I put it to you that there are no British poets, there are no British novelists. I have heard myself described as one, but I think really I'm an English novelist; there are Scottish poets and Scottish novelists. Ian Mcewan britishenglishhear share on social
Now, I'm an atheist. I really don't believe for a moment that our moral sense comes from a god. Ian Mcewan atheistgodmoment Change image and share on social
We overvalue the arts in relation to the sciences. Ian Mcewan artovervaluerelation Change image and share on social
I was an intimate sort of child who never spoke up in groups. I preferred close friends. Ian Mcewan childclosefriend Change image and share on social
Something is missing in our culture. We can't quite celebrate the scientific literary tradition. Ian Mcewan celebratecultureliterary Change image and share on social
One important theme is the extent to which one can ever correct an error, especially outside any frame of religious forgiveness. All of us have done something we regret - how we manage to remove that from our conscience, or whether that's even possible, interested me. Ian Mcewan consciencecorrecterror share on social
You can spin stories out of the ways people understand and misunderstand each other. Ian Mcewan misunderstandpeoplespin Change image and share on social
You enter a state of controlled passivity, you relax your grip and accept that even if your declared intention is to justify the ways of God to man, you might end up interesting your readers rather more in Satan. Ian Mcewan acceptcontroldeclare share on social
The end of secrecy would be the end of the novel - especially the English novel. The English novel requires social secrecy, personal secrecy. Ian Mcewan endenglishpersonal Change image and share on social
One has to have the courage of one's pessimism. Ian Mcewan couragepessimism Change image and share on social
