When dad told me Mr Steptoe had passed away, I broke down.

I was shot down by a fifth ball, which struck me squarely in the face, and passed out.

I thought it was something peculiar to me. I thought I was abnormal.

I can't pick out one single book that had such a profound personal impact.

The Dancing Girls of Lahore was offered to dozens of British publishers and was turned down by everyone. It is still on offer in the U.K., but I'm not confident there will be any takers.

When my mother passed away I was 20.