This is the point. One technology doesn't replace another, it complements. Books are no more threatened by Kindle than stairs by elevators.

The English language is like London: proudly barbaric yet deeply civilised, too, common yet royal, vulgar yet processional, sacred yet profane.

Estate agents: like them or loathe them, you'd be mad not to loathe them.

Homosexuals are not interested in making other people homosexuals. Homophobes are interested in making other people homophobes.

I've never had any illusions about being a lead actor in films, because lead actors have to be of a certain kind.

Literature is the only access to truth we have on this planet.

I shouldn't be saying this, high treason really, but I sometimes wonder if Americans aren't fooled by our accent into detecting a brilliance that may not really be there.