A literary achievement of the highest order.

When it comes time to sit down and write the next book, you're deathly afraid that you're not up to the task. That was certainly the case with me after Snow Falling on Cedars.

I know you'll think this is crazy, but all I want to do is hold you, and I think that if you'll let me do that just for a few seconds, I can walk away, and never speak to you again.

I think of myself as a really happy person.

I'm not an urban person.

To persevere is always a reflection of the state of one's inner life, one's philosophy and one's perspective

I grew up in Seattle, but I always knew I wanted to leave.