Author: Alice McDermott

Quotes

Memory is not pure. Memories told are not pure memories; memories told are stories. The storyteller will change them. I've always been interested in that.

Memory is not pure. Memories told are not pure memories; memories told are stories. The storyteller will change them. I've always been interested in that.

- Alice McDermott

I read a little bit of nonfiction and a lot of poetry. I think of poetry as my shot of whiskey when I don't have time to savor a whole bottle of wine.

I read a little bit of nonfiction and a lot of poetry. I think of poetry as my shot of whiskey when I don't have time to savor a whole bottle of wine.

- Alice McDermott

At the beginning of every semester, I ask my graduate students whether there is something I should read that will help me understand their work.

At the beginning of every semester, I ask my graduate students whether there is something I should read that will help me understand their work.

- Alice McDermott

For immigrant generations especially, family is the first structure, or shelter, for a people who are in exile.

For immigrant generations especially, family is the first structure, or shelter, for a people who are in exile.

- Alice McDermott

I think 'Charming Billy' ultimately is a novel about faith and what we believe in and, above all, what we choose to believe in.

I think 'Charming Billy' ultimately is a novel about faith and what we believe in and, above all, what we choose to believe in.

- Alice McDermott

I believe that the interior life is the same for all of us. And because they're steeped in faith, Irish-American Catholics are a people who have a language for the examined life.

I believe that the interior life is the same for all of us. And because they're steeped in faith, Irish-American Catholics are a people who have a language for the examined life.

- Alice McDermott

I have a great fondness for the liars in my stories.

I have a great fondness for the liars in my stories.

- Alice McDermott

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