"The Book of Ecclesiastes probably inspired the opening line of Beckett’s first published novel (“The sun shone, having no alternative, on the nothing new.”) Not Beckett’s most important work (whatever that means) or his most influential, but the one I love the most, maybe because he hadn’t yet perfected his art, maybe because it’s funny and sad and brilliant."

"About twenty years ago I was driving around Ireland with a friend. We stopped at a famous golf course and my friend played a round. Since I don’t play golf, I stayed in the clubhouse and read this novel. The Irishmen thought I was mad, a lone Yank sitting in the corner, laughing hysterically. The funniest book I’ve read"

"This wonderful short novel is a reminder of how jaded we’ve become as readers. I remember the exact moment (spoiler alert for 60-yr-old book) when I realized that this story about warring primitive tribes is set inside a lost generation ship. I was astounded by its (then) originality, and unassuming storytelling. And still am."

"Oh, Patty. I miss you! Her debut novel moved me really deeply. It's so personally written, although it is also a dry dissection of an experience with death, also of a brother. Having lost my own brother recently, Patty's book, along with “Fourteen Stories,” reminds me that there is a way out of grief, which is creativity."