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
“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
