Writing novels preserves you in a state of innocence - a lot passes you by - simply because your attention is otherwise diverted.

Like many rich men, he thought in anecdotes; like many simple women, she thought in terms of biography.

There are moments when you feel free, moments when you have energy, moments when you have hope, but you can't rely on any of these things to see you through. Circumstances do that.

No blame should attach to telling the truth. But it does, it does.

A complete woman is probably not a very admirable creature. She is manipulative, uses other people to get her own way, and works within whatever system she is in.

Dr Weiss, at forty, knew that her life had been ruined by literature.

I am 46, and have been for some time past.