I live in Dublin, God knows why. There are greatly more congenial places I could have settled in - Italy, France, Manhattan - but I like the climate here, and Irish light seems to be essential for me and for my writing. John Banville climatecongenialdublin share on social
When I started writing, I was a great rationalist and believed I was absolutely in control. But the older one gets, the more confused, and for an artist I think that is quite a good thing: you allow in more of your instinctual self; your dreams, fantasies and memories. It's richer, in a way. John Banville absolutelyartistbelieve share on social
I like ideas. I find them more exciting than human behavior for the most part. John Banville behaviorexcitfind Change image and share on social
When fans of mine meet me, I can see the disappointment in their eyes. Every artist knows of this phenomenon. John Banville artistdisappointmenteye Change image and share on social
I sometimes think that I might be slightly autistic. There might be a syndrome that hasn't been named. I don't seem to see the world in the same way that most people I know see it. They don't seem to be baffled by it. John Banville autisticbafflename share on social
All novels must be autobiographical because I am the only material that I know. All of the characters are me. But at the same time, a novel is never autobiographical even if it describes the life of the author. Literary writing is a completely different medium. John Banville authorautobiographicalcharacter share on social
You can't write about fantasy without being ridiculous. John Banville fantasyridiculouswrite Change image and share on social
I have this fantasy. I'm walking past a bookshop and I click my fingers and all my books go blank. So I can start again and get it right. John Banville blankbookbookshop Change image and share on social
How I envy writers who can work on aeroplanes or in hotel rooms. On the run I can produce an article or a book review, or even a film script, but for fiction I must have my own desk, my own wall with my own postcards pinned to it, and my own window not to look out of. John Banville aeroplanearticlebook share on social
I read Nietzsche when I was a teenager and then I went back to reading him when I was in my thirties, and his voice spoke directly to me. Nietzsche is such a superb literary artist. John Banville artistbackdirectly Change image and share on social