I do not know what evil is when it comes to art. I only know what is good art and what is bad art.

To the extent that I come from a deeply religious tradition and have been contending with those beginnings all of my life - that constitutes the subject of much of my early fiction.

If I had a plot that was all set in advance, why would I want go through the agony of writing the novel? A novel is a kind of exploration and discovery, for me at any rate.

Art is whether or not there is a scream in him wanting to get out in a special way.

A writer is a strange instrument of our species, a harp of sorts, fine-tuned to the dark contradictions of life.

Reuven listen to me. The Talmud says that a person should do two things for himself. One is to acquire a teacher. Do you remember the other." "Choose a friend," I said. "Yes. You know what a friend is, Reuven? A Greek philosopher said that two people who are true friends are like two bodies with one soul." I nodded. "Reuven, if you can, make Danny Saunders your friend." "I like him a lot, abba." "No. Listen to me. I am not talking about only liking him. I am telling you to make him your friend and to let him make you his friend.

Oh, it makes a difference, I thought. And if it doesn't make a difference you will make it make a difference.