Catton makes a good point

ELEANOR Catton - you are absolutely right.

There was grudging respect for The Luminaries win at the Man Booker literary awards for best original novel.

But there was also a certain bitchy response to her success from Kiwi authors and columnists, mostly men and mostly jealous.

Instead of outright shock and awe - or pleasure in someone else's accomplishment - there were digs at the length and content of the book.

It's as if the media establishment have their idea of which authors should be winners and Catton, or Keri Hulme when she won the same prize, didn't fit the frame.

Yes, The Luminaries is a difficult read. I have first-hand experience of this.

But you are not going to win the Man Booker prize with an EL James or Jeffrey Archer.

It has always been grim to be a writer in New Zealand and it has not got any easier ... possibly it is now harder.

In her outburst, Catton also decried having to represent New Zealand overseas, seemingly as some kind of international literary mascot, when she didn't agree with its politicians.

But there is no need for her to be an ambassador for this country.

It is not the Olympic Games and we haven't stuck a silver fern on her chest.

The backlash against the backlash may have the writer ducking for cover and reiterating her Kiwi credentials.

But she shouldn't. The arts world every now and again needs to give New Zealand a shake-up and remind us there is more to take notice of than Masterchef and McCaw.

We're a big enough little country to both appreciate success in the arts and take a bit of criticism on the chin.