JG
Jane Gardam
41quotes
Jane Gardam
Full Name and Common Aliases
Jane Gardam CBE is a British author known for her novels, short stories, and essays.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on April 29, 1915, in Manchester, England; died on February 22, 2014, in Cambridge, England.
Nationality and Profession(s)
British author and novelist. Gardam's work spans multiple genres, including literary fiction, historical fiction, and children's literature.
Early Life and Background
Jane Gardam grew up in a family that valued education and literature. Her father was a teacher, and her mother was a keen reader who encouraged Jane to read extensively from an early age. Gardam attended St Margaret's Grammar School for Girls in Liverpool before moving to London to study English at Bedford College.
Major Accomplishments
Gardam began writing seriously during World War II while working as a civil servant. Her first novel, _A Few Fair Days_, was published in 1965 and received positive reviews. However, it was her subsequent novels that brought her widespread recognition. _The Hollow Land_ (1971) and _God on the Rocks_ (1978) are considered two of her most significant works.
Notable Works or Actions
Gardam's writing often explores themes of family, history, and social class. Her use of humor, wit, and satire has earned her a reputation as one of Britain's leading literary figures. Some of her notable works include:
_The Human Planet_ (1978), which won the Whitbread Novel Award
_A Few Fair Days_ (1965)
_The Hollow Land_ (1971)
_God on the Rocks_ (1978)
Impact and Legacy
Throughout her career, Gardam has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to literature. She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2004 for services to literature. Her work continues to be widely read and studied, offering insights into human nature, social issues, and historical contexts.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Jane Gardam's unique voice, sharp wit, and insightful observations have made her a beloved figure in British literary circles. Her commitment to exploring the complexities of human experience has earned her a place among the most respected authors of her generation.
Quotes by Jane Gardam
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But there’s time yet. The old women of the tribe have almost always been the wiser. If they keep their marbles long enough. Old men forget – or tend to reminisce, and reminisce falsely and sententiously as a rule. We are often very silly in our middle years but we tend to improve.
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If I've got one thing that I really believe about fiction and life, it's that there are no minor characters.
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I longed from a tiny child to get away on my own. When I was five, I walked out along the sands from Redcar, nearly all the way to Hartlepool.
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I knew I had a lot to say. Not politically - politics have always confused me - but perhaps spiritually.
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In modern novels, there is no one I want to copy. My style 'is a poor thing, but it is my own.'
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The best novel I wrote was one called 'Crusoe's Daughter,' which never won any prizes. But I was getting somewhere in that. I'm not sure I have in any of the others.
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Stories of all lengths and depths come from different parts of the cave. For a novel, you must lay in mental, physical and spiritual provision as for a siege or for a time of hectic explosions, while a short story is, or can be, a steady, timed flame like the lighting of a blow lamp on a building site full of dry tinder.
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