There is a German word, Sehnsucht, which has no English equivalent; it means 'the longing for something'. It has Romantic and mystical connotations; C.S. Lewis defined it as the 'inconsolable longing' in the human heart for 'we know not what'. It seems rather German to be able to specify the unspecifiable. The longing for something - or, in our case, for someone.

Why does the writing make us chase the writer? Why can't we leave well enough alone? Why aren't the books enough?

The spring of 1930 marks the end of a period of grave concern...American business is steadily coming back to a normal level of prosperity.

Because love is the meeting point of truth and magic. Truth, as in photography; magic, as in ballooning.

Reading is a majority skill but a minority art. Yet nothing can replace the exact, complicated, subtle communion between absent author and entranced, present reader.

When you are writing fiction your task is to reflect the fullest complications of the world

A pier is a disappointed bridge; yet stare at it for long enough and you can dream it to the other side of the Channel.