No one wants a masterpiece knocking around when your own book is looking for attention.

Like most men, I'm a life support system for a phallus.

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.

Ultimately, it's about the quality of the writing whatever style you are writing.

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.

I never could get a proper job.

New York City has fantastic restaurants and, unlike London, a lot of the best restaurants are relatively cheap.

The impossible lives next door to the possible people ring its door bell by accident all the time.

It's what the reader thinks that counts.

Once you've been backstage at a theater, the theater is never the same for you. Once you've noticed the crack in the vase, the vase is never the same for. Once you've seen a friend do something appalling, the friendship is never the same. That does not mean you won't go to the theater, or keep the vase or the friend. You can choose.

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.

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

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

Even those with unspendable fortunes only have one mind, one mouth, two ears, two eyes and one pleasure station. There's only so much fun you can take.

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