There is more to be pondered in the grain and texture of life than traditional fiction allows. The work of essayists is vital precisely because it permits and encourages self-knowledge in a way that is less indirect than fiction, more… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
'To Kill a Mockingbird' is really two stories. One is a coming-of-age tale told from the point of view of Scout Finch, a girl… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
On the strength of Vonnegut's reputation, 'Breakfast of Champions' spent a year on the best-seller lists, proving that he could indeed publish anything and… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
'To Kill a Mockingbird' appeared to highly favorable reviews and quickly climbed to the top of bestseller lists, where it remained for more than… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
Harper Lee and Truman Capote became friends as next-door neighbors in the late 1920s, when they were about kindergarten age. From the start, they… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
The great purpose in life is to take your destiny out of the hands of others. — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
She just wanted to be comfortable in her own skin...But she would not stop to seek others' approval. The notion that she should never… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
My theory is that Kurt had a lot of residual pain from his childhood. And when you pile that on top of his experience… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
“At home, he (A.C. Lee) encouraged Nelle to clamber up on him lap to "help" him read the newspaper or complete the crossword puzzle.” — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
Engaging and well paced, the book fills in the reality behind Vonnegut's work — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
Edith Vonnegut behaved like a guest in her children's lives. To her way of thinking, parenting came under the general heading of household tasks,… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
In the late 1990s, I left the teaching field to write biographies and histories for young adults. — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
“I think part of your success lies in the shock of recognition- or as the Japanese might say, 'the unexpected recognition of the faithful… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
