The most important basis of any novel is wanting to be someone else, and this means creating a character.

Philosophy appears to concern itself only with the truth, but perhaps expresses only fantasies, while literature appears to concern itself only with fantasies, but perhaps it expresses the truth.

I claim the right to take a stand once in a while.

It's very useful when politicians have doubts because there are so many choices to be made in the world.

There are some fundamental values it's impossible to be wrong about.

In a novel, my feelings and sense of outrage can find a broader means of expression which would be more symbolic and applicable to many European countries.

My books are about losers, about people who've lost their way and are engaged in a search.