Princeton is quite integrated. Women are professors at Princeton. Women are students at Princeton. That began in the 1970s.

To be true to life, a novel must have an ending that is inevitable given the specific personalities of the characters involved. The novelist must not impose an ending upon them.

When people say there is too much violence in my books, what they are saying is there is too much reality in life.

Like a flame is real enough, isn't it, while it's burning?-even if there's a time it goes out?

There was a Greek philosopher who taught that, of all things, not to have been born is the sweetest state. But I believe sleep is the sweetest state. You're dead, yet alive. There's no sensation so exquisite.

The suicide does not play the game, does not observe the rules. He leaves the party too soon, and leaves the other guests painfully uncomfortable.

There is a terrible weight in all kinds of beauty