Sam Lake is one of the creative powerhouses behind the eclectic masterpieces released by Remedy. If you’re trying to make sense of the Finnish artist’s incredible imagination, it would be a great idea to start by having a look at his recommended reading list, which he has recently shared.
A friend asked for book recommendations some time ago, and I quickly went through my bookshelf. Here’s some.https://t.co/QwypIFyfIbpic.twitter.com/FHDNcSmb31
Lake reveals that these were the books he grabbed off his bookshelf when a friend asked for recommendations. In case you’re having trouble seeing all the books, here’s the list:
There are also a few books by a personal favorite of mine, Paul Auster:
This is far from the first time we’ve gotten a glimpse at Lake’s reading list. In past interviews, he has spoken at length about the books that have inspired him and influenced his current creative style. A Tweet from Remedy Entertainment revealed the books on Lake’s desk, and plenty of them are video game adaptations.
@SamLakeRMD’s desk sure has a lot of interesting things on it! Have you read any of these books? 👀#AlanWakepic.twitter.com/NqgRV0qdBX
There are other texts, and though I struggled to figure out all the titles, the following do appear in the pile.
Analyzing Sam Lake’s reading list
Anyone familiar with Lake and Remedy won’t be shocked to see Stephen King’s works. I like his books because once you reach the last page the horror is over unlike in real life where you may close all the books in your local library but the harrowing horror of the human condition will continue unabated.
King, with both his personal life and his writing, pretty much forms the backbone of theAlan Wakefranchise. Several parallels can be found between King and the fictional Wake, including excessive drug use and an unkillable fascination with the horror genre.
If you’re interested in improving your writing skills,On Writingis a stupendously good text. It won’t revolutionize your artistic abilities overnight, but it does give some insight into the grueling dedication needed to master the craft. You also get a slice of some of King’s most visceral writing, and the description of him getting his eardrum pierced has never left my mind.
It would be impossible to not see Paul Auster appear multiple times. His influence on Lake’s work is massive, and theNew York Trilogy, which containsCity of Glass, features many of the metafictional elements found inAlan Wake 2. When it comes to detective themes, an interrogation of identity, and a mind-bending dive into postmodern narrative storytelling, Lake is essentially the Auster of gaming.
Understandably, some replies on Twitter express shock that Conrad’sHeart of Darknessis on the list. It doesn’t alarm me at all. Inasmuch as it is plagued by its exoticization of Africa and ignorance regarding pre-colonial African civilization, it’s still a tale that manages to capture the intertwined excitement and anxiety that comes with the exploration of a new land. This is a constant in bothControlandAlan Wake 2.
The Crying of Lot 49is another text that would find it impossible to not sneak onto Lake’s bookshelf. It’s a book with detective themes that refuses to give you any definitive answers. In aninterview with The Ringer, he discusses how he studied the novel in college and most of his peers did not like the fact that they could not make head-to-toe of it. Lake, on the other hand, loved the sense of the unknown Pynchon creates, which is something we also get to explore inRemedy games.
A few more books to consider
In many ways,Alan Wakeis the ultimate gaming franchise for bibliophiles and writers alike. There’s no true required reading list needed to enjoy the series or any of Remedy’s other games, but there are certainly books available to condition your mind for some of the wackiness the Finnish studio brings.
Stephen King is a given, and once you’re done withOn Writing, then you should hit upThe Shining,Misery, andtheDark Towerseriesnext. H.P. Lovecraft’s texts are a must as well, as they feature cosmic forces beyond our comprehension, with horrors nigh indescribable, much like the Dark Presence.
It’d also be wise to immerse yourself in thefantastically weird world of the SCP Foundation. It’s collectively made by fans, so a lot of the entries are hit or miss, but the good ones present some of the most mind-melting sci-fi concepts I’ve ever come across. The Remedy Connected Universe also borrows heavily fromTwin Peaksand other works by David Lynch, but I lack the expertise to adequately dive into the connections.
Despite all these inspirations, games from the Finnish studio are like nothing you’ll find in any bookshop or gaming storefront. Though mimicry can get you quite far,games likeAlan Wake 2demonstrate that true artistic achievement comes from treating these influences like rocket ships to propel you to new creative heights.
