I don't care whether a book is a first edition or not. I'm not a bibliophile in that word's natural sense.

Quote by Norman MacCaig

Topics: Norman MacCaig Quotes

I find it's impossible for me to read Proust.

I find it's impossible for me to read Proust.

People haven't got the interest in long long works these days. A lack of interest...

People haven't got the interest in long long works these days. A lack of interest...

But I hang on to books. I love them. I even think they're very nice...

But I hang on to books. I love them. I even think they're very nice...

If I wrote a play with four characters every single one of them would talk...

If I wrote a play with four characters every single one of them would talk...

And it's impossible for me to read Henry James.

And it's impossible for me to read Henry James.

I was very interested in American poetry for many years. Much less now.

I was very interested in American poetry for many years. Much less now.

I never think about poetry except when I'm writing it. I mean my poetry.

I never think about poetry except when I'm writing it. I mean my poetry.

When I was asked to be Writer in Residence at Edinburgh I thought, you can't...

When I was asked to be Writer in Residence at Edinburgh I thought, you can't...

Well, I love fishing. I wouldn't kill a fly myself but I've no hesitation in...

Well, I love fishing. I wouldn't kill a fly myself but I've no hesitation in...

And some poets are far better read off the page because they're very bad speakers....

And some poets are far better read off the page because they're very bad speakers....

I said I have no powers of invention. Well, I also have no powers of...

I said I have no powers of invention. Well, I also have no powers of...

It's like breathing in and out to me. It's like having a conversation with someone...

It's like breathing in and out to me. It's like having a conversation with someone...

In fact a lot of them I think are absolute baloney. Those Charles Olsens and...

In fact a lot of them I think are absolute baloney. Those Charles Olsens and...

Anybody who writes doesn't like to be misunderstood.

Anybody who writes doesn't like to be misunderstood.

All those authors there, most of whom of course I've never met. That's the poetry...

All those authors there, most of whom of course I've never met. That's the poetry...

And the second question, can poetry be taught? I didn't think so.

And the second question, can poetry be taught? I didn't think so.

But you'd have a job to find many of my poems which would seem to...

But you'd have a job to find many of my poems which would seem to...

I don't think of myself all the time.

I don't think of myself all the time.

I used to fish the Border rivers, but nowadays you have to queue up for...

I used to fish the Border rivers, but nowadays you have to queue up for...

There are some friends you don't meet for twenty years and when you meet them...

There are some friends you don't meet for twenty years and when you meet them...