My sister-in-law believes that few narratives are so tightly constructed that you can't skip boring bits and still keep abreast of what's going on.

Every generation of children has its private hero.

After you've read a novel, you only retain a vague memory of its contents. You remember the atmosphere, the odd image or phrase or vivid cameo.

Ninety-eight per cent of laughter is nothing to do with jokes, which do not deserve to bear the weight of all the funny stuff in the world.

I couldn't really see the point of having lunch unless it started at 1:00 and ended a week later in Monte Carlo.

It is more interesting to be compared to someone famous, because it lets you gauge what perceptions people have about your appearance.

I find it hilarious that there are academics who try to analyse chemical changes in the brains of students while exposing them to gags.