65 Quotes by John McGahern

Across her face there seemed to pass many feelings and reflections: it was as if she ached to touch and gather in and make whole those scattered years of change. But how can time be gathered in and kissed? There is only flesh.

Nothing ever holds together unless it is mixed with some of one’s own blood.

The days were quiet. They did not feel particularly quiet or happy but through them ran the sense, like an underground river, that there would come a time when these days would be looked back on as happiness, all that life could give of contentment and peace.

I’ve never written anything that hasn’t been in my mind for a long time – seven or eight years.

That’s one thing can’t be bought is brains. Only God can give brains. And they don’t come off the wind either.

They’d listen silenty, with grave faces: but once they’d turn to each other they’d smile cruelly. He couldn’t have it both ways. He’d put himself outside and outside they’d make him stay. Neither brutality nor complaining could force a way in.

I mean I think that’s a fact and I think that we had a very peculiar type of Catholic Church here in that it was a fortress Church.

I’d much prefer to write more quickly.

Cool, calm and collected, the three seas of wisdom and success.