I lost many literary battles the day I read 'Their Eyes Were Watching God.' I had to concede that occasionally aphorisms have their power. I had to give up the idea that Keats had a monopoly on the lyrical.

I used to take that God's-eye view as a comfort when I was a child. I'd think, "Well, we couldn't find the world meaningful at all if it weren't for death." Of course, that is the smuggest and most intolerable of all perspectives because I'm not suffering from the death or the pain.

When the male organ of a man stands erect, two thirds of his intelect go away. And one third of his religion.

I'm not sure if you're the person for me any more.

One thing you learn about the novel as a form is that it's always smarter than you are.

Cambridge was a joy. Tediously. People reading books in a posh place. It was my fantasy. I loved it. I miss it still.

Women often have a great need to portray themselves as sympathetic and pleasing, but we're also dark people with dark thoughts.