You write a lot of books; you hope you get better.

I invented the historical spy novel.

One is what one has the nerve to pretend to be.

I'm basically an Upper West Side Jewish writer.

The best Paris I know now is in my head.

My novels are about the European reality, not about chases. You want chases, get somebody else's books.

I write what I call 'novels of consolation' for people who are bright and sophisticated.