An Interview with Shirley Hazzard

Shirley Hazzard, an acclaimed author born in Sydney in 1931, has lived in various countries, including Hong Kong, New Zealand, Britain, and France, and is now a U.S. citizen residing between Italy and New York. Her career includes a decade at the United Nations, which inspired her satirical and nonfiction works, such as "People in Glass Houses" and "Defeat of an Ideal." Hazzard is best known for her fiction, including "The Transit of Venus," which earned her the National Book Critics’ Circle Award, and "The Great Fire," which won the National Book Award. In an interview, she discusses the significance of literature and poetry in her life and work, emphasizing how they foster connections among people. Hazzard notes that her characters often experience coincidences that reflect real life, challenging readers' expectations of narrative plausibility. She believes that literature was once a central part of life, shaping individuals' understanding of love and pain. Hazzard also reflects on her literary marriage to Francis Steegmuller, highlighting their mutual understanding of the creative process. The interview reveals her views on the role of literature in personal growth and the importance of allowing readers to draw their own conclusions from her work.

- Shirley Hazzard is an influential author known for her novels and nonfiction works.

- Her experiences at the United Nations informed her writing, particularly in her satirical works.

- Hazzard emphasizes the role of literature and poetry in fostering human connections.

- She challenges conventional narrative expectations by incorporating real-life coincidences in her stories.

- Hazzard's literary marriage with Francis Steegmuller was characterized by mutual support and understanding.