Usually, ordinary histories don't get the emotional feel of a period. That's what a novel can do.

Sexism goes so deep that at first it's hard to see; you think it's just reality.

There is still nothing like equality for women in jobs, in family. There's just an awareness that inequality is not acceptable.

In my books, my idea is always to explore social context and social forces.

The world is abundant with food for us, and with everything we need, if only we just open our eyes. There's so much food that gets thrown out or never harvested.

Many people spend the ends of their lives alone, and probably a lot of years in the middle of their lives, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience the rewards of solitude.

For many decades my relations with my parents constituted unfinished business. I had dealt with them through sheer avoidance and guilt.