the novel is inherently a political instrument, regardless of its subject. It invites you - more than invites you, induces you - to live inside another person's skin. It creates empathy. And that's the antidote to bigotry. The novel doesn't just tell you about another life, which is what a newspaper would do. It makes you live another life, inhabit another perspective. And that's very important.
Barbara KingsolverYou know things are bad when a woman without any legs and who recently lost two of her own kids feels sorry for you.
Barbara KingsolverThis manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don't consider it rejected. Consider that you've addressed it 'to the editor who can appreciate my work' and it has simply come back stamped 'Not at this address'. Just keep looking for the right address.
Barbara KingsolverWhen you pick up a novel from the bed side table, you put down your own life at the same time and you become another person for the duration.
Barbara Kingsolver