I grew up reading Updike. I remember being alarmed to find that he had published short stories by the time he was 22. I think 'Pigeon Feathers' was the first collection of stories I read. Only much later did I discover his non-fiction reviewing and art criticism. Justin Cartwright alarmartcollection share on social
I love John Updike immoderately. I am profoundly shocked that he has gone because he was, for me, the greatest American writer of the second half of the 20th century. He was also a gracious, charming, and witty man. Justin Cartwright 20thamericancentury share on social
The Bodleian Library, next to the Sheldonian, is one of the great libraries of the world. As well as holding most of the books printed in England since the first quarter of the 17th century, it houses priceless printed texts, manuscripts, and collections. Justin Cartwright 17thbodleianbook share on social
'Homer and Langley' is the work of E. L. Doctorow's old age. There are fewer Homeric references than you might have expected, given that the narrator is called Homer Collyer and is blind, although, like the classical Homer, not born blind. Justin Cartwright agebearblind share on social
Winning the Whitbread was a very major thing for me. I'd always been well reviewed, but this made me widely read. Justin Cartwright majormakeread Change image and share on social
The plane approaches Cape Town and, as always, I am astonished by the view of Table Mountain and the surrounding sea. It is so overwhelmingly beautiful that I feel the urge to belong - not necessarily to the people, but to the landscape. Justin Cartwright approachastonishbeautiful share on social
The point about 'state-of-the-nation' novels is not that they should be about the 'state-of-the-nation', but they should be about people. Justin Cartwright nationnovelpeople Change image and share on social
You can't believe anything that's written in an historical novel, and yet the author's job is always to create a believable world that readers can enter. It's especially so, I think, for writers of historical fiction. Justin Cartwright authorbelievablecreate share on social
Nicola Barker is both prodigiously talented and admirably fearless. I have loved her books. But for some time, I had little or no idea what the point of the story of Sri Ramakrishna was. In fact, he was one of the outstanding men of 19th-century India. Justin Cartwright 19thadmirablybarker share on social
Consciousness - that, to me, is the theme of the modern novel. Justin Cartwright consciousnessmoderntheme Change image and share on social