Alan Bradley Quotes, born October 10, 1938, in Toronto, Canada, is a Canadian author best known for his Flavia de Luce mystery novels, which follow the adventures of an 11-year-old chemist and sleuth in 1950s England. His debut novel, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (2009), won multiple awards, including the Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. A former television broadcasting engineer, Bradley turned to writing in retirement, crafting stories with wit, charm, and a love for chemistry and literature. These 15 quotes—sourced from his novels and interviews—reflect his insights on imagination, curiosity, and the human spirit, capturing his playful and inquisitive voice.
15 Alan Bradley Quotes
- “As I stood outside in Cow Lane, it occurred to me that Heaven must be a place where the library is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. No … eight days a week.” (The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, 2009)
- “Whenever I’m with other people, part of me shrinks a little. Only when I am alone can I fully enjoy my own company.” (A Red Herring Without Mustard, 2011)
- “If you remember nothing else, remember this: Inspiration from outside one’s self is like the heat in an oven. It makes passable Bath buns. But inspiration from within is like a volcano: It changes the face of the world.” (The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag, 2010)
- “Anyone who knew the word slattern was worth cultivating as a friend.” (The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, 2009)
- “I am often thought of as being remarkably bright, and yet my brains, more often than not, are busily devising new and interesting ways of bringing my enemies to sudden, gagging, writhing, agonizing death.” (The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, 2009)
- “One of the marks of a truly great mind, I had discovered, is the ability to feign stupidity on demand.” (The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches, 2014)
- “Books are like oxygen to a deep-sea diver. Take them away and you might as well begin counting the bubbles.” (I Am Half-Sick of Shadows, 2011)
- “If poisons were ponies, I’d put my money on cyanide.” (The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, 2009)
- “Mediocrity, I discovered, was the great camouflage; the great protective coloring. Those boys who did not fail, yet did not excel, were left alone, free of the demands of the master who might wish to groom them for glory.” (The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, 2009)
- “I was an early reader, and my grandmother, who as a child had been forbidden to read by a father who believed books to be frivolous time-wasters, delighted in putting her favorite volumes into her grandchildren’s hands.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Silence is sometimes the most costly of commodities.” (The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, 2009)
- “The more I dealt with adults, the less I wanted to be one.” (As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust, 2015)
- “You can learn from a glance at anyone’s library, not what they are, but what they wish to be.” (Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d, 2016)
- “Although it is pleasant to think about poison at any season, there is something special about Christmas, and I found myself grinning.” (I Am Half-Sick of Shadows, 2011)
- “I realized at once that a great actress can never be greater than when she’s starring in her own life.” (I Am Half-Sick of Shadows, 2011)
Alan Bradley’s quotes are a whimsical blend of curiosity, mischief, and literary love, inspiring readers and sleuths to embrace their inner spark and question the world with glee. Which one’s got you ready to crack a mystery or dive into a book? Drop it in the comments and keep Bradley’s Flavia legacy sleuthing!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
Email – business@mylittledesire.com
