Hollie spoke to award winning author Catherine Chidgey about her latest novel ‘Pet’. When a charismatic new teacher arrives, everyone longs to be her pet. A gripping story of deception and guilt, set in a Catholic school during the 1980s.
How did you celebrate your recent win at the 2023 Ockham Book Awards?
I was quite preoccupied with trying to stop my 7-year-old daughter from barging into frame on the TV interviews! After that I had a lovely conversation with Acorn Foundation people about Jann Medlicott and her incredible legacy. Then I tucked my two Acorns up in bed for the night at Sky City.
What are some of your favorite writers or books?
Kate Atkinson, Maggie O’Farrell, Bernardine Evaristo, Kevin Barry, Patricia Grace, Peter Carey, Janet Frame, Edna O’Brien.
Where did the idea for Pet come from?
There was a very glamorous, charismatic teacher at my primary school, briefly, who played favourites. She invited select children to do errands for her, or to come to her house to make fudge and listen to records…and she ostracised those she deemed unworthy. She’s stayed with me for decades.
Were you a teacher’s pet?
I was! I still have the framed prayer my Primer One teacher gave me for helping after school.
Why is morning the best time for you to write?
Because I’m still in a half-dream state, when I can access my unconscious more easily – and that seems to be where the writing comes from. (Also because I have a full-time day job!)
What is your favorite snack to enjoy while writing?
I have an outrageously restricted diet due to extreme allergies, so I’ll have to go with the bad reviews of the books of my enemies.
What is one thing you would like readers to take away from Pet?
Never, ever take your Smurf collection to school.