"I'm so drawn to Salinger's view of society back then, and to his sarcasm. I read Catcher in the Rye first, then [Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour]. I don't think there's ever been anything like these characters in American literature."

"I'm so drawn to Salinger's view of society back then, and to his sarcasm. I read Catcher in the Rye first, then [Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour]. I don't think there's ever been anything like these characters in American literature."

"I’ve read, reread and loved this book most of my life. It never disappoints. Twain writes with an easygoing virtuosity that makes American English the equal of any King’s. This is the book that codified American English, not Moby Dick or The Scarlet Letter. Those two great books are American Literature. Huck and Jim are America. The seeds of the tragedy of racism are planted on nearly every page of Twain’s masterpiece. Those birds are still coming home to roost."