Chang-Rae Lee Quotes & Sayings

“I don't believe complete assimilation is possible, at least not for anyone who has an active, open mind. Every step, every entry into the flows of existence can be seen as a beginning, a commencement of a brand new way of seeing oneself in the world. This is the case for everyone.”

“I'm interested in people who find themselves in places, either of their choosing or not, and who are forced to decide how best to live there. That feeling of both citizenship and exile, of always being an expatriate - with all the attendant problems and complications and delight.”

“I often think that the prime directive for me as a teacher of writing is akin to that for a physician, which is this: do no harm.”

“A novel, even a social realist one, can't simply be a comprehensive rendering of what is. A novel requires a special angle or approach, whether in structure or language or theme, to justify itself.”

“Part of writing a novel is being willing to leap into the blackness. You have very little idea, really, of what's going to happen. You have a broad sense, maybe, but it's this rash leap.”

“As for what's the most challenging aspect of teaching, it's convincing younger writers of the importance of reading widely and passionately.”

“I think my parents recognised that I'd always wanted to be a writer, and so they didn't think that this was some idle, faddish wish on my part.”

“I'm not the sort of writer who can plan out things. Mostly I have no idea where I'm going.”

“It's hard to write a war story without thinking about the 'Iliad.' Because the 'Iliad' knows everything about war.”

“One of the ready advantages of writing a road or quest story is that it mirrors the experience of writing a novel.”