What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being surrounded by wonderful company ... or being totally alone.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Philip II of Spain.

Which living person do you most admire?

It might sound strange, but it would be my mother.

What is your favorite journey?

From Seville to Granada on secondary roads, in April, with the smell of orange blossoms in the air.

On what occasion do you lie?

Only in extremis—to help someone in deep trouble. What we call in Spain una pequeña mentira piadosa.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?

My white hair, but I will never, ever dye it.

Which living person do you most despise?

Mmm, there are too many.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My newest dog, Serafin.

Which talent would you most like to have?

To be able to organize a near-perfect government.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would love to be more patient. In fact, I would love to be patient.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?

Nothing—they are my family.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

Luchino Visconti, the great film director.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?

A Chinese opera singer.

What is your most treasured possession?

My little traveling silver frame with a photograph of my friend Tina.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Feeling helpless when faced by human suffering.

What is your most marked characteristic?

My mind works too rapidly.

Who are your favorite writers?

Giuseppe Tommasi di Lampedusa, Guillermo Cabrera Infante, Ramon del Valle-Inclán, Gore Vidal.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

Sancho Panza.

What is it that you most dislike?

Rudeness and hypocrisy.

What is your motto?

"Keep going, no matter what."