At first I read mostly books by Southern authors - black and white - because almost all the people I knew were born and raised in the South, starting with my mother. I remember I got a lot of Erskine Caldwell. Edward P. Jones authorbearblack share on social
People seem to have trouble with the imagination. They can't believe that you can just pull things out of your brain like that. Edward P. Jones brainimaginationpeople Change image and share on social
'Jane Eyre,' when I think of that book, it conjures up the best moments of college English courses. Literature is extraordinary, especially when you have a good professor. Edward P. Jones bookcollegeconjure Change image and share on social
I have said with as much sincerity as I can muster that if I were thrown into a dungeon with a sentence of one hundred years, with my only company being an illiterate guard who came twice a day with meals but who never spoke, I would still write - on coarse toilet paper in the dark if I could spare it. Edward P. Jones coarsecompanydark share on social
My father was Catholic, and my mother wanted me to go to Catholic school. That's what I did in first grade. But she couldn't afford the payments. I think it must have hurt her a lot, not to be able to give me a Catholic education. Edward P. Jones affordcatholiceducation share on social
Perhaps if I knew I would be stranded on an island with but one book, I would choose the Bible. For no religious reason whatsoever, but because of the varieties of stories, which might be useful as the days pass. Edward P. Jones biblebookchoose share on social
I'm not afraid of my own company. I was made to be at home. Edward P. Jones afraidcompanyhome Change image and share on social
In journalism, a fact is just a fact. But in fiction, you have to build your case. It has to be made, step by step. Edward P. Jones buildcasefact Change image and share on social
I never like to put myself in the stories; in 'Lost in the City,' there are fourteen stories, and there's only one, 'The First Day,' about a little girl going to school, that has anything to do with me. Edward P. Jones citydayfourteen share on social
My mother worked in the white world, but I lived almost exclusively in a black world. I don't think I had ever seen a white teacher until I got to high school. Edward P. Jones blackexclusivelyhigh Change image and share on social