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Sadly, my German is almost non-existent, although I did a little at school.

I actually speak fluent German. And I live in Vienna, and I'm married to a Viennese woman.

I speak some French, Spanish, a little German and Gaelic.

Yes, I tried to change the classical style in a way that people who don't understand it can enjoy.

I'm into all things German. Everything that I own is German. As far as cars go, anyway.

I started formal piano training when I was 4. From there I had little violas, and I had dancing lessons of every sort and description, and painting lessons. I had German. And shorthand.

I do that in whatever language of the country I'm in, because the audience appreciate it.

I did that all the more, if I may say so, because I was aware of the fact that there is an inclination to go to extremes in German people, and in the German character generally.

I write in the most classical French because this form is necessary for my novels: to translate the murky, floating, unsettling atmosphere I wanted them to have, I had to discipline it into the clearest, most traditional language possible.