I don't want to deal with big, grand themes in my stories; art has nothing to do with themes. When you deal with themes, you are not creating; you are lecturing.

Art has nothing to do with politics. It is the freest thing in the world.

I have enough energy to insist on saying what I think.

I am interested in the subject which is Russia.

If there is a pattern, it will come back - maybe in Russia more than anywhere else, because it has collapsed so many times. Maybe less so here in the States, because here the society is so young.

People know that I am a very good author. But they would rather read what I have to say about the next election.