Humans have changed little over time. We think we've invented the modern world but they were making better speeches 2,000 years ago and grappling with issues of empire and terrorism. Robert Harris 000agochange Change image and share on social
I think a lot of us feel, when we look at the Dow Jones plunging, alienated - you do feel as if we're in the grip of some alien force that slipped human control. Robert Harris alienalienatecontrol Change image and share on social
Writers of fiction should stick to writing, not pop up on panel shows or as a talking head. Robert Harris fictionheadpanel Change image and share on social
There's nothing more interesting than the details of someone's life. Robert Harris detailinterestlife Change image and share on social
I am sure future historians will say the biggest and most astonishing change in politics has been the embracing of all the tenets of Thatcherism by the party of Keir Hardie: trade union legislation, Europe, the replacement of Trident, 10 per cent tax for people who have made millions from their companies. Robert Harris astonishbigcent share on social
My parents were interested in history and the world. My father read Graham Greene and Georges Simenon and was a strong trade unionist and Labour supporter. Robert Harris fathergeorgegraham Change image and share on social
First comes an idea. Then, characters begin to evolve out of the landscape of that idea. And then, finally, characters dominate: plot is simply a function of what these people might do or be. Everything has to flow from their personalities; otherwise it will not be emotionally engaging, or plausible. Robert Harris begincharacterdominate share on social
I can't get very excited about the House of Commons these days because I don't feel the power is there. What is really bizarre is that you sense it is not in Washington either. It is now very hard even to locate the levers of power, let alone to pull them and change things. Robert Harris bizarrechangecommon share on social
My literary career was a fluke. Utterly unexpected. Robert Harris careerflukeliterary Change image and share on social
It's when you've stopped writing and are doing other things, especially when you're asleep, that the real work is done. Robert Harris asleephavereal Change image and share on social