A short blurb can’t do justice to Colm Tóibín. He’s the author of ten lauded novels including The Master, Brooklyn, The Testament of Mary, Nora Webster and The Magician; collections of short fiction; several books of criticism and recently completed a tenure as the Laureate for Irish Fiction.

His latest novel, Long Island – a return to the world and characters of his beloved and best-selling Brooklyn – was hailed as a “masterpiece” by critics and proved so popular in his native Ireland that it was named Waterstones Irish Book of the Year and 1 in every 150 people in the country bought a copy.

His popularity, renown and adoration stretches well beyond the Emerald Isle, of course. In this special visit to Aotearoa New Zealand, Paula Morris meets him to discuss an extraordinary life in letters.