Netherland: A Novel
Amazon Exclusive: A Q&A with Joseph O'NeillJoseph O’Neill was born in Ireland and raised in Holland. He received a law degree from Cambridge University and worked as a barrister in London. He writes regularly forThe Atlantic Monthlyand is the author of two previous novels,This Is the LifeandThe Breezes, and of a family history,Blood-Dark Track, which was aNew York TimesNotable Book. O'Neill received the 2009 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction for his third novel,Netherland. He lives with his family in New York City.Question:President Obama mentioned in aNew York Times Magazineprofile that he’s readingNetherland. How do you feel about the President reading your book?Joseph O'Neill:I'm very honored, of course.Question:How is the world ofNetherlandparticular to the United States after 9/11?Joseph O'Neill:The story takes place in the aftermath of 9/11.  One of the things it does is try to evoke the disorientation and darkness of that time, which we only emerged from with the election of President Obama.Question:What is the importance of the sport of cricket in this book? Do you play?Joseph O'Neill:I love sport and play cricket and golf myself. Sport is a wonderful way to bring together people who would otherwise have no connection to each other.Question:One of your reviewers callsNetherlandan answer toThe Great Gatsby. Were you influenced by Fitzgerald’s book, and was your book written with that book in mind?Joseph O'Neill:Halfway through the book I realized with a slightly sinking feeling that the plot ofNetherlandwas eerily reminiscent of theGatsbyplot:  dreamer drowns, bystander remembers.  But there are only about 5 plots in existence, so I didn't let it bother me too much.  Fitzgerald thankfully steered clear of cricket.Question:Many reviewers have commented on the “voice” of this novel. How it is more a novel of voice than of plot?  Do you agree with this?Joseph O'Neill:Yes, I would agree with that comment.  This is not a novel of eventful twists and turns.  It is more like a long-form international cricket match (which can last for 5 days without a winner emerging), about nuance and ambiguity and small slippages of insight.  And about language, of course.(Photo © Lisa Acherman)