Banville later elaborated on the experience: "I have the distinct impression that I wasn’t the target of this really. I think he assumed that I would believe him and that I would make a big fuss in the newspapers and say this is another dispute within the jury. I think that's what he expected me to do because that would embarrass the Academy. Specifically he was talking about some woman on it who was deeply into gender studies. So I suspect it was her that was the target. It wasn't done for fun. It has the hallmarks of a man with a grudge. Not a grudge against me". Banville provided the recording to the Swedish Academy to assist its investigation. Banville responded well in spite the hoax; he was described in the "Sunday Independent" as being "as dignified and eloquent as ever in the face of a disappointment that made headlines around the world" and told "The Observer": "There is some comedy in it and potential material: 'The man who nearly won the Nobel prize'". Media in Ireland described the trick played on Banville as "cruel", while media in neighbouring England described it as "deceitful". He received numerous sympathetic emails and telephone calls and support from fellow writers.