My Secret Life: Anita Nair, author

My Secret Life: Anita Nair, author

Saturday, 18 August 2007

Anita Nair was born on 26 January 1966, in Kerala, India. A bestselling author of fiction and poetry, her novels The Better Man and Ladies Coupe have been translated in to 21 languages. She was educated in Chennai (Madras) before returning to Kerala, where she gained a BA in English Language and Literature. She lives with her husband and son in Bangalore. Her latest novel Mistress is published by Black Amber, £11.99

I ride: A bicycle. But I do own an SUV, which I rather adore, though I don't drive it. It is roomy and perfect for the roads I have to travel on.
If I have time to myself: I bake. I like how baking melds science and art seamlessly.
You wouldn't know it but I'm no good at: Crossing roads.
A book that changed me: Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands by Jorge Amado.
Movie heaven: Is in a room by myself accompanied by a home theatre with surround sound, a projection screen and a recliner. I hate people nattering or asking "what did she say?"
Comfort eating: French toast with maple syrup, fried bread and a soft boiled egg; chicken tikka roll, and malted milk (separately, of course, depending on the time of the day or night).
When I was a child I wanted to be: A psychiatrist. I thought it would be like being at the movies all day; real and imaginary life stories happening before me all the time.
All my money goes on: The good things: wine, food, music, books, clothes ...
I wish I'd never worn: My hair short when I was in school. I was always being teased about the bird's nest perched on my head.
At night I dream of: I wish I knew. I think, I don't dream. Not even in my sleep.
My favourite building: Is my home. The mere thought of it makes me feel happy. It contains everything that is precious to me and is where I know I belong.
My biggest regret: Is not learning to drive. I am forever at someone's mercy and hate having to be so dependent.
It's not fashionable but I like: Gold jewellery; especially if it's antique jewellery set with precious stones.
If I wasn't me I'd like to be: Ernest Shackleton. He was and is perhaps the only hero I ever had.
The shop I can't walk past: Blossoms, a secondhand bookshop in Bangalore.
My favourite work of art: The Hotel Room by Edward Hopper.
The soundtrack to my life: Pablo Casals playing the Bach Cello suites.
The best invention ever: The mobile phone. I was a different woman before I got one for myself.

FONTE: http://www.independent.co.uk/