Despite her awareness of her own talent, she did not anticipate achieving success in her writing career. Starting her publishing journey at the age of sixty, she experienced a unique trajectory, producing nine novels, three biographies, and numerous essays and reviews over a span of twenty years. Her initial struggles included changing publishers multiple times before finding a permanent home with Collins, all without the guidance of an agent, although she formed close relationships with her publishers.

Her unexpected triumph came when she won the Booker Prize for her third novel, which astonished many. This late-blooming author, who is often considered a dark horse in the literary world, proved that it is never too late to find one's voice and make a significant impact through writing.