My childhood was surrounded by books and writing. From a very early age I was fascinated by storytelling, by the printed word, by language, by ideas. So I would seek them out.

There are worse prisons than words.

I decided that my existence would be one of books and silence.

Old age is the lubricant of belief. When death knocks at the door, skepticism flies out the window. A serious cardiovascular fright and a person will even believe in Little Red Riding Hood.

It's curious how easy it is to tell a piece of paper what you don't dare say to someone's face.

That's what happens when people reach old age; nobody remembers they've been bastards too.

You young people never say anything. And us old folks don't know how to stop talking.