I don't think I'm an unkind person, I don't think my books are unkind, and I don't think my readers are unkind.

If you are lucky, you have your moment. But it is never more than a moment. You have to enjoy it while it lasts.

The movies are funny, in one way, because you think of everyone being as beautiful as the dawn, but that isn't true.

Vulgarity is no substitute for wit.

We are usually undone by our lack of understanding of ourselves.

In my defence I can only say that her past, too, like mine, like everyone's in fact, was a locked box. Occasionally we allow people a peep, but generally only at the top level. The darker streams of our memories we negotiate alone.

The business of life is learning that you can't lay down the terms.