It's important to have a non-nostalgic view and say, let's look forward, because if we don't, all we'll hear are voices telling us to go back.

When terrorism strikes, divisive anger is a natural response.

Religion is not something I like to talk about publicly. One reason is the politics, but also I think spirituality is deeply personal.

I actually feel that personal matters, like religion and spirituality, are things that I really discuss only with intimates. I think it's, in a way, like sexuality, something where it touches upon something very private.

I think we should be prepared, given environmental and political change for large-scale migration. If sea levels rise and 200 million people in Bangladesh and 300 million people in Indonesia need to move, and the entire Chinese seaboard, New York City - that's going to be huge.

Novels are make-believe and play for adults.

The gun of the father is always the undoing of the son.