A horse herd was, in its very essence, the manifestation of the expression 'It's always something.

Trollope wrote so many novels and other works that they tend to crowd each other out.

Respect and fear are two different things.

Charles Dickens was an avid seeker of names - he read directories and looked for odd names on gravestones.

Another thing I learned is that novels, even those from apparently distant times and places, remain current and enlightening, and also comforting.

I have reared, or helped to rear, five children and the scariest bit, bar none, is the learning to drive part. It has filled me with anxiety not only about the children, but also about my former self and my friends.

Good intentions are wicked! As far as I can see, all they lead to are lies and delusions.