Since I cant write the greatest American novel, Im going to write the longest American novel.

I started writing serious books so late because I knew Id be accused of riding on my fathers coattails.

The biggest impact my father had on my life was teaching the importance of literacy.

You didnt grow up in the shadow of John Steinbeck. He put you on his shoulders and gave you all the light you wanted.

My father valued patriotism above all other social obligations, but he had his own particular interpretation of just how true patriotism was meant to function.

My father believed, like Pericles, that a mans genius could be easily judged by the number of unenlightened fools set in phalanx against his ideas.

Since I cant write the greatest American novel, Im going to write the longest American novel.