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The moment I realised I knew how to read. I was five.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 June 2022 source ↗
The question
What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
Others on this question
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Dan Stevens
English actor
My wedding day, eight years ago.
Joyce Carol Oates
Novelist, short story writer and essayist
On two dates: 23 January 1961 and 13 March 2009 (my two weddings).
When my UK citizenship was approved. It’s taken me eight years and lots and lots of money. I was at home in South Africa when I received the news and my mum said, “I am so happy for you because this is your glitterball.”
Julie Andrews
English actress, singer and author
In London. When Blake [Edwards, her husband since 1969] made me laugh so much I wept. Blake says I slept with a smile.
More from Fran Lebowitz
View profile →I’ve been awake almost my entire life. I have had insomnia since I was a child.
Rodents – including the tiniest mouse.
The supreme court. Specifically the case Bush v Gore, which is where Sandra Day O’Connor – one person – decided the presidential election.
I just hate to work, so I can’t choose one.
At the moment, Ukraine’s president.
That I’ve never killed anyone – and I’ve been tempted numerous times. My other achievement is that I went to Australia, which meant I was on a plane without smoking for almost 24 hours, and I didn’t kill anyone on that flight.
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Also answered this
Joyce Carol Oates, Adam Kay, David Baddiel, EL James, Julie Andrews, Pauline McLynn
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