Hilary Mantel

Even if you have more space, it is easier to write a bad review than a good one, or to locate the flaw in a book and become fixated on it. Young reviewers become fired with zeal against the established and the over-rated. They think they are doing justice, but it takes them longer to learn about mercy.

Mary-Kay speaks so softly that when she first called me I believed she was trapped inside a sofa.