Authors, she soon decided, were probably best met within the pages of their novels, and were as much creatures of the reader's imagination as the characters in their books. Nor did they seem to think one had done them a kindness by reading their writings. Rather they had done one the kindness by writing them.

Life is generally something that happens elsewhere.

At eighty things do not occur; they recur.

I was an only child. I lost both my parents. By the time I was twenty I was bald. I'm homosexual. In the way of circumstances and background to transcend I had everything an artist could possibly want. It was practically a blueprint.

A book is a device to ignite the imagination.

History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men. What is history? History is women following behind with the bucket.

Above literature?' said the Queen. 'Who is above literature? You might as well say one was above humanity.