It's what the reader thinks that counts.

It's true, some senior Hungarian writers are not known for their laughter. There is a strong Germanic influence - an attitude that if it's enjoyable it can't possibly be literature.

Criticism is part of being in the marketplace. If you can't take a bit of criticism, you shouldn't bother publishing a book.

Few pleasures are greater than knowing you can close your door, ignore the world and create your own.

The greatest danger of being gifted, is that you may never learn how to make an effort.

The way British publishing works is that you go from not being published no matter how good you are, to being published no matter how bad you are.

I went to a British Council event a while back and there were lots of German professors of literature. About half of them were convinced I had a German sense of humour and the other half were sure it was British. They are probably still arguing about it now.