People in small towns, much more than in cities, share a destiny.

I think it would be harder for me not to write comedy because the comic view of things is the one that comes most naturally to me.

It's no secret that in my books I'm trying to make the comic and the serious rub up against each other just as closely and uncomfortably as I can.

"If you paid me for work," continued Max, whose rhetoric was more sophisticated than you might expect from a man with food in his beard, "I wouldn't have to feel worthless. There's not law says old people have to feel worthless all the while, you know. You paid me, I'd have some dignity." Now it was Mile's turn to nod and smile agreeably. "I think the dignity ship set sail a long time ago, Dad."

And there comes a time in your life when you realize that if you don't take the opportunity to be happy, you may never get another chance again.

Why mince words? Beautiful Ruins is an absolute masterpiece.

You can't possibly judge your ability to control something until you've experienced the extremes of its capabilities. Do you understand?