Maggie O’Farrell on imposter syndrome and why she didn’t think she was ”the marrying kind”

This week’s guest is the award-winning novelist, Maggie O’Farrell. The author of eight novels, most recently the stunning Women’s Prize winner, Hamnet, and one of my favourite memoirs of all time, I Am, I Am, I am. And now she’s written a children’s book, the absolutely gorgeous Where Snow Angels Go, which is a banker for a Christmas Day teatime animation a la The Snowman if ever I saw one. 

While Maggie noses through my bookcase and plays with Sausage the (tail-less) cat, we talk being a social media refusenik, giving voice to women’s stories, saying good riddance to the male gaze, why she never thought she was the marrying kind. Oh, and why she still secretly fears someone might take her Women’s Prize away! Frankly, if Maggie O’Farrell has imposter syndrome, what hope is there for the rest of us?

The Shift (on life after 40) with Sam Baker is hosted by Sam Baker, produced by Emily Sandford. I’d love to hear what you think - please let me know on twitter @sambaker or instagram @theothersambaker

• The Shift - How I (lost and) found myself after 40 - and you can too is out in hardback and available to buy here.

• Where Snow Angels go by Maggie O’Farrell and Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini is out in hardback and available to buy here - the perfect stocking filler!

• Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell is out in hardback and available to buy here.

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