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Quote by Jonathan Coe

“But at the same time, I have trouble keeping things out of books, which is why I don't write short stories because they turn into novels.”

Quote by Jonathan Coe

Author

Jonathan Coe is a renowned British novelist known for his unique sense of humor and profound insights into social issues. His works are typically set in London, exploring the complexities of modern life. more

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“But I have always - ever since The Accidental Woman - written novels about individuals attempting to make choices in the context of situations over which they have no control.”

Choices Individual Situation Novel Written Attempting

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“Contemporary Britain seems an endlessly fascinating place to me - but if I knew a little bit more about other places, and other times, maybe it wouldn't.”

Ifs Littles Seems Bits Little Bit Contemporary Britain Fascinating

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“I live a perfectly happy and comfortable life in Blair's Britain, but I can't work up much affection for the culture we've created for ourselves: it's too cynical, too knowing, too ironic, too empty of real value and meaning.”

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“I was mainly in a state of nervousness while I wrote it - nervousness that it was far bigger and more complicated than anything Id attempted before, and that maybe my talent just wasnt up to it and the book would have to be abandoned, or would turn out not to work at all when it was finished.”

Book States Turns Talent Bigger Complicated Finished Abandoned Nervousness

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“I like the idea of a big caesura between the narratives, a space which readers can fill in with their own speculative history.”

Ideas Bigs Space Reader Narrative

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“Revisionist historians are about to get their hands on the Thatcher years, shes probably going to be looked at again because she feels far enough away now, and we dont see her much on the political landscape in this country, shes kind of disappeared and she doesnt speak out much anymore.”

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“I had no sense of any reputation that What a Carve Up! might acquire - at the time I didnt even have a publisher, so my main worry was whether it was even going to see the light of day or not.”

Light Might Worry Reputation Acquire Publishers

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“It was as dark as the inside of a cabinet minister.”

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Source: THE HORSE'S MOUTH

“Life would die without poets, and democracy must have its spellbinders.”

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“The will is never free - it is always attached to an object, a purpose. It is simply the engine in the car - it can't steer”

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Source: Selected essays