Born in Dublin, Sebastian Barry, 71, published his first novel in 1982. In 2005 and 2008, A Long Long Way and The Secret Scripture were shortlisted for the Booker prize; three of his other books have been longlisted. Barry has twice won Costa book of the year and he was laureate for Irish fiction. Tomorrow he discusses his latest novel, The Newer World, at Queen’s Park book festival in London. He is married with three children and lives in County Wicklow.When were you happiest?
Purely and unconsciously, living on Greece’s Paros aged 25. Exhausted and happy, when our babies were small.What is your greatest fear?
Running out of money or time.What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Not listening, but I am training myself.Describe yourself in three words
Peculiar, intense, awkward.What makes you unhappy?
