For nearly half a century Patrick Modiano has delivered a book every two years. But the French author, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature this week, says it has really been one long novel.
“I have always had the impression to write the same book ... in a discontinuous manner,” he told Nobelprize.org after receiving the world’s most prestigious literary award on Thursday. “And of course, one is not really conscious of what one writes, one cannot really be one’s reader ... but the feeling has been that it was the same book ... written over 45 years.”
As always in his rare public appearances, Mr Modiano sounded elusive and emotional. The 69-year-old stumbled over his words and had difficulty finishing his sentences, prompting the Swedish interviewer to come to his rescue with a gratefully accepted suggestion.