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 never could get a proper job.

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

A public role endures for the literary high-command, as sages and seers, speaking out on social and political issues.

Why is erasing desire seen as so important? If the subjugation of the self is the point of the self what's the point in having a self? It's like someone handing you a leaflet which says throw this leaflet away.

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.

Most books reviews aren't very well-written. They tend to be more about the reviewer than the book.