When I think of Hungarian films, I think of despair and bleakness, and what's more, despair and bleakness of indefensible duration.

Outside their country, Hungarian directors have had, from the critics at least, a friendly reception.

It's true, some senior Hungarian writers are not known for their laughter. There is a strong Germanic influence - an attitude that if it's enjoyable it can't possibly be literature.

Because my name is Hungarian, everyone assumed I knew about Hungary. I didn't. They also assumed that if you knew about Hungary, you also knew about the rest of Eastern Europe.

I think the degree of alienation and despair is more universal.

Most books reviews aren't very well-written. They tend to be more about the reviewer than the book.