Novels arise out of the shortcomings of History.

I'm more interested in books than people, and I always expect everybody else to be, but they're not.

Where would we be without inhibitions? Theyre quite useful things when you look at some of the things humans do if they lose them.

Literary critics make natural detectives.

You know, it's a truism that writers for children must still be children themselves, deep down, must still feel childish feelings, and a child's surprise at the world.

Mine the long night The secret place Where lovers meet In long embrace In purple dark In silvered kiss Forget the world And grasp your bliss

Cyclists. I really hate them. I wish they would not be so self-righteous and realise they are a danger to pedestrians. I wish cyclists would not vindictively snap off wing mirrors on cars when they were trying to cross in front of the car at a danger to motorists and pedestrians.