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

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.

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.

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

In markets, stupid action does not have equal but severe opposite reaction.

How bad is it?”“The story is only just now being reported, but let's put it this way, ” HARV said. “The bag is now clearly catless, and there’s a very foul odor coming from the fan.

The doctor has been taught to be interested not in health but in disease. What the public is taught is that health is the cure for disease.

Tomorrow is your future's yesterday.

I've never outgrown my childhood.

In the air we breathe, in the water we drink, in the earth we tread on, Life is every where. Nature lives: every pore is bursting with Life ; every death is only a new birth, every grave a cradle.

Marriage is actually really terrifying. It doesn't work for many people.

The cardinal virtue of a teacher [is] to protect the pupil from his own influence.

Our privacy is starting to be invaded and we can't get anything done. I'm happy with the fundraising but upset we don't have time to talk and meet with people.

It is not fit that every man should travel; it makes a wise man better, and a fool worse.