Ivy Compton-Burnett
Ivy Compton-Burnett
Dame Ivy Compton-Burnett, DBEwas an English novelist, publishedas I. Compton-Burnett. She was awarded the 1955 James Tait Black Memorial Prize for her novel Mother and Son...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth5 June 1884
compton hard picks
Anyone who picks up a Compton-Burnett finds it very hard not to put it down.
sex differences feminine
There is more difference within the sexes than between them.
sarcastic hanging-on pushing
Pushing forty? She's hanging on for dear life.
havens
There isn't much to say. I haven't been at all deedy.
book people ease
I am ill at ease with people whose lives are an open book.
expression interesting support
A plot is like the bones of a person, not interesting like expression, or signs of experience, but the support of the whole.
writing novelists originals
The most original novelist now writing in English.
people mind
People who have power respond simply. They have no minds but their own.
happiness cousin clue
Appearances are not held to be a clue to the truth,' said his cousin. 'But we seem to have no other.
past people sorrow
Many people misjudge the permanent effect of sorrow, and their capacity to live in the past.
cowardice danger knows
There is danger in courage. Cowardice is a power for good. We hardly know what it prevents.
selfishness unselfish persons
A person who can really be called an unselfish person, has no place in life.
real writing thinking
As regards plot I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots. And as I think a plot desirable and almost necessary, I have this extra grudge against life.
sacrifice self noble
I never know why self-sacrifice is noble. Why is it better to sacrifice oneself than someone else?