Eleanor Catton is a New Zealand author who shot to literary fame after winning the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 2013 for her novel, The Luminaries. In this interview, she discusses the inspiration behind her novel, the challenges she faced while writing it, and what it felt like to be the youngest winner of the Man Booker Prize.
Catton's novel, The Luminaries, is set in the New Zealand goldfields during the 1860s, and revolves around a complex plot of murder, love, and intrigue. The book has been praised for its intricate plot and vividly drawn characters, and has been called a "brilliant feat of storytelling" by the New York Times.
During the interview, Catton talks about how she became interested in the goldfields of New Zealand and the research she undertook to bring the era to life in her novel. She also discusses the challenges of writing a book with such a complex plot, and the importance of structure and planning in the creative process.
One of the most interesting aspects of the interview is Catton's discussion of what it's like to win the Man Booker Prize. She describes the moment when she found out she had won as "surreal" and "overwhelming", and talks about the media attention and public scrutiny that followed her victory.
Despite the challenges of winning such a prestigious prize, Catton remains humble and grounded, and is quick to credit the support of her family and the literary community for her success. She also speaks passionately about the importance of literature in our society, and the role that writers can play in shaping our understanding of the world.
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