Being constantly with children was like wearing a pair of shoes that were expensive and too small. She couldn't bear to throw them out, but they gave her blisters.

Well, I woke up one morning around Christmas, went as far as the shops, and when I got to the corner I felt this violent pain in me left leg. I mentioned it to my daughter and she took me instantly to the hospital. It turned out it was vasculitis. In other words, you can have your leg off.

Once the grammar has been learned, writing is simply talking on paper and in time learning what not to say.

The sun burnt on, drugging everything with warmth.

The older one becomes the quicker the present fades into sepia and the past looms up in glorious technicolour

There is nothing more guaranteed to reduce a man to the essentials than to live beneath the sky.

The vital accessories to my work are my reference books, such as the complete Shakespeare and a prayer book, and a large refuse bin.