[My maternal grandmother ] was a teacher in London and elsewhere during the war, although the children she taught were not the "lost children" who feature in the novel - those come from my research.

So when I say that I am a refugee, you must understand that there is no refuge.

A scar is never ugly. That is what the scar makers want us to think. A scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived.

Looking after a very sick child was the Olympics of parenting.

A scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived.

At some point you just have to turn around and face your life head on.

Our own personal brand of courage - in relationships, in conflict, in our principles ­ - is as unique as our fingerprints.

I’m telling you, trouble is like the ocean. It covers two thirds of the world.

I could not stop talking because now I had started my story, it wanted to be finished. We cannot choose where to start and stop. Our stories are the tellers of us.

We must see all scars as beauty. Okay? This will be our secret. Because take it from me, a scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, 'I survived'.

It is certainly impossible to imagine forgiving the enemy while their animus remains undefeated.

Dragons were dangerous in the sky. Of course, they were dangerous on the ground too. Just less dangerous. In the same way that a sword is less dangerous so long as it’s pointed at someone else.

Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.

However painful the process of leaving home, for parents and for children, the really frightening thing for both would be the prospect of the child never leaving home.

Fabulous place, Dublin is. The trouble is, you work hard and in Dublin you play hard as well.

I thought I knew who you were, but I see now you were a lesson to learn, and all I am to you now is a bridge that’s been burned.

One can summon courage and fortitude to face tragedy; irritations and frustrations are a cloud of mosquitoes that nip and sting and drive one frantic.

During much of my life, I was anxious to be what someone else wanted me to be. Now I have given up that struggle. I am what I am.

There is nothing in this world that does not have a decisive moment.

The whole family is tight. We all really love each other.

How was your flight? Well, aeronautically it was a great success. Socially, it left quite a bit to be desired.