The more melancholy side of my literary personality is much in tune with BS Johnson's.

I like the rain before it falls. of course there is no such thing, she said. That's why it's my favorite. Something can still make you happy, can't it, even if it isn't real.

I'm one of those unlucky people who had a happy childhood.

The writer I feel the most affinity with - you said you felt my books are 19th century novels, I think they're 18th century novels - is Fielding, Henry Fielding, he's the guy who does it for me.

Objectivity is just male subjectivity.

You would go mad if you began to speculate about the impact your novel might have while you were still writing it.

Writers never feel comfortable having labels attached to them, however accurate they are.

Contemporary Britain seems an endlessly fascinating place to me - but if I knew a little bit more about other places, and other times, maybe it wouldn't.

Some people don't realize that a straight 'No' can be the kindest answer in the world.

Ah, well, I have no talent for nonfiction, that's my problem.

For many weeks after [my wife] died, I could not get used to the feeling of coldness and lifelessness on her side of the bed - and it was even worse when they took the body away and buried her.

Do you know the opportunity you get when you fail? It is starting again - an opportunity to perform better.

No rain but thunder, and the sound of giants.

Those who can do those who can't teach and those who can do neither administer.

The only things that are really permanent are love, family, friendship, and that is a lesson. At the end of the day, that's really what it boils down to. The rest of it is just stuff.

You've decided to love me for eternity, I'm still deciding who I want to be today.

I don't like rehearsal.

The brain is wider than the sky, For, put them side by side, The one the other will include With ease, and you beside.

I'm afraid of animals.

Alice: I don’t love you anymore. Goodbye. Dan: Since when? Alice: Now. Just now.

It would be great if people never got angry at someone for doing something they've done themselves.