Philosophers are divided on the question of whether the narrative therein unfolded [the Crossman Diaries] is grippingly boring or boringly gripping.

A sense of humour is common sense dancing.

Humphrey Searle writes music that sounds like the theme from 'Star Wars' played backwards through a washing machine.

Little books are the things to write at my age, I've decided. Avoid the big ones, go for the little ones.

I won't have to miss smoking any more. Nobody smokes where I'm going: It's like a row of restaurants in California.

Even in moments of tranquility, Murray Walker sounds like a man whose trousers are on fire.

Twin miracles of mascara, her eyes looked like the corpses of two small crows that had crashed into a chalk cliff.