My first novel, 'John Crow's Devil,' freed me up to write about the past, and 'The Book of Night Women' freed me up to have a book totally based on voice and being very spontaneous. Marlon James basebookcrow Change image and share on social
There was never a single murder in my neighbourhood; there was barely a robbery. It was so suburban, it was almost disappointing. Marlon James barelydisappointmurder Change image and share on social
Not every gay person recites poetry or has read Keats. You can get readers through anything if the characters are complicated. You can't dismiss Josey Wales' quite liberal worldview. Marlon James charactercomplicatedismiss Change image and share on social
We shouldn't romanticize rejection. There's nothing romantic about rejection. It's horrible. Marlon James horriblerejectionromantic Change image and share on social
If reggae comes from another country, you can have the relationship to reggae that I have to rock. But it's something I grew up with. It's probably something I appreciate more now. In the '80s, I was all about New Wave and synth pop - New Order and Depeche Mode and Eurythmics and Michael Jackson and tons and tons and tons of Prince. Marlon James 80scountrydepeche share on social
A lot of time, I'd spell things in standard English instead of phonetically because I want people to understand what's going on. It's also very lyrical, and the great thing about lyrical prose is even when you're not totally sure of the words, you can be swayed by the musicality of it. Marlon James englishgreatlot share on social
I find the violence in PG13 movies unbearable. This kid will never run home, never have another birthday. His death is slow, nightmarish. And you have to explore the consequences - the people who live on with this death. Marlon James birthdayconsequencedeath share on social
I think the Greeks were the only people ever to nail character. Their heroes are deeply flawed. Marlon James characterdeeplyflawed Change image and share on social
I was the nerd. Because I was reading. I wasn't into sports. I was really into art. Very geekish about comics. Assumed gay. Marlon James artassumecomic Change image and share on social
I'm really interested in how non-American countries process race. Marlon James americancountryinterest Change image and share on social