I wanted to see if I could write a good book.

My heroes were never scientists. They were Graham Greene and Christopher Isherwood, you know, good writers.

You've never heard of an English lover. Only an English patient.

I have been much blessed.

[As a young man ] I came to the conclusion that the church was just a bunch of fascists that supported Franco. I stopped going on Sunday mornings and watched the birds with my father instead.

People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty. I think it would be great.

Science has always been my preoccupation and when you think a breakthrough is possible, it is terribly exciting.