When I was a child I had a best friend who lived across the road from me. When her mother died unexpectedly it was like losing a member of my own family. I think I am still affected by the memory of that loss.

I've never actually been a fighter myself - fighting tires me out and I'm not an efficient fighter anyway - but I have certainly seen other people have great complicated goes at one another.

At the same time, I think books create a sort of network in the reader's mind, with one book reinforcing another. Some books form relationships. Other books stand in opposition. No two writers or readers have the same pattern of interaction.

You can't say you want things to be simple and then in the next breath ask me to be honest.

People can say what they like about the eternal verities, love and truth and so on, but nothing's as eternal as the dishes.

It changes you for ever, but you are changing for ever anyway.

Fear can give you urgent wings.