Angela Thirkell

“I am what is known as an omnivorous reader and it all goes right through me and out of my mouth.”

— Angela Thirkell

“Besides,’ he added, ‘Catriona Ellangowan is a charming woman. I nearly married her myself once, but she very rightly turned me down…

— Angela Thirkell

“I never did take sugar in my tea, or in coffee,’ said the Vicar. ‘I have always disliked it. But I understood…

— Angela Thirkell

“Why a widow should raise an attractive or pathetic image in one’s mind, or at the worst something rather bold and dashing,…

— Angela Thirkell

“My first novel was only a try-out,’ said David carelessly. The sort of thing every undergraduate has to write, but now I…

— Angela Thirkell

“It need hardly be said that the qualities which filled Martin with the pangs of hero-worship were not altogether those which David’s…

— Angela Thirkell

“Madame Boulle, in spite of her experiences among the highest English families, was amazed at the coolness shown by Lady Emily. A…

— Angela Thirkell

First love is an astounding experience and if the object happens to be totally unworthy and love not really love at all,…

— Angela Thirkell

If there is one pleasure on earth which surpasses all others, it is leaving a play before the end. I might perhaps…

— Angela Thirkell

“To Mrs Belton’s relief the lights in the hall were now put out and the curtains drawn apart. As all amateur theatricals…

— Angela Thirkell

I suppose everybody has a mental picture of the days of the week, some seeing them as a circle, some as an…

— Angela Thirkell

If only life were one long crisis, everyone would be perfect.

— Angela Thirkell

“A simple love-story,’ said David piously, ‘about a girl that loves a man frightfully and he is married, so she goes and…

— Angela Thirkell

“She then swung out towards the middle of the lake. It has long been obvious to the meanest of our readers –…

— Angela Thirkell

If one cannot invent a really convincing lie, it is often better to stick to the truth.

— Angela Thirkell

“John made himself agreeable to any girls who looked deserted or shy, and occasionally came over to see his mother. When he…

— Angela Thirkell

It has been noticed that people who are not parents often have a peculiar fondness for children. This is sometimes attributed to…

— Angela Thirkell

There are few pleasures like really burrowing one's nose into sweet peas.

— Angela Thirkell

Christmas, so long looming over everyone's head, finally surged up, buried everyone alive and ebbed away, leaving its victims distinctly cross.

— Angela Thirkell

“It says there’s no marriages in heaven, Mrs Powlett,’ said Dorothy, giving a final polish to the pudding spoons with a piece…

— Angela Thirkell

“The large bedroom was crammed to overflowing with family relics, and examples of the various arts in which Lady Emily had brilliantly…

— Angela Thirkell

“Good,’ said Mr Carton. ‘Why children, a loathsome breed who should be kept under hatches or in monasteries till they have acquired…

— Angela Thirkell

“I have been very, very happy. Mamma always said that even if there wasn't any happiness one must try to be happy…

— Angela Thirkell

Never economize on luxuries.

— Angela Thirkell

“Well, boys will be bores. Tell me all about yourself, Mary. I’ve had a marvellous time over my novel. A man I…

— Angela Thirkell