What really fascinates me is this need that is so strong now that if you read a work of the imagination you instantly have to say, 'Oh, what this really is is so-and-so,' reducing it to a simple formula.

There are no laws for the novel. There never have been, nor can there ever be.

For she was of that generation who, having found nothing in religion, had formed themselves through literature.

Hitler admired Stalin, quite properly seeing himself as a mere infant in crime compared to his great exemplar.

I never thought of London in terms of possible heroes - of course, there are thousands. It's a very talented city.

I treasure solitude. One doesn't have to have human contact.

Africa gives you the knowledge that man is a small creature, among other creatures, in a large landscape.