I believe that books, once they are written, have no need of their authors.

The circle of an empty day is brutal and at night it tightens around your neck like a noose

Is it possible that even happy moments of pleasure never stand up to a rigorous examination? Possible.

At most, I may write when I am disturbed by something. I have recently discovered the pleasure of finding written answers to written questions.

I don't have any special passion for politics, it being a never-ending merry-go-round of bosses big and small, all generally mediocre. I actually find it boring.

As a girl - twelve, thirteen years old - I was absolutely certain that a good book had to have a man as its hero, and that depressed me.

We lie in order to tolerate our existence and, most of all, we lie to ourselves.