To be misunderstood can be the writer's punishment for having disturbed the reader's peace. The greater the disturbance, the greater the possibility of misunderstanding.

When friends stop being frank and useful to each other, the whole world loses some of its radiance.

Either a writer doesn't want to talk about his work, or he talks about it more than you want.

A book is meant not only to be read, but to haunt you, to importune you like a lover or a parent, to be in your teeth like a piece of gristle.

If a book is really good, it deserves to be read again, and if it's great, it should be read at least three times.

The moment a book is lent I begin to miss it.

Aphorisms are bad for novels. They stick in the reader's teeth.