Sometimes, a novel is like a train: the first chapter is a comfortable seat in an attractive carriage, and the narrative speeds up. But there are other sorts of trains, and other sorts of novels. They rush by in the dark; passengers framed in the lighted windows are smiling and enjoying themselves.
Jane SmileyI have noticed before that there is a category of acquaintanceship that is not friendship or business or romance, but speculation, fascination.
Jane SmileyEven if my marriage is falling apart and my children are unhappy, there is still a part of me that says, 'God, this is fascinating!'
Jane SmileyThere are several methods for introducing your children to driving, and all of them are bad. Probably the worst is to put it off.
Jane Smiley