Interview
with Patrick Modiano
Translation into free English
(not literal) of a telephone interview in French with Patrick Modiano following
the announcement of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Literature, 9 October 2014. The
interviewer is Hélène Hernmarck of Nobel Media.
[Patrick
Modiano] Hello.
[Hélène
Hernmarck] Yes, Hello, sincere congratulations on receiving the Nobel Prize.
[PM]
You’re very kind and I’m very touched.
[HH]
My name is Hélène and I’m calling from Nobelprize.org. Thank you for giving us
the time to ask you a few questions.
[PM]
Ah, yes, yes, yes.
[HH]
Where were you when you received the news?
[PM]
I was actually in the street. Yes, I was in the street. It was my daughter who
notified me.
[HH]
Oh your daughter called you on your mobile?
[PM]
Yes, yes, yes. I was very touched. It gave me even greater pleasure because I
have a Swedish grandson.
[HH]
Where were you, in the centre of Paris? In which particular street?
[PM]
Oh, I was just next to the Jardin de Luxembourg.
[HH]
Oh, wonderful. What does it mean to you to receive the Nobel Prize, what does
it signify?
[PM]
First of all … so unexpected, it’s something I never thought I would receive …
it really touched me. It’s made me very emotional.
[HH]
You’ve been a writer for a long time. Why do you write?
[PM]
Well, I started very early, in my twenties. It’s becoming a long time now. It’s
something natural, it’s something that’s part of my life.
[HH]
You’ve written 20 or 30 books. Is there a certain book that you take greater
pleasure in, which signifies more to you than the others?
[PM]
Listen, it’s difficult. I always have the impression that I write the same
book. Which means it’s already 45 years that I’ve been writing the same book in
a discontinuous manner. You don’t really know your reader.
[HH]
Now that you will become world famous which book would you recommend everyone
to read?
[PM]
Yes, I always have the impression that’s the last book I write.
[HH]
What’s the title?
[PM]
It’s called Pour que tu ne te perdes pas dans le quartier.
[HH]
Pour que tu ne te perdes pas dans le quartier?
[PM]
Pour que tu ne te perdes pas dans le quartier.It’s about losing perspective
within your surroundings. The last book is always the one I recommend because
it leaves you …
[HH]
Wishing for more?
[PM]
Yes, yes.
[HH]
Are you going to celebrate tonight with the whole family?
[PM]
Yes, yes, I want to be with my family. Yes. Yes, with my Swedish grandson that
gives me so much pleasure and loves me a lot. It’s to him I dedicate this
Prize. It is, after all, from his country.
[HH]
Are you coming to Sweden in December?
[PM]
Yes, yes, certainly?
[HH]
With the whole family?
[PM]
Yes, yes. [Laughs]
[HH]
Do you have a big family?
[PM]
No, not really, I just have two daughters and a grandson. So not a big family.
[HH]
Thank you very much and once again congratulations.
[PM]
Thank you. I hope what I’ve told you is not too confusing?
[HH]
No, no, not at all. Have a great evening and warm congratulations again from
Sweden and Nobelprize.org.
[PM]
Oh, I’m so touched. |
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