The writer I feel the most affinity with - you said you felt my books are 19th century novels, I think they're 18th century novels - is Fielding, Henry Fielding, he's the guy who does it for me.

But you can try to read books at the wrong time or for the wrong reasons.

Some people don't realize that a straight 'No' can be the kindest answer in the world.

I'm one of those unlucky people who had a happy childhood.

Thatcherism has become bigger than she ever was.

Objectivity is just male subjectivity.

I like the idea of a big caesura between the narratives, a space which readers can fill in with their own speculative history.