Lonely's like any other organism; competitive and resourceful in the struggle to perpetuate itself.

The past was suddenly rushing in on me in a way I found hard to fight.

I don't think you ever understand your life - not till it's finished and probably not then either. The more I live the less I seem to understand.

It's better to have a malign providence than an indifferent one.

People never explain to you exactly what they think and feel and how their thoughts and feelings work, do they? They don't have time. Or the right words. But that's what books do. It's as though your daily life is a film in the cinema. It can be fun, looking at those pictures. But if you want to know what lies behind the flat screen you have to read a book. That explains it all.

I never for a moment considered killing myself, because it wouldn't have achieved anything.

This intimacy is not necessary; no one is compelling me to open my inmost self and lay it naked, undefended, against that of another – merely for the joy of the communion.