It is one of the many merits of this admirable biography of Proust's mother that it invites one to return to the novel with perhaps a fuller understanding of Proust's heredity, hinterland, and upbringing. . . . This fascinating book… — Allan Massie Copy Share Image
Today the crime novelist has one advantage denied to writers of 'straight' or 'literary' novels. Unlike them he can range over all levels of society, for crime can easily breach the barriers that exist in our stratified society. Because of… — Allan Massie Copy Share Image
“The word ‘steward’ derives from the Anglo-Saxon ‘stig’, meaning a hall, and ‘weard’, which is ward, guardian or keeper.” — Allan Massie Copy Share Image
All a writer's characters are imaginary, no matter whether they are based on real people or not. They are people as one imagines them… — Allan Massie Copy Share Image
Do you know what a soldier is, young man? He's the chap who makes it possible for civilized folk to despise war. — Allan Massie Copy Share Image
It is one of the many merits of this admirable biography of Proust's mother that it invites one to return to the novel with… — Allan Massie Copy Share Image
We are responsible for actions performed in response to circumstances for which we are not responsible. — Allan Massie Copy Share Image
“Life is not mathematics, and few things have only one correct answer” — Allan Massie Copy Share Image
“Macbeth was played before the first Stuart king of Great Britain and Ireland, James VI of Scots and I of England, and this scene… — Allan Massie Copy Share Image
Today the crime novelist has one advantage denied to writers of 'straight' or 'literary' novels. Unlike them he can range over all levels of… — Allan Massie Copy Share Image
Blunders are an inescapable feature of war, because choice in military affairs lies generally between the bad and the worse. — Allan Massie Copy Share Image
