‘The loneliness and discouragement are by no means a thing that has passed. In fact they seem to crowd in more than ever.’

Paradox of success[John Steinbeck]

[John Steinbeck writes in autumn 1940 to his former flatmate Carlton A Sheffield, describing how his literary success has not relieved him of his loneliness. In fact, the opposite is true. His sense of dissatisfaction and isolation have only become more intense. To his readers, it appeared he had achieved everything, but in reality he felt worse than ever.]