Before I write a novel, images float around in my head that work like icons - they are meaningless in themselves, but… — Jane Smiley Around Copy Share Image
Somehow, knowing that Alzheimer's is coming mocks all one's aspirations - to tell stories, to think through certain issues as only a… — Jane Smiley Accomplishment Copy Share Image
English majors understand human nature better than economists do. — Jane Smiley Better Copy Share Image
Americans took a great deal too much credit for creating wealth, when most of the time they had really just been living… — Jane Smiley Bounty Copy Share Image
A novelist is on the cusp between someone who knows everything and someone who knows nothing. — Jane Smiley Cusp Copy Share Image
Your sons weren't made to like you. That's what grandchildren are for. — Jane Smiley Children Copy Share Image
The main thing about the novel that is totally fascinating: It's not possessed by the writer; it's possessed by the reader. — Jane Smiley Books Copy Share Image
“But even though I felt her presence, I also felt the habitual fruitlessness of thinking about her. Her images, partly memories of… — Jane Smiley Memory Copy Share Image
“...I had been with my father so constantly for so long that I knew less and less about him with every passing… — Jane Smiley Daily life Copy Share Image
All equestrians, if they last long enough, learn that riding in whatever form is a lifelong sport and art, an endeavor that… — Jane Smiley Art Copy Share Image
In many ways, being honest about 'Huckleberry Finn' goes right to the heart of whether we can be honest about our heritage… — Jane Smiley Being Copy Share Image
“Failure was startling, really. So startling that I hardly noticed it at all.” — Jane Smiley Failure Copy Share Image
Giving his lecture for the third time freed Dr. Lionel Gift from paying much attention to it. He had a naturally expressive… — Jane Smiley Addresses Copy Share Image
'The Good Soldier' is an odd and maybe even unique book. That it is a masterpiece, almost a perfect novel, comes as… — Jane Smiley Almost Copy Share Image
With any novel that you begin, you can't foresee how difficult or easy it's going to be, and you can't really prepare… — Jane Smiley Books Copy Share Image
I was asked by an editor to consider writing something about an American inventor. I asked him if he knew who invented… — Jane Smiley American Copy Share Image
I learned why 'out riding alone' is an oxymoron: An equestrian is never alone, is always sensing the other being, the mysterious… — Jane Smiley Alone Copy Share Image
I wrote the Dickens book because I loved Dickens, not because I felt a kinship with him, but after writing the book… — Jane Smiley Book Copy Share Image
“War is inevitable when the world is fallen. If you stop one, another will start. Redemption is the only path away from… — Jane Smiley War Copy Share Image
I say, when your hair turns gray and your children think they know who you are, do the thing that shakes up… — Jane Smiley Children Copy Share Image
Ignorance and bloodlust have a long tradition in the United States, especially in the red states. — Jane Smiley Bloodlust Copy Share Image
