There are many similarities between Germans and blacks. The nouns themselves are loaded with so much historical baggage it's impossible for anyone to be indifferent to the simple mention of either group. We're two insightful people looking for reasons to love ourselves; and let's not forget we both love pork and wear sandals with socks.

I think, and a lot of that has to do with where I grew up in California; [status] isn't something I think about that much.

I'm hugely honored [with the Man Booker Prize].

My dad fought in Korea. It was one of the first stories I remember hearing about.

The Sellout is about friends and relatives who have touched me in real ways.

I'm doing all these interviews with the British press, the Italian press, and others. They all want to talk about this stuff. I don't have a stance; I don't have a go-to thing to say about any of this.

I don't write to put it in a drawer, I hope that people see it.