I've always been fascinated by the Chinese. This goes a long way back to my childhood. The Chinese invented money, movable type, clocks, and built the largest ships in the history of the world. Thomas Steinbeck backbuildchildhood Change image and share on social
I started writing serious books so late because I knew I'd be accused of riding on my father's coattails. Thomas Steinbeck accusebookcoattail Change image and share on social
When it comes to the form the narrative will take, whether first person, third person, or Aunt Grace's cat, I usually find that the story tells me which voice it prefers, and that often changes as I go along. And in the end it really doesn't matter as long as the author can rig those voices all in harness to pull the same load. Thomas Steinbeck auntauthorcat share on social
I like writing, but I write for self-improvement more than I do for money. Thomas Steinbeck improvementmoneywrite Change image and share on social
I thought my dad was out of work, because my friends had fathers with briefcases who'd go off somewhere with bow ties on. But my father would finish breakfast and go back to his room. Thomas Steinbeck backbowbreakfast Change image and share on social
I was eighteen when I first read Joseph Heller's stunning work 'Catch-22,' and was at that time close to being drafted for the fruitless and unenlightened war in Viet Nam. Thomas Steinbeck catchclosedraft Change image and share on social
I would hardly say that I have a rich knowledge of anything in particular, but I do seem to be burdened with an unseemly appetite for intellectual and artistic erudition, which, for the sake of balance, I keep well harnessed to a reliable sense of the absurd. Thomas Steinbeck absurdappetiteartistic share on social
For someone who loves literature, and all books on principle, being asked to name three titles over a half century of serious reading is akin to asking one to recall their three favorite sunsets. Thomas Steinbeck akinaskbook Change image and share on social
From my father's point of view, without a thought for self, a true patriot stands up against the stones of condemnation and speaks for those who are given no real voice in the halls of justice or the halls of government. Thomas Steinbeck condemnationfathergovernment share on social
When I was fifteen, my father gave me a first edition copy of Ray Bradbury's magnificent work, 'The Martian Chronicles.' I had read other science fiction by noted authors, but this book was something else altogether. Thomas Steinbeck altogetherauthorbook share on social