Long books, when read, are usually overpraised, because the reader wishes to convince others and himself that he has not wasted his time.

Unless we remember we cannot understand.

Human beings have their great chance in the novel.

Let us think of people as starting life with an experience they forget and ending it with one which they anticipate but cannot understand.

We move between two darknesses.

Expansion. That is the idea the novelist must cling to. Not completion. Not rounding off, but opening out.

we may say that History develops, Art stands still

Lack can greatly be the reason for our conscious and unconscious steps in life. Mind what you lack, move for what is a must and be happy with what you have!

Do not mistake a child for his symptom.

For computer communications, computers talk in little bursts. They're not continuous like speech.

The best advice on writing I've ever received was from William Zinsser: 'Be grateful for every word you can cut.'

Even in Britain, the trade unions tell me that employment contracts have less protection than in the past.

England and Greece are friends. English blood was shed on Greek soil in the war against fascism, and Greeks gave their lives to protect English pilots.

I grew up Catholic. I'm not religious now but I would say that I'm a very spiritual person and you're always in search of answers.

I was managing editor for a while [in National Lampoon ], and it does cause business problems when your circulation goes up.

When people meet me they’re often surprised. I talk a great deal.