I can't see or feel the conflict between love and religion. To me, they're the same thing.

Style is the thing that's always a bit phony, and at the same time you cannot write without style.

If a theme or idea is too near the surface, the novel becomes simply a tract illustrating an idea.

... any fictionis bound to be transposed autobiography.

For people who live on expectations, to face up to their realization is something of an ordeal.

Jane Austen, much in advance of her day, was a mistress of the use of the dialogue. She used it as dialogue should be used-to advance the story; not only to show the characters, but to advance.

Ireland is a great country to die or be married in.