Mary Benton

Q&A with Author Mary Benton

Q. Why did you decide to write a book from a cat's point of view?

A. The idea came from a cartoon (by George Molnar) in the Sydney Morning Herald. Gough Whitlam was earnestly lecturing three large cats about something - I can't remember what. I saw these cats as senators. The germ of the idea was a cat who was a senator and, naturally, had the balance of power.

The character develops in the book and she becomes more human. She represents Bastet, the Cat Goddess of Ancient Egypt, a multifaceted figure with rich mythological significance, but she acts with humans in the human world.

Q. How did you weave the narrative of the story together - did it come out on the page, or had you planned it prior?

A. I did a lot of reading and research for the book as it does cover many areas - cats in history and literature; mythology; Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome; crime; espionage; politics; etc. The book has a wide frame of reference.

The narrative and style of the book came out on the page; it evolved. I didn't have the story planned from the beginning and it is a bit of a mystery to me how it came together as it did. It wasn't worked out at the conscious level. Some of it was a gift from the gods. Nevertheless, writing does take a lot of work at the conscious level as well: research, cutting and shaping, getting the facts and grammar right, and so on.

Q. What is your view of Australian politics and world politics?

A. It seems to me that politics never changes. That's why this book applies today. The world itself doesn't change much - we tend to repeat the same things over and over. As the epilogue says "The players and cards are reshuffled, and the game goes on." In the world today there are many serious problems; some seemingly beyond satire. In a world of "post-truth politics" let's hope we are not yet "post-satire."

Q. How is this book, your first full length novel, your offering and message to the world?

A. First and foremost the book is a comedy. I hope readers are entertained by it. Its message might be: "Don't forget to laugh."