Even though I went to Exeter and Yale, and I enjoyed all the trappings of those places, I think at the same time - and maybe it's because I'm an immigrant kid and not white - there was always this other consciousness; that is, I was conscious of everything that was going on. Chang-Rae Lee consciousconsciousnessenjoy share on social
After college, I was living in New York and wrote furiously, a huge novel that I knew was a failure. I hoped that the book would work, but to be honest, I think I knew it would never work, even as I was finishing it. Chang-Rae Lee bookcollegefailure share on social
We read and remember certain writers because they offer distinctive voices and perspectives, because they've given themselves over completely and passionately to their obsessions while vigorously ignoring everything else. Chang-Rae Lee completelydistinctivehave share on social
I'm not the sort of writer who can plan out things. Mostly I have no idea where I'm going. Chang-Rae Lee ideaplansort Change image and share on social
It's hard to write a war story without thinking about the 'Iliad.' Because the 'Iliad' knows everything about war. Chang-Rae Lee hardiliadstory Change image and share on social
We grow up with this idea that we're all individual agents. We work, make our money, have our place to live and our satellite TV. But whether you like it or not, you need family or community. Chang-Rae Lee agentcommunityfamily Change image and share on social
One of the ready advantages of writing a road or quest story is that it mirrors the experience of writing a novel. Chang-Rae Lee advantageexperiencemirror Change image and share on social
I suppose people might consider me a 'loose' reader, as I seem willing to read anything of quality thinking and prose. Chang-Rae Lee loosepeopleprose Change image and share on social
I have a hard time revising sentences, because I spend an inordinate amount of time on each sentence, and the sentence before it, and the sentence after it. Chang-Rae Lee amounthardinordinate Change image and share on social
My family immigrated when I was 3, and our predecessors inhabited the Korean Peninsula for as long as can be recalled. Chang-Rae Lee familyimmigrateinhabit Change image and share on social
