In conversation with Eleanor Catton

A collection of interviews with the Booker Prize-winning writer.

Eleanor Catton was only the second New Zealander  – and the youngest author ever – to win the presitigious literary award. She was also the youngest short-listed writer in the competition's 45-year history.

The Luminaries is a murder mystery set on the West Coast during the 1860s gold rush that relies on an astrological narrative. It follows in the footsteps of Mr Pip by Lloyd Jones, which was shortlisted in 2007, and The Bone People by Keri Hulme, which won in 1985.

Collection items

  • Big Year interview - Eleanor Catton

    24 Dec 2013

    New Zealand author Eleanor Catton whose second novel, The Luminaries, won the 2013 Man Booker Prize. Audio

  • Author Eleanor Catton's favourite song

    31 Dec 2013

    As she takes a break from a hectic time of book promotions, events and media interviews - she's been listening to music - and one song in particular. Audio

  • Eleanor Catton on winning the Man Booker Prize

    16 Oct 2013

    Eleanor Catton on the phone from London after having been announced as the winner of the Man Booker Prize. Audio

  • Max Porter: editing and publishing

    15 Mar 2014

    Editor at Granta Books whose first publishing project was The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton. Audio

  • Playing Favourites with Eleanor Catton

    3 Aug 2013

    Graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, and now lecturer in creative writing at the Manukau Institute of Technology, whose second novel, The Luminaries, has been longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Audio

  • Feature Guest - Eleanor Catton

    15 Dec 2010

    Young NZ author who has spent the year as an adjunct professor at the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop, while continuing to pick up literary awards for her debut novel,"The Rehearsal". She has also… Audio

  • Eleanor Catton: writing rehearsal

    13 Jun 2009

    Author of debut novel The Rehearsal, which has been sold to publishers in the UK, the USA, and Europe, and is a finalist in the Fiction and First Book categories at the Montana New Zealand Book… Audio

  • Try Something New - Book Clubs

    4 Jan 2012

    We drop in on a long established Wellington book club where New Zealand author Eleanor Catton's novel 'The Rehearsal' made quite an impression. Audio

  • Writers Block: Eleanor Catton

    6 Jul 2008

    Lynn talks to Eleanor Catton about her book, 'The Rehearsal'. Audio

  • The Musical Pen

    3 Aug 2012

    Publisher and jazz reviewer Fergus Barrowman explains why putting music into words is probably the hardest form of writing there is; jazz pianist Norman Meehan explains why it helps to be a musician -… Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

Eleanor Catton Booker Prize winner
Photograph © Robert Catto