The devil that stayed with me most vividly was the one from the cover of Iron Maiden's 'Number of the Beast' album. Victor LaValle albumbeastcover Change image and share on social
The people I am most interested in are the ones on the edge of losing everything and falling into the last bit of despair. I'm trying to write about how people exist on that edge and how they can come back. Victor LaValle backbitedespair share on social
I hadn't stopped fearing the chance of passing on an illness, but that fear had become balanced by the observation that being ill wasn't the same as being beaten. Victor LaValle balancebeatchance Change image and share on social
I like America, where believers eddy around each other like currents of air. Even our atheists are devout! To be an American is to be a believer. I don't have much faith in institutions, but I still believe in people. Victor LaValle airamericaamerican share on social
'The Ballad of Black Tom' was written, in part, during the latest round of arguments about H. P. Lovecraft's legacy as both a great writer and a prejudiced man. I grew up worshipping the guy, so this issue felt quite personal to me. Victor LaValle argumentballadblack share on social
Every era needs a genre through which it understands itself. Victor LaValle eragenreunderstand Change image and share on social
Clothes are a kind of uniform. A nun's habit, a surgeon's scrubs, a cop's uniform. People often say that when they put on a certain uniform, they actually think of themselves differently. Victor LaValle clothecopdifferently Change image and share on social
I can't inhabit my characters until I know what kind of work they do. This requires research because my jobs for the last decade have been author and professor, and I'd like to spare the world more author or professor novels. Victor LaValle authorcharacterdecade share on social
If you want to learn the true nature of a child you have to watch how she plays. If you want to learn the true nature of an adult you have to watch how she does her job. Victor LaValle adultchildjob Change image and share on social
Lumpy and lazy; I aspired to lethargy. In the second year of university, I missed half my classes just because I couldn't pull myself out of bed. Victor LaValle aspirebedclass Change image and share on social