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I must confess, my Spanish is not so good - except I read a little, so I started with the English but then determined that it would have to be in Spanish.

When I started writing, the first thing that came out was in English. I liked a few French things, but they were very overwhelming.

I grew up Spanish, so I grew up watching a lot of novellas.

I could never see a book written in a foreign language without the most ardent desire to read it.

I'm a professor of comparative literature, among other things, so I'm able to read in a couple of other languages, and I understand that not everyone is, not everyone can, although it is quite stunning how many people do read Spanish in the United States, but moving between languages is also extremely helpful.

I wish more Italian literature were translated and read in English. I've discovered so many extraordinary and diverse writers: Lalla Romano, Carlo Cassola. Beppe Fenoglio, Giorgio Manganelli, just to name a few.

I took Spanish in high school and I didn't do too well in it. My Spanish teacher told me not to go on with Spanish anymore, so I was discouraged a little bit.

I learned French before I learned Spanish.

When a French book becomes an international hit it is because of the author and not because of the language. The same goes for movies.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez is one of my all-time favorite writers. I feel spiritual when reading his words, even though they're translated. I wish desperately that I could read it in its original language. I already feel like I'm going to church when I read him; imagine if I could read it in the original.