University of Pennsylvania

©  2010  Rose George

I spent a happy year at the University of Pennsylvania in 1993-4, attempting to understand International Relations (and failing; I switched to comparative politics), living luxuriously on the generosity of the splendid Thouron Award (and Fulbright for the travel) and getting far too fond of the vegetarian meatballs served up by the Magic Carpet lunch truck just off campus. So I am extremely touched and honoured that the university’s Penn Reading Project has selected The Big Necessity for next year. The Penn Reading Project gives out a copy of its chosen book (though last year the choice was a painting) to all freshmen (freshpeople) students. I think I’m the youngest choice, and the first woman to be chosen for twelve years (the last was Maxine Hong Kingston in 1998). Needless to say, I am extremely chuffed, not least to be in the company of Euripides, Voltaire and Graham Greene. And to be chosen by one of my alma maters (the other being Somerville College, Oxford, which has yet to want to inflict me or my book on its students or alumni), is even more gratifying.