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Bernard MacLaverty Quotes

born 1942 Ireland

Bernard MacLaverty (born 14 September 1942) is an Irish fiction writer and novelist. His novels include Cal, Grace Notes, and Midwinter Break.

Ireland
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Random Bernard MacLaverty quote

55 quotes

"It's all going far too well," said Gerry. "A bad omen."

Midwinter Break (2017)

On a slippery slope the only way was down.

Grace Notes (1997)

Neil offered his arm as she lowered herself from the step to the ground.
"What a polite young man."
"That's my mother's fault."

The Great Profundo and Other Stories (1987)

Purring was the funniest thing, like a motorbike in the distance.

Grace Notes (1997)

When she met men the first things she took account of were the negative things. Wimpishness, a bully, shiftiness, recklessness, elaborate facial hair.

Grace Notes (1997)

"Love is a very strange idea. I never know what it is. When you were young it seemed to be all intensity and no opportunity. Later when you did get the opportunity the fire had gone out of it."

Cal (1983)

He wanted to pray but couldn't because he no longer believed. Prayer was just an intense wishing.

Midwinter Break (2017)

"You can't choose your children."

The Great Profundo and Other Stories (1987)

Are you a conduit for the music?

Grace Notes (1997)

Steady as a three-legged stool.

Grace Notes (1997)

It was a way of not thinking - to concentrate on her surroundings. If she stared at things, then it helped block out stuff.

Grace Notes (1997)

She found a large and classy department store. Like any other city, Amsterdam was full of shops which sold things that nobody wanted. Or the kind of things some people wanted but nobody needed.

Midwinter Break (2017)

"We went on a school trip down the Rhine one summer and I saw a crucifixion that made all others look pale for me."

They crossed a metal suspension bridge over a canal. Both sides of the structure bristled with padlocks.
"It must be some kind of love fest."

"The individual matters," said Mrs Gallagher.

Grace Notes (1997)

You know how vivid things are in extremis. There's something going on in the brain. Chemicals. They make the moment indelible."

Midwinter Break (2017)

"Bitter?" said the barmaid and he nodded. What a strange thing to call a drink. Bitter. Aloes. Sorrow. For something that was supposed to make you feel happy.

Lamb (1980)

When they finally got into the foyer there were some enlarged black and white photographs. Anne in her school playground before the war. Anne in the street with friends. Anne at a desk, writing.

Midwinter Break (2017)

I come from the kind of house where if my father saw me with a book in my hand he'd say, "Can you not find something better to do?"

The Great Profundo and Other Stories (1987)

"Do you still want to - refuse to help?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Not to act - you know - is to act. By not doing anything you are helping to keep the Brits here."

Cal (1983)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Bernard MacLaverty (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.