I remember when I was writing ‘The Tin Drum,’ I had the totally misguided idea of giving Oskar Matzerath a sister, and he just wouldn’t have it. There was no space for a sister, yet I had the character of the sister in my head. In fact I used her in later novels, in ‘Cat and Mouse’ and ‘Dog Years,’ Tulla Pokriski. Gunter Grass Read Quote
Lies that do not hurt, which are different from lies that protect oneself or hurt another person. That is not my business. But the truth is mostly very boring, and you can help it along with lies. There is no harm in that. Gunter Grass Read Quote
I catch myself judging myself as that 13-year-old boy, who, of course, rightfully points out that he is only a child. And my membership – well, I was drafted into the Waffen-SS and didn’t exactly volunteer, which was just as idiotic. I wanted to be on the submarines and then ended up with the Waffen-SS. Gunter Grass Read Quote
My sister and I did not have our own rooms, or even a place to ourselves. In the living room, beyond the two windows, was a little corner where my books were kept, and other thing – my watercolors and so on. Often I had to imagine the things I needed. I learned very early to read amidst noise. Gunter Grass Read Quote
My relationship with Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm reaches far back into my childhood. I grew up with Grimm’s fairy tales. I even saw a theater production of ‘Tom Thumb’ during Advent at the State Theater in Danzig, which my mother took me to see. Gunter Grass Read Quote
I have often supported Israel, I have often visited the country and want the country to exist and at last find peace with its neighbours. Gunter Grass Read Quote
When I am working on an epic-length book, the writing process is fairly long. It takes from four to five years to get through all the drafts. The book is done when I am exhausted. Gunter Grass Read Quote
I don’t believe in writing at night because it comes too easily. When I read it in the morning it’s not good. I need daylight to begin. Between nine and ten o’clock I have a long breakfast with reading and music. Gunter Grass Read Quote
I have heard my fill of hurtful words. I think it’s especially egregious when citizens like me, who point out abuses in their country, are referred to as ‘do-gooders.’ This is how a phrase that can be used to stop an argument dead becomes part of common usage. Gunter Grass Read Quote
