"Little in recent American literature is as fascinating as watching Glück become one of our most important poets. Her late work is astonishing for its formal freedom and philosophical breadth."

"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."

"One of the most beautifully told family sagas in world literature. Exploring gender identity, ethnic identity, American dream, immigrants, family memories and collective myths… but to me this is primarily a novel about belonging—how we fail but still somehow find the hope and the will to continue to try to belong."

"In my opinion James Purdy is the most underrated writer in American literature, probably because he was gay. His books are heart wrenching, brutal and sometimes flat-out mean-spirited but they are also incredibly beautiful and endlessly poetic. I'm not all that fond of books that make me cry but in Purdy's case, I don't mind."