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Alan Bennett Quotes

Alan Bennett quotes about reading

English Playwright May 9, 1934

Alan Bennett quotes in french
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Quotes

...she felt about reading what some writers felt about writing: that it was impossible not to do it and that at this late stage of her life she had been chosen to read as others were chosen to write. Alan Bennett
Authors, she soon decided, were probably best met within the pages of their novels, and were as much creatures of the reader's imagination as the characters in their books. Nor did they seem to think one had done them a kindness by reading their writings. Rather they had done one the kindness by writing them. Alan Bennett
The best moments in reading are when you come across something? a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things? that you'd thought special, particular to you. And here it is, set down by someone else, a person you've never met Alan Bennett
Archbishop. Why do I never read the lesson?” “I beg your pardon, ma’am?” “In church. Everybody else gets to read and one never does. It’s not laid down, is it? It’s not off-limits?” “Not that I’m aware, ma’am.” “Good. Well in that case I’m going to start. Leviticus, here I come. Goodnight.” The archbishop shook his head and went back to Strictly Come Dancing. Alan Bennett
To begin with, it's true, she read with trepidation and some unease. The sheer endlessness of books outfaced her and she had no idea how to go on; there was no system to her reading, with one book leading to another, and often she had two or three on the go at the same time. Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett quote: "It was the kind of libraryhe had only read about in books."
It was the kind of libraryhe had only read about in books. Alan Bennett
The appeal of reading, she thought, lay in its indifference: there was something undeferring about literature. Books did not care who was reading them or whether one read them or not. All readers were equal, herself included. Literature, she thought, is a commonwealth; letters a republic. Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett quote: "Definition of a classic: a book everyone is assumed to have..."
Definition of a classic: a book everyone is assumed to have read and often thinks they have. Alan Bennett
What she was finding also was how one book led to another, doors kept opening wherever she turned and the days weren't long enough for the reading she wanted to do. Alan Bennett
To read is to withdraw. To make oneself unavailable. One would feel easier about it if the pursuit inself were less... selfish. Alan Bennett
...to her all books were the same and, as with her subjects, she felt a duty to approach them without prejudice...Lauren Bacall, Winifred Holtby, Sylvia Plath - who were they? Only be reading could she find out. Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett quote: "The days weren't long enough for the reading she wanted to do."
The days weren't long enough for the reading she wanted to do. Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett quote: "One reads for pleasure...it is not a public duty."
One reads for pleasure...it is not a public duty. Alan Bennett
[B]riefing is not reading. In fact it is the antithesis of reading. Briefing is terse, factual and to the point. Reading is untidy, discursive and perpetually inviting. Briefing closes down a subject, reading opens it up. Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett quote: "Reading is untidy, discursive and perpetually inviting."
Reading is untidy, discursive and perpetually inviting. Alan Bennett

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