I resist when someone calls me a novelist: it implies some kind of inherent superiority of the novel. I'm not a novelist, I'm a writer. Aleksandar Hemon callimplyinherent Change image and share on social
When I came to America, I was already a writer, already published in Bosnia. I was planning to go back, but I had no choice but to stay here after the civil war, so I enrolled at Northwestern in a master's program and studied American literature. Aleksandar Hemon americaamericanback share on social
Our daughter was born in Chicago, and she's already showing it. The temperature has to be approaching zero for her to wear a hat. Aleksandar Hemon approachbearchicago Change image and share on social
A particular piece of music attaches itself to the piece I'm writing, and there is nothing else I can listen to. Every day I return to the same space to write, the music providing both the walls and the pictures on the walls. Aleksandar Hemon attachedaylisten share on social
I really don't feel that any of the pieces I wrote were confessions; there are no revelations about secrets in my life, and actually I have nothing to confess and I certainly do not ask for redemption and there is no reward for confessing that I expect. Aleksandar Hemon confessconfessionexpect share on social
The privilege of a middle-class, stable, bourgeois life is that you can pretend that you are not complicated and project yourself as a solid, uncomplicated person, with refined life goals and achievements. Aleksandar Hemon achievementbourgeoisclass share on social
I did not intend to stay; I had no experience in the United States - I may have been here less than 24 hours - but I knew I would never get inside there. And 'there' not being America necessarily, but that harmonious mode of living that some people are lucky enough to have in this country. Aleksandar Hemon americacountryexperience share on social
I wish I could avoid the people who have threatened me. My favorite threat is that I will be thrown in the River Miljacka, which is at most knee-deep, with my feet bound in cement. Aleksandar Hemon avoidbindcement Change image and share on social
I cannot stand that whole game of confession, that is: Here I have sinned, now I'm confessing my sins, and describing my path of sin and then in the act of confession I beg for your forgiveness and redemption. Aleksandar Hemon actbegconfess share on social