The Literary Life Podcast

Episode 278: The Literary Life of Natalia Testa

May 27, 2025
Natalia Testa, a rising homeschool junior passionate about classical languages and detective novels, shares her fascinating literary journey. She recounts her childhood reading experiences that ignited her love for ancient history and literature. Natalia's encounter with Dorothy Sayers propelled her into the world of detective fiction. The conversation touches on overcoming reading slumps and the joys of exploring obscure manuscripts. With insights from her studies at the House of Humane Letters, she exemplifies how engaging with complex texts can shape one’s literary identity.
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ANECDOTE

Early Passion for Ancient Worlds

  • Natalia obsessively read the Magic Treehouse series as a child, especially fascinated by books featuring ancient history and mythology.
  • This early passion led her to deeply appreciate ancient Greek and Roman cultures, shaping her literary interests.
ADVICE

Embrace Challenging Books Young

  • Children can benefit from reading books above their level without understanding every word.
  • Contextual reading and using tools like Kindle's dictionary support comprehension and foster enjoyment despite difficult vocabulary.
ANECDOTE

Early Dorothy Sayers Obsession

  • Natalia discovered Dorothy Sayers' detective novels at age 11, starting with Strong Poison and became deeply obsessed with them.
  • She loved the literary richness, humor, and order the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries brought during a challenging time in her life.
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