Ted Hughes for the power of his language; Philip Roth for his work's complex passion and compassion; Louise Bourgeois for being sexy, playful, inventive and hopelessly human.
The stories myself and so many children's and YA authors tell, come from an instinct to understand and articulate our complex world with compassion and empathy.
In the case of an Observer article, it's part of a long, noble and humane tradition of treating a complex world with compassion and self-doubt, rather than certainty and blame.
Our compassion is complex, and what ultimately complicates it is the fear that this lonely, squalid figure could be us.
He spent two years there photographing a group of 600 elephants, gradually comprehending their complex relationships, intelligence and compassion.
And so many of us have heard him say, 'What can I do for you?' " There was no burden too heavy, no problem too complex for his genuine compassion and desire to help.
Accepting the Coppa Volpi prize, Staunton said: 'I want to thank the tireless jury for embracing and honouring this film which I'm so proud to be in, because it deals with a complex subject with such compassion.' Speaking exclusively to The Observer before the ceremony, Staunton called the experience of playing Vera the greatest achievement of her life.
As I spoke with John, I felt a complex mix of empathy, compassion, and impotence, already knowing, before he even finished telling me his story, how it would end that day.
His fond portrayal of his father goes beyond forgiveness to compassion and the complex understanding it requires.
The reasons for this compassion gap are complex.
