Ben Okri: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? — FLAPSS

The question

What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

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Ben Okri

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

“You don’t stand a chance of succeeding as a writer in this country. The demographics are against you.” They were wrong. The only demographic that counts is the human heart.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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“Try this, you’ll love it.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 June 2025 source ↗

A lady came up to me in Tesco last year and said, “Excuse me, but didn’t you used to be Roger McGough?”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 January 2026 source ↗

Penny Lancaster

An English teacher said, “You’ll never make anything of yourself.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 September 2025 source ↗

A fellow artist called me a flaneur!

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 June 2026 source ↗

More from Ben Okri

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Question What would you most want to leave your children? Death & what remains

The wisdom to become who they are in the truth of their spirit.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2026 source ↗

Question What is the worst job you have ever had? Craft & work

Looking after the flowerbed on my windowsill.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2026 source ↗

Question Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? Money & investment

A Dalí painting.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2026 source ↗

Question What do you believe happens when we die? Death & what remains

We don’t die. We change realms. Life is eternal. Living is not. Live while you are alive.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2026 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

On a train journey to Arcadia many years ago while making a TV documentary.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2026 source ↗

Question What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

Not being there for my daughter.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2026 source ↗

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