It seems to me that you would have to write a novel on a very small, intimate scale for it not to become political.

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

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.

I like the rain before it falls. of course there is no such thing, she said. That's why it's my favorite. Something can still make you happy, can't it, even if it isn't real.

The more melancholy side of my literary personality is much in tune with BS Johnson's.

For many weeks after [my wife] died, I could not get used to the feeling of coldness and lifelessness on her side of the bed - and it was even worse when they took the body away and buried her.

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