We read Greek and Norse mythology until it came out of our ears. And the Bible.

Quote by Penelope Lively

Topics: Penelope Lively Quotes

Every novel generates its own climate, when you get going.

Every novel generates its own climate, when you get going.

We all need a past - that's where our sense of identity comes from.

We all need a past - that's where our sense of identity comes from.

I have had to empty two family homes during the last few years - first,...

I have had to empty two family homes during the last few years - first,...

I'm writing another novel and I know what I'm going to do after, which may...

I'm writing another novel and I know what I'm going to do after, which may...

I have long been interested in landscape history, and when younger and more robust I...

I have long been interested in landscape history, and when younger and more robust I...

I'm intrigued by the way in which physical appearance can often direct a person's life;...

I'm intrigued by the way in which physical appearance can often direct a person's life;...

I've always been fascinated by the operation of memory - the way in which it...

I've always been fascinated by the operation of memory - the way in which it...

I can walk about London and see a society that seems an absolutely revolutionary change...

I can walk about London and see a society that seems an absolutely revolutionary change...

I rather like getting away from fiction.

I rather like getting away from fiction.

The present hardly exists, after all-it becomes the past even as it happens. A tricky...

The present hardly exists, after all-it becomes the past even as it happens. A tricky...

All I know for certain is that reading is of the most intense importance to...

All I know for certain is that reading is of the most intense importance to...

I'm not an historian but I can get interested - obsessively interested - with any...

I'm not an historian but I can get interested - obsessively interested - with any...

Since then, I have just read and read - but, that said, I suppose there...

Since then, I have just read and read - but, that said, I suppose there...

Conventional forms of narrative allow for different points of view, but for this book I...

Conventional forms of narrative allow for different points of view, but for this book I...

We make choices but are constantly foiled by happenstance.

We make choices but are constantly foiled by happenstance.

I'm now an agnostic but I grew up on the King James version, which I'm...

I'm now an agnostic but I grew up on the King James version, which I'm...

Getting to know someone else involves curiosity about where they have come from, who they...

Getting to know someone else involves curiosity about where they have come from, who they...

The Photograph is concerned with the power that the past has to interfere with the...

The Photograph is concerned with the power that the past has to interfere with the...

The consideration of change over the century is about loss, though I think that social...

The consideration of change over the century is about loss, though I think that social...

I'm not an historian and I'm not wanting to write about how I perceive the...

I'm not an historian and I'm not wanting to write about how I perceive the...