When I was young and the empire was beginning to disintegrate, the idea was absolutely unbelievable, particularly to children who'd been taught that the sun never set... that's what all my books are about, the end of empire. Jane Gardam absolutelybeginbook share on social
Only a great genius like the Victorian novelist Elizabeth Gaskell can be mother, wife and novelist without solitude. I couldn't write until my youngest child went to school, and then I began - the first morning - and I've never stopped. Jane Gardam beginchildelizabeth share on social
While writing a novel, I don't read anything new in fiction. I am too engrossed. Jane Gardam engrossfictionread Change image and share on social
I knew I had a lot to say. Not politically - politics have always confused me - but perhaps spiritually. Jane Gardam confuseknowlot Change image and share on social
English country life is more like Chekhov than 'The Archers' or Thomas Hardy or even the Updike ethic with which it is sometimes compared. Jane Gardam archerchekhovcompare Change image and share on social
I longed from a tiny child to get away on my own. When I was five, I walked out along the sands from Redcar, nearly all the way to Hartlepool. Jane Gardam childhartlepoollong Change image and share on social
In modern novels, there is no one I want to copy. My style 'is a poor thing, but it is my own.' Jane Gardam copymodernnovel Change image and share on social
I think the most dangerous influence for a young writer is to be treated with cynicism or discouragement. Jane Gardam cynicismdangerousdiscouragement Change image and share on social
Mum was a tremendous Anglo-Catholic. Very impressive, actually. She made me go to church for years - I still don't want to because of that. Jane Gardam anglocatholicchurch Change image and share on social
The best novel I wrote was one called 'Crusoe's Daughter,' which never won any prizes. But I was getting somewhere in that. I'm not sure I have in any of the others. Jane Gardam callcrusoedaughter Change image and share on social
