You do not cut a check in the state of Kansas to John Doe, executioner. The executioner is paid in cash so there's no trail to him

The New York Times published the guest list on the front page. The masks were a brilliant concept.

Well, I have to write. A lot of people forget that. They think I’m sort of crazy baffoon who can’t make up his mind what to do in life

Rick Bass is one of the best writers of his generation.

It's like people always say, Well, does sport teach you anything in life? It teaches you certain things, but it doesn't teach you other things. It doesn't teach, as I say, very much about marriage, very much about how to make a living, any of those things.

My favorite monologue in the book is Kate Harrington's story of her relationship with Truman.

I remember being awed by it - the uniqueness and nicety of style - and I suspect I was a bit jealous because we were more or less of the same generation.