Sylvie's knowledge, like Izzie's, was random yet far-ranging, 'The sign that one has acquired one's learning from reading novels rather than an education.

He was born a politician. No, Ursula thought, he was born a baby, like everyone else. And this is what he has chosen to become.

I spent four years doing a doctorate in postmodern American literature. I can recognize it when I see it.

If you don't have a unique voice, then you're not really a writer.

Everyone said, 'Well, you're very old for a first novel,' and I said, 'How do you write when you haven't lived? How do you write when you have no experience? How do you write straight out of university?

Alternate history fascinates me, as it fascinates all novelists, because 'What if?' is the big thing.

Become such as you are, having learned what that is.