Remember Graham Green's dictum that childhood is the bank balance of the writer? I think that all writers feel alienated. Most of us go back to an alienated childhood in some way or another. I know that I do.

Quote by John Le Carre

Topics: John Le Carre Quotes

Thank heaven, though, one of the few mistakes I haven't made is to talk about...

Thank heaven, though, one of the few mistakes I haven't made is to talk about...

I'm really a library man, or second-hand book man.

I'm really a library man, or second-hand book man.

People who've had very unhappy childhoods are pretty good at inventing themselves. If nobody invents...

People who've had very unhappy childhoods are pretty good at inventing themselves. If nobody invents...

A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.

A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.

You should have died when I killed you

You should have died when I killed you

We have learned in recent years to translate almost all of political life in terms...

We have learned in recent years to translate almost all of political life in terms...

I've always had difficulties with female characters.

I've always had difficulties with female characters.

Writing is like walking in a deserted street. Out of the dust in the street...

Writing is like walking in a deserted street. Out of the dust in the street...

I don't think that there are very many good writers who don't live without a...

I don't think that there are very many good writers who don't live without a...

For better or worse, I've been involved in the description of political conflict.

For better or worse, I've been involved in the description of political conflict.

Betrayal can only happen if you love.

Betrayal can only happen if you love.

A committee is an animal with four back legs.

A committee is an animal with four back legs.

In the last 15 or 20 years, I've watched the British press simply go to...

In the last 15 or 20 years, I've watched the British press simply go to...

I am still making order out of chaos by reinvention.

I am still making order out of chaos by reinvention.

There are some subjects that can only be tackled in fiction.

There are some subjects that can only be tackled in fiction.

Americans believe that if you know something, you should do something about it.

Americans believe that if you know something, you should do something about it.

Until we have a better relationship between private performance and the public truth, as was...

Until we have a better relationship between private performance and the public truth, as was...

I don't know whether it's age or maturity, but I certainly find myself committed more...

I don't know whether it's age or maturity, but I certainly find myself committed more...

During the Cold War, we lived in coded times when it wasn't easy and there...

During the Cold War, we lived in coded times when it wasn't easy and there...

By the age of 9 or 10, I knew that I had to cut my...

By the age of 9 or 10, I knew that I had to cut my...