When people begin to talk about "our island story" my hackles rise. It is deluded and conservative.

I only became a novelist because I thought I had missed my chance to become a historian.

Fiction leaves us so much work to do, allows the individual so much input; you have to see, you have to hear, you have to taste the madeleine, and while you are seemingly passive in your chair, you have to travel.

[H]ope takes you by the throat like a stranger, it makes your heart leap.

Like a historian, I interpret, select, discard, shape, simplify. Unlike a historian, I make up people's thoughts.

Fear of commitment lies behind the fear of writing.

You mustn't stand about. Come home with me to dinner.’ ‘No.’ More shakes his head. ‘I would rather be blown around on the river and go home hungry. If I could trust you only to put food in my mouth – but you will put words into it.