Estelle Nollet, 2013 [fr]
Randell Cottage, a residence for French and New Zealand writers located in Wellington, welcomed its 22nd resident in January 2013, French writer Estelle Nollet.
Estelle Nollet
Estelle Nollet was born in 1978 in the Central African Republic and moved to France a few years later. Following her studies as a graphic artist in Paris, she worked in advertising in France and elsewhere, before taking up a second career as a diver and working as an instructor in a number of countries (Australia, the US, New Zealand, Mexico…). She says diving into the world of silence is like discovering a book in movement where there’s a new story happening mutely every second.
She has published two novels, both with major publishing house Albin Michel. Her first, On ne boit pas les rats kangourous (2009) (You don’t drink kangaroo rats), is set in Australia, where she has travelled. It has been compared to the work of Cormac MacCarthy, and was awarded several prizes for emerging novelists.
The second novel, Le bon, la brute, etc (2011) (The good, the bad, etc) took ou the Prix Gironde (for ‘new writing’) and is described as an international road-movie novel.
Estelle Nollet was at the cottage for four months, from January to early May 2013.
Reception for Estelle Nollet
On the 7th of February 2013, a reception was held at the Residence of France to welcome Ms. Estelle Nollet.
Author of two novels, French writer Ms. Nollet resided at Randell Cottage in early 2013. During her 4-month stay, Ms. Nollet worked on her latest piece of writing and gave talks around New Zealand as well as in New Caledonia.
On the occasion of the reception, Randell Cottage trustees and friends gathered to welcome Ms. Nollet and to celebrate the literary bonds between France and NZ.
H.E. Mr. Francis Etienne, Ambassador of France to NZ, wished Ms. Nollet well during her four month stay at the Cottage. Mr Etienne praised Ms. Nollet’s work, and read an excerpt from On ne boit pas les rats kangourous (2009) (You don’t drink kangaroo rats), her first novel.
Mayor Celia Wade Brown and H.E. Mr. Francis Etienne welcome Estelle Nollet
Speaking in French, Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown also kindly welcomed Ms. Nollet, and presented her with a book about the capital city.
Estelle Nollet’s tour of New Zealand
The 2013 French writer in residence at Randell Cottage, Estelle Nollet, toured New Zealand from Monday the 18th of March until Wednesday the 27th of March. Her tour was organised in partnership with the Alliance Française network.
Christchurch: Monday 18 - Wednesday 20 March
- Monday 18 March, 10am
Talk at the University of Christchurch - Tuesday 19 March, 6pm
Talk at the Alliance Française de Christchurch - Wednesday 20 March, 2pm
Talk at the University of Christchurch
Auckland: Thursday 20 - Saturday 23 March
- Thursday 21 March, 4.30pm
Presentation about the life of a writer for French teachers and their students - Thursday 21 March , 6.30pm
Talk for Alliance Française students at Grey Lynn branch - Friday 22 March, 10am
Discussion with Alliance Française students and Book Club at Takapuna French Café - Saturday 23 March, 10.30am
Talk at the Alliance Française
Palmerston North: Tuesday 26 March
- Tuesday 26 March, 6.30pm
Discussion at Palmerston North Library with Alliance Française members
Estelle Nollet in the media
Estelle Nollet’s radio interview with Eva Radich
On Monday the 4th of March 2013, Estelle Nollet, joined Radio NZ’s Upbeat host Eva Radich to discuss her fascinating career and literary works.
Interview with Bess Manson
On Saturday the 30th of March 2013, Estelle Nollet spoke with journalist Bess Manson about her life, travels, and working on her latest book in New Zealand.
Click HERE to read the interview.
An evening with French writer Estelle Nollet
“Entre Voyage et Écriture” at the Alliance Française Wellington.
On Tuesday the 30th of April at 6pm, Estelle Nollet, the 2013 writer in Residence at the Randell Cottage, held a discussion at the Alliance Française Wellington. Ms. Nollet spoke about the relationship between travelling and writing, and the impact of these endeavours on each other.
Attendees were invited to speak with Ms. Nollet after the presentation during an “apéro-time”.
For more information about Randell Cottage, please click HERE.