‘Push for change’ worth exploring
If Emily Perkins were asked to describe her preferred aesthetic, it would be nice things mixed with comfort.
The critically acclaimed and awardwinning novelist’s latest book, Lioness, is one of four shortlistedin the $65,000 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction section of this year’s Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
Facing off against Booker Prize-winning author Eleanor Catton and critically acclaimed former national award winners Pip Adam and Stephen Daisley, Perkins said she could not speak to why her book was selected in the top four.
“I’m just so delighted to be a finalist,” she said.
Lioness’ protagonist is Teresa Holder, who has transformed herself into upperclass Therese Thorn after marrying the older, wealthier Trevor. Thorn owns a homeware business, but rumours of corruption gather around one of Trevor’s property developments, and Thorn begins to re-evaluate her privileged world.
The novel was Perkins’ first in 11 years, and she said the questions raised in the book were ones she had been turning over in her mind – about “gender dynamics, family and the push for change” as well as the “things that get in the way” of change.
“Things get more complicated as you get older.”
She said while it was fiction, it was also about “exploring ideas”.
In the book, Thorn’s neighbour Claire is striving to live freely and authentically;
Perkins described the character as being like “a naughty friend”.
Living in Wellington, Perkins said she was lucky to be surrounded by a group of great writers. “The writing community is extraordinary here and there’s always something going on.”
When she writes a story it is in both a notebook and on her laptop. “I’m not terribly organised, but at a certain point all my notes migrate to the computer.”
She also preferred to print her work off and read it on paper, saying she was able to pick up more that way.
As far as declaring a favourite book goes, she said she was unable to but loved reading something that gave her a good feeling. With the main character of Lioness, Perkins wanted to make sure there was a capability for insight and change.
“I wanted to create a character who might live in a pretty privileged world but is able to change. The idea is that change in ourselves is possible.
“If you can change things in one aspect of your world, you’re more capable of effecting change elsewhere.”
A big part of the character’s world is the life she creates with her homeware range.
In Perkins’ own world, she admired the aesthetic of a friend who had “beautiful style” but who also made comfort a priority.
“She would never choose something that is going to be uncomfortable. I like nice comfy things too.”
Perkins published her first book, a collection of short stories titled Not Her Real Name, in 1996 when she was in her early 20s.
More success followed with the novels Leave Before You Go; The New Girl; Novel About My Wife, which won the 2009 Montana Book Award; and The Forrests.
Perkins has also been a university lecturer, presented a television programme about books, and in 2017 was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her contributions to literature.
The 16 finalists in the Ockhams were selected from a long-list of 44 books by panels of specialist judges across four categories: fiction, poetry, illustrated nonfiction, and general non-fiction.
The winners will be announced at a public ceremony on May 15 during the Auckland Writers Festival.