Anne Enright: Which living person do you most admire, and why? — FLAPSS

Which living person do you most admire, and why?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Anne Enright said elsewhere, not written here

Catherine Corless, who spent her own money to secure birth certificates for the unrecorded dead children of the Tuam mother and baby home.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 September 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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Michael Frayn – such modesty, talent, kindness and bottomless curiosity.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2012 source ↗

Gina Lollobrigida

I’m defined as a very strong woman. I don’t identify myself with a specific figure, but I do greatly admire people who manage to persevere with humility through great difficulties.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, July 2013 source ↗

Alison Moyet English singer

My older sister, Jeanne. We fought when we were kids, but she is so entirely capable.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 June 2017 source ↗

Matt Smith English actor

My dad, because he is full of integrity and good humour; and my grandad, because he's full of the same.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2013 source ↗

More from Anne Enright

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Question What is the worst job you have done? Craft & work

When I was 17 I took on a class of six-year-olds for a week. When the Angelus rang at noon, they stood up in silence and I realised I was supposed to recite the prayer, which I did not know. I said: “There will be no Angelus today because of that child fidgeting at the back.”

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 September 2024 source ↗

Question What most recently made you cry? Identity & self

When Kellie Harrington won gold for Ireland in the boxing at the Paris Olympics I pumped out the briny.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 September 2024 source ↗

Question What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you have ever made — of money, time, or energy? Money & investment

Remember, if you sit at your desk for 15 or 20 years, every day, not counting weekends, it changes you. It just does. It may not improve your temper, but it fixes something else. It makes you more free.

Recorded The Guardian Review, 20 February 2010 source ↗

Question What did you want to be when you were growing up? Identity & self

When I was seven I wanted to be a nun. When I was eight, I wanted to be a boy so that I could be anything I wanted. Also, of course, I wanted to be Samantha in Bewitched.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 September 2024 source ↗

Question Who most deserves an apology from you, and why? Failure & regret

I was not great with my mother-in-law, who was a very gentle woman. I thought she would be an uninvited part of my life for ever, but she died early and I wished I had been more open and patient.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 September 2024 source ↗

Question When were you happiest? Time & hindsight

A few weeks ago, we spent a long weekend going around West Cork, and I was so happy it amazed me. My husband doesn’t always make me happy around the house, but add a road and some scenery and the combination can be very powerful.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 September 2024 source ↗

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