Colm Tóibín: “I think people still think that men are more important. I just don’t see that”

Irish author Colm Tóibín is known for his accuracy of detail, whether it is in his descriptions of his walk along the Irish border (Bad Blood) or the emotions of Mary after her son’s crucifixion (The Testament of Mary). He talks to Nandini Nair about the rich solitude that domesticity offers, the genius of Jane Austen and watching his book come alive. Excerpts: