Tobacco is the opiate of the gentleman, the religion of the rich.

I describe my works as books, but my publishers in Spain, in the United States, and elsewhere insist on calling them novels

There were influences in my life that were more important than journalism, such as comic strips and radio.

The relationship between reader and characters is very difficult. It is even more peculiar than the relationship between the writer and his characters.

I think that I've tried many times to get Cuba in my writings, especially Havana, which was once a great and fascinating city.

I think that like all writers - and if any writer disagrees with this, then he is not a writer - I write primarily for myself

A good smoker, like a good lover, always takes his time with a cigar.