‘THE PAST IS STRANGE’
Emma Donoghue, author of Room, chats about her new novel, her background – and the virtues of the prompt apology
SHE made waves in 2010 with Room, a harrowing novel told from the perspective of a fiveyear-old boy who’s being held captive in a room with his mother. Now Emma Donoghue (46) is back with a new novel, Frog Music. The Irish-Canadian author opens up about her writing habits and what makes her tick.
On Frog Music
It’s about a little girl in Ireland in the 1850s who doesn’t eat [this was before anorexia was identified]. Back then if you had a kid who wasn’t eating, all sorts of theories would swirl around. Some would see her as physically sick, others emotionally sick, others super-powered.
I love historical fiction. There are all sorts of historical continuities in life but the past is always strange.
Why she avoids writing from experience
There’s a lot of emphasis on the auto-biographical in fiction at the moment. I prefer to inhabit other people’s lives and worlds. I like it when my readers don’t realise they’ve read three of my books because they think of them as separate stories or styles.
On her background
I’m “Irish-Canadian”, which means I’m totally Irish. I lived in Ireland until I was 20, then England for eight years, then Canada. It’s just a handy way of saying I have a foot in two camps.
Ideally I’d want British newspapers, the weather of the south of France, American television and the polite manners of Canada. No one country can satisfy me now.
What were you like as a child?
I was always interested in pleasing adults and scoring 10/10 in tests, and I’ve been diligently reading and writing since I was eight. I never really had an adolescence. I’ve never been drunk, never been arrested.
How she writes
Back in Canada I’ve got a treadmill desk. It sounds mad but you get the hang of it. If you’re successfully distracted by writing you don’t even notice the kilometres. We’ll all be on them in 10 years.
On the importance of diversity
I try to be political as a writer. I always stop and think, “Does this character have to be a white man?” Sometimes you think, “Yes, he does.” But I ask myself the question.
Why she avoids talking about her religious beliefs
It’s the most embarrassing subject to talk about in detail. You sound pompous or confused as soon as you open your mouth. I don’t know how to defend it in rational terms but that’s how my world turns.
On how times have changed for gays and lesbians
When I think about how embarrassed and sheepish so many gay people felt around 1990, it’s unrecognisable.
I’ve ended up having a family [Donoghue has two children with her partner, Chris Roulston] as well as being a lesbian – when I was younger I really thought it would be one or the other.
Why it’s wise to apologise
In a relationship there’s a lot to be said for the prompt apology. Even at the micro level – if you drink the last of the coffee in the pot and she wants some.
On the benefits of parenthood
The great thing is that it limits your free time. It gives you a great enthusiasm for work. You rush into the office to get away from the pram in the hallway.
Why the past year has been her best ever
SThe film of Room [starring Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay for which Donoghue wrote the screenplay and received an Oscar nomination] was successful and made lots of money.
Now I’m living in Nice [France] where Chris is researching 19th-century literature. I don’t see how my friends can do anything other than hate me. Perhaps all my bad luck is around the corner.