“I write about the period 1933-42, and I read books written during thos...” — Alan Furst Quote

“I write about the period 1933-42, and I read books written during those years: books by foreign correspondents of the time, histories of the time written contemporaneously or just afterwards, autobiographies and biographies of people who were there, present-day histories of the period, and novels written during those times.”

“I look for the dark story, where something secret was done. I read and read and pick up the trail of a true story. I use nothing but true stories. They are so much better than phony ones.”

“I'm interested in telling stories about characters that are interesting and who are challenging in some way, one that will make you think about them afterwards.”

“I can't put my mind to anything else. I'm not interested in hanging out or partying. For me, it's all about the pitch: training, playing. But even when I go home, afterwards, it's football the whole time. I think I'm obsessed!”

“The bravest person I've ever met was a young boy going through massive amounts of treatment for a very rare, complex and unpleasant disease. I last saw him at a Discworld convention, where he chose to take part in a game as an assassin. He died not long afterwards, and I wish I had his fortitude and sense of style.”