I was taught to read by my grandmother. Central to her method was a tale of unnatural love called 'The Duck and the Kangaroo'. Then, because my grandfather, Senator Gore, was blind, I was required early on to read grown-up books to him, mostly constitutional law and, of course, the Congressional Record. The later continence of my style is a miracle, considering those years of piping the additional remarks of Mr. Borah of Idaho.

One is sorry one could not have taken both branches of the road. But we were not allotted multiple selves.

The British are absolutely hung up on class, and whenever they start to really - class for the English is like sex for Americans: They start to shake all over when the subject comes up.

Monotheism is easily the greatest disaster to befall the human race.

Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.

I spend most of my time in California. I feel I am fueled by rage and by the political climate there. I am angry most of the time when I am there, which might be unbearable for someone else, but for me it's fuel for my writing.

Write what you know will always be excellent advice for those who ought not to write at all. Write what you think, what you imagine, what you suspect!