I'm really not responsible for what mental operation people have when they're reading my books other than the ones which are created by literary effects.
Edward St AubynLooking after children can be a subtle way of giving up... They become the whole ones, the well ones, the postponement of happiness, the ones who won't drink too much, give up, get divorced, become mentally ill. The part of oneself that's fighting against decay and depression is transferred to guarding them from decay and depression. In the meantime one decays and gets depressed.
Edward St AubynThe whole Melrose series is an attempt to tell the truth, and is based on the idea that there is some salutary or liberating power in telling the truth.
Edward St AubynEverything was usual. That was depression: being stuck, clinging to an out-of-date version of oneself.
Edward St Aubyn