There's quite a big gap when it comes to that dual identity of mother and child, or even a pregnant woman, or a nursing woman. It kind of begs the question of that very strong Western idea of the individual self.

A novel is written not to be judged, but experienced.

I work at the sentences. Many of the things people find distinctive about my writing, I think of as natural.

I write anywhere - when I have an idea it’s hard not to write. I used to be kind of precious about where I wrote. Everything had to be quiet and I couldn’t be disturbed, it really filled my day.

I do not believe in evil- I believe that we are human and fallible, that we things and spoil them in an ordinary way.

Having kids is very difficult to do on your own, and it's really crazy difficult to think you're doing it as a team and to find out that you're not actually part of a team.

When I'm working, I'm not so much disciplined as obsessive. I have this feeling that I need to clear everything away and get this down.