I came from two harsh dictatorships, Nazi and Stalinist. I never thought of becoming a writer as such, yet in a lucid moment, I recognised what I had to do. Imre Kertesz dictatorshipharshlucid Change image and share on social
I was interned in Auschwitz for one year. I didn't bring back anything, except for a few jokes, and that filled me with shame. Then again, I didn't know what to do with this fresh experience. For this experience was no literary awakening, no occasion for professional or artistic introspection. Imre Kertesz artisticauschwitzawaken share on social
I think a man turns into a writer by editing his own texts. Imre Kertesz editmantext Change image and share on social
In a democracy, you have to find a market niche, make sure a novel is 'interesting' and 'spectacular.' That may be the toughest censorship of all. Imre Kertesz censorshipdemocracyfind Change image and share on social
The world of fiction is a sovereign world that comes to life in the author's head and follows the rules of art, of literature. And that is the major difference that is reflected in the form of the work, in its language and its plot. An author invents every aspect of a fiction, every detail. Imre Kertesz artaspectauthor share on social
I have not changed my opinion that the Holocaust is a trauma of European civilization. Imre Kertesz changecivilizationeuropean Change image and share on social
If there is such a thing as freedom, then there is no fate. Imre Kertesz fatefreedomthing Change image and share on social
Modern life is organised so that you benefit at the expense of the other, and the most extreme example of that is a camp. Imre Kertesz benefitcampexpense Change image and share on social