Catherine O'Flynn - winner of 2007 Costa First Novel Award

Catherine O'Flynn, winner of the 2007 Costa First Novel Award, talks about her book, What was Lost.

This short film, commissioned by Costa Coffee, was shown at the Costa book of the Year awards ceremony in London on February 2008. The film made by Charles Turley at CTA Limited.

About the book:

A lost little girl with her notebook and toy monkey appears on the CCTV screens of the Green Oaks shopping centre, evoking memories of junior detective, Kate Meaney, missing for 20 years. Kurt, a security guard with a sleep disorder and Lisa, a disenchanted deputy manager at Your Music, follow her through the centre's endless corridors - welcome relief from customers, colleagues and the Green Oaks mystery shopper. But, as this after-hours friendship grows in intensity, it brings new loss and new longing to light.

About the author:

Catherine O'Flynn was born in Birmingham in 1970 to Irish parents, The youngest of six children, she grew up in and around her parents' sweet shop. She has worked as a teacher, a web editor, a mystery customer and a postwoman. What Was Lost was rejected 15 times before being taken on by Birmingham-based publisher, Tindal Street Press. It has since been Radio 5 Live's Book of the Month, and been longlisted or shortlisted for literary awards including the Orange Prize and Man Booker. After a few years in Barcelona, Catherine now lives in Birmingham where she works in the box office of the local arts centre.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• catherine
• o'flynn
• oflynn
• costa
• book
• awards
• interview
• film

[fimetic]

Not since Bernard Malamud's "The Assistant" has a book moved me so much. PLEASE do yourself a favour buy it read it, you won't be disappointed. Thank you Catharine I'm looking forward to your next book?