John Irving
John Irving
John Winslow Irving is an American novelist and Academy Award-winning screenwriter...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth2 March 1942
CountryUnited States of America
should-have decision finals
Life forces enough final decisions on us. We should have the sense to avoid as many of the unnecessary ones as we can.
memories never-forget forget
And never forget, there is memory.
thinking awkward praying
I think that was when the headmaster realized he had lost; he realized then that he was finished. Because, what could he do? Was he going to tell us to stop praying? We kept our heads bowed; and we kept praying. Even as awkward as he was, the Rev. Mr. Merrill had made it clear to us that there was no end to praying for Owen Meany.
want socialist ifs
If I had to be anything," he told her, "I'd probably be a socialist, but I don't want to be anything.
dumb monkeys voters
THERE'S NO MONKEY BUSINESS ABOUT THIS ELECTION,' he told the voters. 'IF YOU'RE ENOUGH OF AN ASSHOLE TO VOTE FOR NIXON, YOUR DUMB VOTE WILL BE COUNTED––JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE!
kids hands perfect
Kids are perfect people till grownups get their hands on them.
clothes heaven sells
Sell my old clothes - I'm off to heaven
loss childhood events
In increments both measurable and not, our childhood is stolen from us -- not always in one momentous event but often in a series of small robberies, which add up to the same loss.
matter language findings
I do know where I'm going and it's just a matter of finding the language to get there.
writing firsts written
I've always preferred writing in longhand. I've always written first drafts in longhand.
thrill anticipation excitement
The excitement of anticipation was *almost* equal to the thrill of lovemaking ...
like-being-alone capacity spend-time
And I find - I'm 63, and my capacity to be by myself and just spend time by myself hasn't diminished any. That's the necessary part of being a writer, you better like being alone.
lying wife people
What do Americans know about morality? They don't want their presidents to have penises but they don't mind if their presidents covertly arrange to support the Nicaraguan rebel forces after Congress has restricted such aid; they don't want their presidents to deceive their wives but they don't mind if their presidents deceive Congress- lie to the people and violate the people's constitution!
boys hands mouths
I don't want you to describe to me—not ever—what you were doing to that poor boy to make him sound like that; but if you ever do it again, please cover his mouth with your hand.