The People Look Forbidding, Solemn, Marked By

Like Childhood, Old Age Is Irresponsible, Reckless, And Foolhardy. Children And Old People Have Everything To Gain And Nothing Much To Lose. It's Middle-age Which Is Cursed By The Desperate Need To Cling To Some Finger-hold Halfway Up The Mountain, To Conform, Not To Cause Trouble, To Behave Well.

Never Shake Hands With Colleagues In Court; The Customers Think You're Making Deals.

Never Believe A Rumour Until You Hear It Officially Denied.

What Obsesses A Writer Starting Out On A Lifetime's Work Is The Panic-stricken Search For A Voice Of His Own.

On The Three Pigs He And His Wife Own: "we Acquired The Pigs Last Year. My Wife Was Born On A Pig Farm And Has Always Been Very Fond Of Pigs. Of Course, They Are For Eating, Which Is Why They Are Named Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner. You Wouldn’t Want To Eat Rufus, Marcus And Esmeralda.