.
Akutagawa Ryunosuke and his delicate taste
Ryunosuke Akutagawa, a great Japanese writer, was also a coffee lover. He had a strong interest in Western culture, and his preference for coffee was particularly prominent. Akutagawa preferred a lighter flavor to dark roast coffee, and he cherished quiet time for writing.
In one diary entry, he describes an afternoon spent in a coffee shop, where he would work out the idea for a short story amid the quiet steam of coffee. For a man with a strong literary sensibility, coffee was an essential ally in calming his delicate mind.
Morning Coffee with Haruki Murakami
Contemporary author Haruki Murakami has stated that he starts his day by brewing coffee first thing in the morning. The sound of grinding the beans, the process of pouring hot water, and even the moment the aroma rises form the rhythm of his creative work. His essays and novels also feature many scenes in which characters carefully brew coffee, which serve as a symbolic representation of his tranquil worldview.
For Murakami, coffee is not just a drink, but a part of his writing ritual , an essential part of his daily routine, calming his thoughts and preparing his words.
Emily Dickinson and Homemade Coffee
American poet Emily Dickinson is a writer who confronted the world deeply within a closed space. Her life was closely tied to her family, and coffee time was an important time for her to maintain peace of mind. It is said that coffee breaks, inserted into short conversations with guests or time spent with family, held special meaning.
The unique sense of space and the weight of silence found in her poetry must surely be connected to this quiet everyday life and the warmth of coffee that envelops it.
Hemingway and Strong Black Coffee
Ernest Hemingway, known for his bold writing style, preferred strong black coffee. His descriptions of coffee in his works are also powerful and uncluttered. In particular, his novels "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "A Moveable Feast" feature episodes set in cafes in Spain and Paris, where coffee is portrayed as a symbol of the inner lives of the characters.
For him, coffee provided a moment of respite and renewal on the battlefield or during his travels, and is often spoken of as a symbol of masculinity and loneliness .
Charlotte Perkins Gilman's Coffee Ritual
American feminist writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman also had a deep love for coffee. Her writings portray the role of coffee in the family and in women's lives, and she argues that a morning cup of coffee enriches women's daily lives. For Gilman, coffee was more than just a drink; it also symbolized women's independence and creative life.
George Orwell and his coffee theory
George Orwell, author of "1984" and "Animal Farm," left some interesting thoughts about coffee in his essays. Although he was not a coffee drinker and preferred tea, he recognized the cultural aspects of coffee. In particular, he wrote that "café culture is important as a social gathering place," and valued coffee for its power to create a forum for social interaction and intellectual discussion, rather than simply being a leisurely beverage.
Other writers who have enjoyed coffee
- Jorge Luis Borges : Even as he was losing his sight, he was said to have enjoyed coffee in the cafés of Buenos Aires and traveled through imaginary worlds.
- Raymond Carver : A master of the short story, it is said that he would write in the silence of the morning while drinking coffee.
- Joyce Carol Oates : Her creative moments were known to always include a hot cup of coffee.
What they all have in common is that coffee blurs the boundaries between life and creativity, and adds depth to their work.
summary
Literature and coffee. The connection between them is quiet yet endlessly deep. The coffee that writers have enjoyed in their study or at a cafe has sometimes sparked ideas and sometimes helped regulate emotions. A fragrant cup of coffee stirs the writer's imagination and leaves a rich aftertaste in the reader's heart. Taking the time to enjoy coffee while reading in your daily life can be a luxurious moment, as if you are touching the breath of the writer.
