The universal human laws – need, love for the beloved, fear, hunger, periodic exaltation, the kindness that rises up naturally in the absence of hunger/fear/pain – are constant, predictable, reliable, universal, and are merely ornamented with the details of local culture. – George Saunders
Its funny with fiction – once you cut something, it hasnt happened anymore. – George Saunders
If death is in the room, its pretty interesting. But I would also say that Im interested in getting myself to believe that its going to happen to me. Im interested in it, because if youre not, youre nuts. Its really de facto what were here to find out about. – George Saunders
A John Updike is a once-in-a-generation phenomenon, if that generation is lucky: so comfortable in so many genres, the same lively, generous intelligence suffusing all he did. – George Saunders