361 Quotes by Jennifer Egan

When I pick up a book that's, you know, wreathed in laurels, I expect a lot, and that doesn't give the book its best chance to shine.

I blurb a lot of books by women, and I'm eager to provide encouragement and support for young women.

Criticism is fine and conversation is fine, but the person who's criticizing should know what they're saying and whom they're criticizing.

In terms of rock and roll, I'm often drawn to louder, rougher stuff; maybe that's my history as a punk rock wannabee showing itself! Honestly, though, I'm not one of those people who listens to music constantly. I really love silence.

Like many people of my generation, I feel like I survived my adolescent mischief only by a miracle, and it seems too much to hope for that the same miracle would befall my children - therefore, I want to make sure they take fewer chances than I did.

I have a tendency to coddle my sons because I want to keep them safe, but I also want them to be strong and independent and curious and bold, and I worry that my coddling is going to have exactly the opposite effect.

I teach intermittently, and while I enjoy it, I don't find that it's a calling for me.

It's the feeling of being lifted out of my life into another world that is the thrill of writing fiction.

I always feel very afraid as I work on books. It's just so hard to write a decent book!