Writer
ClAiRe HENNESSY
Last book you read?
Alan Bennett's The Uncommon Reader, a lovely novella about the Queen taking up reading. I am always impressed with writers who can make the business of reading and writing riveting without being absurdly self-indulgent along the way.
Favourite book?
Charlotte Bronte's Villette. Lucy Snowe is an infuriating, cold, neurotic, and yet completely compelling heroine.
Favourite film?
This one's embarrassing, because I'm too old to claim it as a long-lasting childhood favourite -- Shrek.
Favourite painter?
I'm hopeless when it comes to the visual arts. Dali, I suppose, for the dripping clocks especially -- just don't ask me to analyse them.
Favourite piece of music?
David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
Favourite country to visit?
I'm very boring here -- England. I am a city girl rather than an admirer of beautiful countryside, and London is one of my favourite places, always exciting and new but also familiar -- no need to feel under pressure to "do" the whole city in a weekend.
Favourite TV show?
Currently: Boston Legal. It's funny, it's political, it's bizarre, it taps on the fourth wall with precision, and it has William Shatner and James Spader occasionally dressing up as pink flamingos.
Food?
Pasta in all its forms.
Wine?
Yes, please.
Biggest influence in your professional life?
Enid Blyton, for the school stories -- in their own way as unrealistic as the Famous Five defeating smugglers, yet presenting a relatively ordinary setting in which wonderful stories could still happen.
Cultural blackspot?
The space held in the hearts and souls of the individuals constantly tuning into reality television. It's inexplicable.
Claire Hennessy's latest novel, Big Picture, is published by Poolbeg, at €7.99
