my mother explains

Mom sent me an email this morning, defending herself. She says that I was probably six when this book got into my hands, and I had been mostly bored with whatever reading material that had been available to me at the time.

Mom

... You were just fascinated. I could not bear to pull you away. I knew all that pablum you were supposed to be reading was just too boring. I remember asking your father if maybe it was a little too grim, but he felt it was just fine. Of course. Why I asked him I will never know.
Thank god Harry Potter came along and got you off the Hindenburg. But don't chastise us, you would have done the same. You were bored. I consider that torture.

That sounds entirely plausible.

Love always,

Clara