This is an archive article published on October 28, 2014
‘I rewrite constantly’
Love and its difficulties have always fascinated Man Booker prize-winner Anne Enright.
Written by Alaka Sahani
New Delhi | October 28, 2014 12:13 PM IST
3 min read
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Multiple trips to India to participate in literature festivals — post her Man Booker Prize win in 2007 for The Gathering — have made Irish author Anne Enright familiar with the Indian literary circuit. “Travelling to places such as Delhi, Jaipur, Goa and Mumbai has given me a sense of this huge country. What I find most fascinating is that Indians are deeply engaged with literature,” says the 52-year-old, who will visit Mumbai this week to attend the Tata Literature Live!. During the three-day event, she will take part in two panel discussions.
Enright’s writings are famous for their inherent Irishness. “This is natural as I grew up in Ireland and I live there with my family,” she explains, adding, “You may live in a certain place but as a writer, you hope your books travel.” Her wish came true after winning the Man Booker. Her novels had always enjoyed an impressive readership in the UK, USA and Australia — countries with a large Irish population. However, after 2007, her audience has widened. “Novels are a wonderful way of connecting with people. The prize has pushed my writings to the world and created a huge interest in them,”she adds.
Even though the politics of Ireland and social conditions often feature in her work, she believes her writing is overwhelmingly about relationships and family. “I write about love and the difficulties of love. The values are changing in Ireland as well as other countries. My books talk about that,” says the author who started writing at the age of 21 after being gifted an electric typewriter by her parents. The Gathering is a witty and insightful family epic that unfolds at a funeral.
Her latest, The Forgotten Waltz, looks at adultery from a woman’s perspective.
Enright recently wrapped up her next novel that is scheduled to release in May 2015. For this, she has adopted a very different approach. The story is narrated from the point of view of each of its characters. At the heart of the novel is a mother of four. Her children, in their 40s and living in different parts of the world, return to confront their past and strained relationships. “I lost several novels while trying to
write this one. Each of its characters can own a novel,” says Enright. She had to resist the temptation of writing their stories in detail in order to shape the novel right. Still, she believes that nothing in wasted. “Maybe their stories will return in another form,” she says.
Obsessed with revising her text, Enright says, “I constantly rewrite. This gives the writing a finesse.” Yet, there are times when she finds the process of writing a novel very slow. That’s when she takes a break from it and engages in writing non-fiction, especially essays.
“When a novel doesn’t progress, I choose to walk away from it. That gives me the opportunity to do something completely different, such as exploring non-fiction. Earlier, this would also fetch me the money that I needed to support my fiction writing,” she says.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
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