A novel, in the end, is a container, a shape which you are trying to pour your story into.

quote by Helen Dunmore
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My first collection of poems was published by Bloodaxe Books, which was then a very new imprint.

quote by Helen Dunmore
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I concentrate on the lives of individuals whom the reader comes to know and feel with intimately.

quote by Helen Dunmore
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I enjoy research; in fact research is so engaging that it would be easy to go on for years, and never write the novel at all.

quote by Helen Dunmore
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The language has got to be fully alive - I can't bear dull, flaccid writing myself and I don't see why any reader should put up with it.

quote by Helen Dunmore
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As individuals, we are shaped by story from the time of birth; we are formed by what we are told by our parents, our teachers, our intimates.

quote by Helen Dunmore
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I hope that readers will tear through my books because they can't stop themselves - and then, maybe, read them again and find new things there.

quote by Helen Dunmore
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The poets whom I knew then were all men and all seemed dauntingly sure of themselves - although I am sure that really they were as uncertain as I was.

quote by Helen Dunmore
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I didn't choose Russia but Russia chose me. I had been fascinated from an early age by the culture, the language, the literature and the history to the place.

quote by Helen Dunmore
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Children will not pretend to be enjoying books, and they will not read books because they have been told that these books are good. They are looking for delight.

quote by Helen Dunmore
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