It seems pretentious to assume that we are not creatures of action. I think often it takes a situation of extreme absurdity, extreme action, to push us to the limits of what our character is, and to change us as people. Eleanor Catton absurdityactionassume share on social
I'm the rogue Canadian in my family - I just happened to be born here while my parents were studying here. Eleanor Catton bearcanadianfamily Change image and share on social
In my experience, and that of a lot of other women writers, all of the questions coming at them from interviewers tend to be about how lucky they are to be where they are - about luck and identity and how the idea struck them. Eleanor Catton comeexperienceidea share on social
As an artist, you need to be not at all entitled in your relation with the work. So money is kind of worrying. You can start to expect things if you're used to a certain level of comfort. Eleanor Catton artistcomfortentitle Change image and share on social
From the very beginning, I had an ambition for 'The Luminaries': a direction - but not a real idea. Eleanor Catton ambitionbegindirection Change image and share on social
The books that really made an impact on me were not set in New Zealand. Some were New Zealand novels, but the New Zealandness of them was not what carried me or excited me. Eleanor Catton bookcarryexcite Change image and share on social
Margaret Atwood was the author who took me out of children's literature and guided me towards adult literature. Eleanor Catton adultatwoodauthor Change image and share on social
I believe really strongly in imitation, actually: I think it's the first place you need to go to if you're going to be able to understand how something works. True mimicry is actually quite difficult. Eleanor Catton difficultimitationmimicry Change image and share on social
I have written ever since I knew mechanically how to do it. Eleanor Catton knowmechanicallywrite Change image and share on social
I really wanted to write an adventure story, a murder-mystery that was set during the gold-rush years in New Zealand. Eleanor Catton adventuregoldmurder Change image and share on social
