Human connection is the way things work. It's like a patronage system. You know somebody, and he knows somebody, and he knows somebody, and he knows the district governor, and it's okay.

Words are charms. It's like a song you didn't even know you knew.

I think what is important for things to be funny is if you the listener, or the reader, get a chance to supply the humor of it yourself.

Russian humor is to adapt or make some sense or nonsense out of the insanity of their lives.

I am an author, and like many in my profession, I am also a traveling salesman, going all over in an attempt to persuade people to spend twenty-five dollars on a hardcover book by me.

When I needed to think or was really upset, generally I climbed a tree.

Siberia is so big, it’s almost more an idea than a place