If Americans are to read something that is difficult, they will only do so supposing they will be admired for having done it.

I don't think anything needs to happen in a book.

Clarity is the most important thing to me - in thinking - and so I try in the books to be as clear as possible.

I'm clearer now in what I want to say, and I know better how to say just that.

Much of my work has been done in first person.

Americans are genuinely and profoundly anti-intellectual. They are especially so in their pleasure-seeking, which is epically banal.

I'm confused, and brilliant books help me to be less so.