When men die, they die in fear", he said. "They take everything they need from you, and as a doctor it is your job to give it, to comfort them, to hold their hand. But children die how they have been living - in hope. They don't know what's happening, so they expect nothing, they don't ask you to hold their hand - but you end up needing them to hold yours. With children, you're on your own. Do you understand?

I think the mythology of death really ran away with me when I was very young.

The dead are celebrated. The dead are loved. They give something to the living. Once you put something into the ground, Doctor, you always know where to find it.

I grew up in Cyprus and Egypt, these fantastic places I remember fondly.

At the end of the day, it's about the reader's attachment to and belief in the magical elements that make or break magical realism.

I am very interested in place, and the influences of place on characters.

A lot of writers that I know have told me that the first book you write, you write about your childhood, whether you want to or not. It calls you back.