American literature has always been immigrant.

All art began as sacred art, you know? I mean, all painting began as religious painting. All writing began as religious writing.

Even when things are at their worst, there's a little voice in your head saying, 'Good story!'

Whores and writers, Mahound. We are the people you can't forgive.

What I've always seen in writers and artists is the courage it takes to make an original work of art. I think the real risks in literature are linguistic and intellectual, and I hope we can highlight those, as well as political courage.

I don't think I've ever quite grown out of it, actually. There was a point where I could recite some of those Elvish verses - which I've mercifully forgotten. But I can still, if really pushed, recite the text of the inside of the ruling ring in the language of Mordor.

Terror is glamour - not only, but also. I am firmly convinced that there's something like a fascination with death among suicide bombers.