I suppose I'm proudest of my novels for what's imagined in them. I think the world of my imagination is a richer and more interesting place than my personal biography.
John IrvingHomer and Candy passed by the empty and brightly lit dispensary; they peeked into Nurse Angela's empty office. Homer knew better than to peek into the delivery room when the light was on. From the dormitory, they could hear Dr. Larch's reading voice. Although Candy held tightly to his hand, Homer was inclined to hurry - in order not to miss the bedtime story.
John IrvingA novel is a piece of architecture. It's not random wallowings or confessional diaries. It's a building-it has to have walls and floors and the bathrooms have to work.
John IrvingAnd Father said, โThere are no happy endings.โ โRight!โ cried Iowa Bob โ an odd mixture of exuberance and stoicism in his cracked voice. โDeath is horrible, final, and frequently premature,โ Coach Bob declared. โSo what?โ my father said. โRight!โ cried Iowa Bob. โThatโs the point: So what?โ Thus the family maxim was that an unhappy ending did not undermine a rich and energetic life. This was based on the belief that there were no happy endings.
John Irving