We talk about feelings. And about sex. And about bodies, and their gratification, violation, repair, decoration, deferred, maybe permanently deferred, mortality. Feelings are a bodily thing, and respecting them is called, is, kindness. A. S. Byatt bodilybodycall share on social
Cyclists. I really hate them. I wish they would not be so self-righteous and realise they are a danger to pedestrians. I wish cyclists would not vindictively snap off wing mirrors on cars when they were trying to cross in front of the car at a danger to motorists and pedestrians. A. S. Byatt carcrosscyclist share on social
If you want to teach women to be great writers, you should show them the best, and the best was often done by men. It was more often done by men than by women, if we're going to be truthful. A. S. Byatt greatmanshow Change image and share on social
I have never been able to read Agatha Christie - the pleasure is purely in the puzzle, and the reader is toyed with by someone who didn't decide herself who the killer was until the end of the writing. A. S. Byatt agathachristiedecide share on social
I don't think it is an easy thing to write and expect to be commercial, even if you are from Venus and a hermaphrodite. A. S. Byatt commercialeasyexpect Change image and share on social
I don't like gurus. I don't like people who ask you to follow or believe. I like people who ask you to think independently. A. S. Byatt followguruindependently Change image and share on social
I sort of mind living in a time when most of the literature is terribly personal. I suppose it's because I grew up on a love of history, philosophy, science and religion, but not to think too much about yourself. A. S. Byatt growhistoryliterature share on social
Biographies are no longer written to explain or explore the greatness of the great. They redress balances, explore secret weaknesses, demolish legends. A. S. Byatt balancebiographydemolish Change image and share on social
The more research you do, the more at ease you are in the world you're writing about. It doesn't encumber you, it makes you free. A. S. Byatt easeencumberfree Change image and share on social
I find the attempt to find things out, which scientists are possessed by, to be as human as breathing, or feeding, or sex. And so the science has to be in the novels as science and not just as metaphors. A. S. Byatt attemptbreathefeed share on social
