By virtue of this upbringing , Hopkinson had access to writers like Derek Walcott during her formative years .
By virtue of this upbringing , Hopkinson could read Kurt Vonnegut 's works by the age of six .
By virtue of this upbringing , Hopkinson had access to writers like Derek Walcott during her formative years , and could read Kurt Vonnegut 's works by the age of six .