Novels are . . . an unsurpassed form to understand people.

Our exile organizations have been our way of replacing the cities and villages we have lost.

Sweden is still a very peaceful country to live in. I think that people in Britain have created this mythology about Sweden, that it's a perfect democratic society full of erotically charged girls.

When I was a very young author, I knew I needed to build myself a tower outside of Europe. Like when you're a hunter, and build towers to watch the animals move. I knew I would never understand the world without that perspective. I came to Africa for that rational reason, although I love Mozambique now.

It was a clear, starry night, dead calm. Whenever I see a sky like that, I wish I could write music

You think you know everything about a person, but the truth often comes as a surprise.

Certainly, I know what it's like to be obsessed. I haven't always been there for my children. They could reach me, but I wasn't always there. But, you know, that's not necessarily anything to do with being a writer. I mean, a taxi driver could have the same problem... Maybe.