I never even dreamt of being a writer because I didn't feel allowed. When I was a child I was terribly ambitious,… — Amelie Nothomb Ambitious Copy Share Image
I've noticed it a lot. I'm not someone who revises. It's always the first movement, it's that. It's an instinct. Either it… — Amelie Nothomb Firsts Copy Share Image
“Look around you and look at yourself: the world is swarming with assassins, that is, people who allow themselves to forget those… — Amélie Nothomb Memory Copy Share Image
“All forms of beauty are poignant, Japanese beauty particularly so. That lily-white complexion, those mellow eyes, the inimitable shape of the nose,… — Amélie Nothomb Beauty Copy Share Image
Luckily I haven't fallen into the trap, which has claimed so many writers, of living from day to day thinking 'Ah, I'll… — Amelie Nothomb Book Copy Share Image
“I had always been alone and wouldn't have minded if it had been a matter of choice. It never had been. I… — Amélie Nothomb Copy Share Image
When I want to be incognito, I don't wear any hat. Unfortunately, even without the hat, they now recognise me in Paris. — Amelie Nothomb Hats Copy Share Image
“Behind every work of art lies the enormous pretension of exhibiting one's vision of the world. If such obvious arrogance is not… — Amélie Nothomb Arrogance Copy Share Image
“No es que la belleza literaria no exista: sólo que es una experiencia tan incomunicable como los encantos de la Dulcinea para… — Amélie Nothomb Copy Share Image
“Ancient Japanese protocol stipulated that the Emperor be addressed with "fear and trembling". I've always loved the expression, which so perfectly describes… — Amélie Nothomb Fear Copy Share Image
“Every existence contains its primal trauma, an event dividing life into a before and an after, a trauma so great that even… — Amélie Nothomb Life Copy Share Image
I eat in a strange way, but I enjoy it. Everything became well when I finally understood that I enjoy being hungry.… — Amelie Nothomb Enjoy Copy Share Image
“There is only one way to overcome the difficulty of writing, and that is to write. Thought only becomes effective and productive… — Amélie Nothomb Time Copy Share Image
“Water beneath me, water above me, water in me--I was water. How appropriate that the one definition of the Japanese character for… — Amelie Nothomb Flowing river Copy Share Image
I will never be one of the happy stupid that were born somewhere. This way of life is excellent for the imagination.… — Amelie Nothomb Being Copy Share Image
“If a writer manages to be fascinating about his own novels, then there are only two possibilities: either he is merely voicing… — Amélie Nothomb Book Copy Share Image
“El hambre epistolar es un arte, y yo aspiro a alcanzar la excelencia.” — Amélie Nothomb Copy Share Image
“Are the rules more important to you than friendship?” “ ‘Friendship’ is a strong word. I’d prefer ‘good relationship between colleagues.’ ”… — Amélie Nothomb Friendship Copy Share Image
“In fond, oamenii nu citesc; daca citesc, nu pricep; daca pricep, uita.” — Amélie Nothomb Copy Share Image
