Lindsey King

“I'm visiting a scholar in linguistics and literature whom I've known for fifty years. The path we once shared split like a snake's tongue, he became a professor, I did not. But now we're at the end, he an emeritus, I a pensioner, our difference have blurred and we are talking frankly. I say I have the greatest admiration for people who can write a thick novel, and I add quietly that I too will try it sometime (because I want to admire myself). He does not laugh, but strongly discourages me, he says I shouldn't do it because I understand nothing about psychology, "not even the psychology of minor characters." That is handsomely formulated, I promise him I will not do it. But that night in bed I think that perhaps I actually could write an unpsychological novel for all the people who also understand nothing about psychology.”
― A.L. Snijders, Night Train