It was several hours after the Nobel prize for literature announcement before anyone was able to get hold of winner Annie Ernaux. The long-tipped, 82-year-old French writer was deep in work, avoiding her ringing phone to concentrate. When a Swedish journalist finally got in contact, she asked: “Are you sure?”
Fitzcarraldo Editions’ publicity director Clare Bogen woke to a barrage of hearts, clapping hands and other excitable emojis. The outcome wasn’t clear until one text: “Annie!”
