I do like people to read the books twice, because I write my novels about ideas which concern me deeply and I think are important, and therefore I want people to take them seriously. And to read it twice of course is taking it seriously.

I suppose I'd have to say that my favourite author is Homer. After Homer's Ilaid, I'd name The Odyssey, and then I'd mention a number of plays of Euripides.

Art is partly communication, but only partly. The rest is discovery.

Only one novel is a novel: that is a successful novel.

The candle-buds opened their wide white flowers....Their scent spilled out into the air and took possession of the island.

I don't think they [contemporary writers] read me either. I mean, if we're concerned genuinely with writing, I think we probably get on with our work.

I think women are foolish to pretend they are equal to men, they are far superior and always have been.