“She liked people. Me, I can take them or leave them, but mostly leave them.”

“I don't know why women are so mad about flowers. Personally, they leave me cold. I prefer trees.”

“Will you lie to me and promise to read them? Books need to be read. The pages need to be turned.”

“Now I know I am an intellectual. I saw Malcolm Muggeridge on the television last night, and I understood nearly every word. It all adds up. A bad home, poor diet, not liking punk. I think I will join the library and see what happens.”

“Personally, nothing would surprise me any more. If my father announced that he was really a Russian agent or my mother ran away with a circus knife thrower, I wouldn't raise an eyebrow.”

“There's only one thing more boring than listening to other people's dreams, and that's listening to their problems.”

“8.45 a.m. My mother is in the hospital grounds smoking a cigarette. She is looking old and haggard. All the debauchery is catching up with her.”