Eleanor Catton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eleanor Catton
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Eleanor Catton in 2012
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| Born | Eleanor Frances Catton 1985 (age 39–40) London, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Education | University of Canterbury (BA) Victoria University of Wellington (BA Hons, MA) University of Iowa (MFA) |
| Notable works | The Rehearsal The Luminaries< Birnam Wood |
| Notable awards | 2013 Booker Prize |
Eleanor Catton (born in 1985) is a famous novelist and screenwriter from New Zealand. She was born in Canada but moved to New Zealand when she was a child. She grew up in the city of Christchurch.
Eleanor Catton studied creative writing and earned a master's degree. Her first novel, The Rehearsal, was published in 2008. This book was later made into a movie in 2016. Her second novel, The Luminaries, won the important Booker Prize in 2013. At 28 years old, Eleanor Catton became the youngest person ever to win this award. The Luminaries was also turned into a TV show, and Eleanor Catton helped write the script for it. In 2023, she was recognized as one of the best young British novelists.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Eleanor Catton was born in Canada in 1985. Her family moved to New Zealand when she was six years old. She grew up in Christchurch. Her mother was a children's librarian, and her family did not have a TV. This meant Eleanor read and wrote a lot from a young age.
When she was 13, her family lived in Leeds, England, for a year. Eleanor went to a local school there. After returning to New Zealand, she studied English at the University of Canterbury. She then completed a Master's degree in Creative Writing at Victoria University of Wellington.
Literary Career
Her First Novel: The Rehearsal
Eleanor Catton's first novel, The Rehearsal, came out in 2008. She was 22 years old at the time. She wrote this book as part of her Master's degree. The story is about how people react to a secret relationship between a teacher and a student.
The Rehearsal won the Betty Trask Award in the UK in 2009. It was also considered for other major awards. After this, Eleanor Catton went to the Iowa Writers' Workshop in the United States. There, she earned another degree and taught creative writing until 2011. In 2016, The Rehearsal was made into a film directed by Alison Maclean.
Winning the Booker Prize with The Luminaries
Eleanor Catton started writing her second novel, The Luminaries, when she was 25. It was published in 2013. The book is set in New Zealand in 1866, during the gold rush.
The Luminaries won the Booker Prize in 2013. Eleanor Catton was 28, making her the youngest author ever to win this award. At 832 pages, The Luminaries was also the longest book to win the prize in its history. The judges called it a "dazzling" and "luminous" work.
In 2014, Eleanor Catton received an honorary degree from Victoria University of Wellington. She was also made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her contributions to literature.
Writing for the Screen
Eleanor Catton enjoyed making short films with friends when she was younger. When her novel The Luminaries was turned into a TV miniseries, she became the screenwriter. This is quite unusual for an author. She worked hard to rewrite the story for television, changing the main character to Anna Wetherell. The six-episode TV show first aired in May 2020.
Eleanor Catton also wrote the script for the 2020 film Emma. This movie was based on a classic novel by Jane Austen.
Her Latest Novel: Birnam Wood
Eleanor Catton's third novel, Birnam Wood, was published in February 2023. The title comes from the famous play Macbeth. The book is a modern thriller about a group of young people who are climate activists. They call themselves Birnam Wood.
Birnam Wood was shortlisted for the Giller Prize in 2023. The New York Times also named it one of the 100 Notable Books of 2023.
Views on Politics
In 2015, Eleanor Catton shared her opinions about the governments of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. She said she felt angry that politicians seemed to care more about money than about culture or the planet.
Her comments caused a lot of discussion in New Zealand. Some people, including the Prime Minister at the time, were disappointed. Others supported her right to express her views. Eleanor Catton explained that her comments were part of a longer interview. She said she had often shared her opinions before and was surprised by the strong reaction. She felt it showed how quickly powerful people try to silence those who question them.
Personal Life
Eleanor Catton met poet Steven Toussaint at the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Steven moved to New Zealand in 2011. He often reads her drafts and helps her with her writing. They got married on January 3, 2016. As of 2023, Eleanor Catton and Steven Toussaint live in Cambridge, England, with their daughter.
Supporting Other Writers
In 2014, Eleanor Catton used some of her prize money from the New Zealand Post Book Awards to create a special grant. It is called the Lancewood/Horoeka Grant. This grant helps new writers by giving them money. The idea is to give them time to read and learn, and then share what they learn with other artists.
Awards and Recognition
Eleanor Catton has received many awards for her writing.
- In 2009, her first novel, The Rehearsal, won the Betty Trask Award and the Montana New Zealand Book Awards First Book Award.
- In 2013, The Luminaries won the prestigious Booker Prize and the Governor General's Literary Award for fiction in Canada.
- In 2014, The Luminaries also won the New Zealand Post Book Awards Fiction Award and the People's Choice Award.
- In 2023, she was named one of the Granta Best of Young British Novelists.
Works
Novels
- The Rehearsal (2008)
- The Luminaries (2013)
- Birnam Wood (2023)
- Doubtful Sound (coming soon)
Short Stories
Eleanor Catton has also had several short stories published in different collections.
Films
- Emma. (2020) – She wrote the screenplay for this film.
See also
In Spanish: Eleanor Catton para niños
