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I was born in London. My parents were Irish. They were country people who had come to England to escape poverty. They weren't educated or sophisticated but they had strong values and a great respect for books.

I learned story telling from my mother. I used to follow her around the house listening to her tales about the life she had left behind in Ireland, the relatives I had never met, their trials and tibulations and, of course, the wickedness of the English landlords.

I was educated by nuns and then by Jesuit priests. They were very frightening figures and they didn't hesitate to resort to corporal punishment. I learnt a great deal from them which I'm very grateful for. But I can't deny that one of the lessons they taught me was the meaning of fear.

I've been writing novels for over twenty years and I hope to continue to do so for another twenty. For me writing is not just a job, it's part of who I am.

I was born in London. My parents were Irish. They were country people who had come to England to escape poverty. They weren't educated or sophisticated but they had strong values and a great respect for books. I learned story telling from my mother. I used to follow her around the house listening to her tales about the life she had left behind in Ireland, the relatives I had never met, their t... More