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
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 know some of my memories are made up and they are far more powerful than the things that actually happened. For example, I always remember my brother posting me a copy of 'Dubliners' from Africa, but he says he never did. John Banville africabrothercopy share on social
Doing what you do well is death. Your duty is to keep trying to do things that you don't do well, in the hope of learning. John Banville deathdutyhope Change image and share on social
Writers are just like other people, except slightly more obsessed. John Banville obsesspeopleslightly Change image and share on social
I'd given up Catholicism in my teens but something of it stays with me. I try to create the perfect sentence - that's as close to godliness as I can get. John Banville catholicismclosecreate Change image and share on social
When I say I don't like my own work, that doesn't mean it isn't better than everyone else's. John Banville work Change image and share on social
We artists love to talk tough, but we're just as sentimental as everyone else when it comes down to it. John Banville artistlovesentimental Change image and share on social
Life is tragic but it's equally comic. John Banville comicequallylife Change image and share on social
My work is frequently described as cold, which is baffling, since it seems to me embarrassingly, shame-makingly, scandalously warm. I find my work filled with sentiment, and I can't imagine why people find it cold. John Banville bafflecoldembarrassingly share on social
