Jane Smiley - Time Quotes

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One of the things that Ivar knew about Mrs. Walker was that she would only tell him what she knew if he asked the right question, so he spent a portion of his time meditating over what he might ask Mrs. Walker and how he might phrase the question.

Jane Smiley
Another thing I learned is that novels, even those from apparently distant times and places, remain current and enlightening, and also comforting.

Jane Smiley
Americans took a great deal too much credit for creating wealth, when most of the time they had really just been living off natural bounty unprecedented in the history of the world.

Jane Smiley
Giving his lecture for the third time freed Dr. Lionel Gift from paying much attention to it. He had a naturally expressive style of delivery, hones over the years in elementary-econ lecture halls. He knew, without even thinking, to address the middle rows of the hall, but to occasionally "shoot" the listeners in the back corners. He knew how to make eye contact and solicit the attention of those who were thinking of other things.

Jane Smiley
There is something I have noticed about desire, that it opens the eyes and strikes them blind at the same time.

Jane Smiley
In a comic novel, the language has to stay perky so the reader will keep laughing. And yet it sort of defies making it deep, so it's hard to make it both funny and profound, comic and deep, all at the same time.

Jane Smiley