As I experienced life on the island, without electricity, plumbing or telephone, I thought it was important to show that people can live as I did without dying or falling apart. I wanted people to understand that we don't need everything that our culture tells us we have to have to be satisfied.

In my books, my idea is always to explore social context and social forces.

There is still nothing like equality for women in jobs, in family. There's just an awareness that inequality is not acceptable.

Usually, ordinary histories don't get the emotional feel of a period. That's what a novel can do.

For two years I watched my parents' lives wind to a close. This made me aware of old age as a one stage, the final one, of a long journey.

Many people spend the ends of their lives alone, and probably a lot of years in the middle of their lives, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience the rewards of solitude.

Our society has very much limited our choices, even regarding the food we think acceptable.