But I felt certain that if the world would stop indulging wars and famines and other perils, it would be possible for… — John Irving Believe Copy Share Image
“If you live long enough, Bill - it's a world of epilogues," Richard Abbott said.” — John Irving Copy Share Image
“David Copperfield had a fever when he’d gone to bed, and Larch went to check on the boy. Dr. Larch was relieved… — John Irving Hot dogs Copy Share Image
“But you of all people!” I said to him. “Look at me—I never was a believer, not until this happened. If I… — John Irving Faith Copy Share Image
I'm not writing non-fiction. I don't feel anything about me as a kid was unique. Except that I had more interest in… — John Irving About Copy Share Image
I'm not a twentieth-century novelist, I'm not modern, and certainly not postmodern. I follow the form of the nineteenth-century novel; that was… — John Irving Analyst Copy Share Image
“It was Nurse Caroline who introduced Homer to young Dr. Harlow, who was in the throes of growing out his bangs; a… — John Irving Copy Share Image
And when you love a book, commit one glorious sentence of it-perhaps your favorite sentence-to memory. That way you won't forget the… — John Irving Book Copy Share Image
I'm a very old-fashioned novelist. I write 19th-century novels, where a lot of rules apply. — John Irving 19th century Copy Share Image
“And the thing about love," Wally said to Angel, "is that you can’t force anyone. It’s natural to want someone you love… — John Irving Love Copy Share Image
“had no idea that Mr. Meany was capable of such precise craftsmanship. I’d also had no idea that Mr. Meany was familiar… — John Irving Half a year Copy Share Image
I'm not proselytizing my method. I don't believe that one writer should tell other writers how to write. — John Irving Believe Copy Share Image
“It was from just a few sentences that a writer learned anything from another writer.” — John Irving Learning Copy Share Image
Children are most impressed with the importance of a moment when they witness a parent breaking the parents' own rule. — John Irving Children Copy Share Image
“Because who can describe the look that triggers the memory of loved ones? Who can anticipate the frown, the smile, or the… — John Irving Anticipate Copy Share Image
“If (a writer) has applied himself to an art for 15 or 20 years and they’ve gotten good at it, and they’re… — John Irving Art Copy Share Image
Safer than we are.” I told Franny. “Safer than love.” “let me tell ya kid,” Franny said to me, squeezing my hand.… — John Irving Hands Copy Share Image
We don't always have a choice how we get to know one another. Sometimes, people fall into our lives cleanly--as if out… — John Irving Choices Copy Share Image
“I'll bet every fucking one of your angels is going to be terrifying!” — John Irving Angel Copy Share Image
“Dan would entertain Owen and me by describing Mr. Tubulari’s pentathlon, his “winterthon.” “The first event,” Dan Needham said, “is something wholesome,… — John Irving Frozen lake Copy Share Image
We permit bad taste in this country. In fact, we even encourage it - and reward it in all manner of ways. — John Irving Bad taste Copy Share Image
“At times, he admitted, he had been very happy in the apple business. He knew what Larch would have told him: that… — John Irving Business Copy Share Image
“He wanted to take Homer Wells in his arms, and hug him, and kiss him, but he could only hope that Homer… — John Irving Love Copy Share Image
“a part of adolescence is feeling that there's no one else around who's enough like yourself to understand you.” — John Irving Youth Copy Share Image
