You say to yourself: 'What could people, in all these countries, find in my books?' and yet I think we're all the same, anywhere. Everybody is a hero or a dramatic person in their own story if you just know where to look.

I'm an escapist kind of writer.

I've had a good life, full of more success and happiness than I ever expected.

I've been very lucky and I have a happy old age with good family and friends still around.

My memory of my home was that it was very happy, and that there was more fun and life there than there was anywhere else.

I have always believed that life is too short for rows and disagreements. Even if I think I'm right, I would prefer to apologize and remain friends rather than win and be an enemy.

I'm mainly an airport author, and if you're trying to take your mind off the journey, you're not going to read 'King Lear.'