Quotessence
Home / Authors / John Irving
John Irving

John Irving Quotes

Novelist

Filter quotes by topic

AllIfsWritingPeopleKnowsNovelThinkingStoriesWantWayFeelsOwen MeanyEnoughShouldBookKindWorldBelieveSaidFirstsMemories

Famous John Irving Quotes

“Along the (writing) way accidents happen, detours get taken... But these are not "divine" accidents; I don't believe in those. I believe you have constructive accidents en route through a novel only because you have mapped a clear way. If you have confidence that you have a clear direction to take, you always have confidence to explore other ways; if they prove to be mere digressions, you'll recognize that and make the necessary revisions. The more you know about a book, the freer you can be to fool around. The less you know, the tighter you get.”

IfsKnowsWayWritingBelieveBookHappensI BelieveNovelTakenClearDivineFoolProveMereDon't BelieveAccidentsRoutesConstructiveHave ConfidenceRevisionDetoursAccidents HappenClear Direction
Author:John Irving
Create image

“I've always been interested in miracles, or the miraculous of the unexplained. I don't scoff at what makes people believe or want to believe. I think I understand the tremendous attraction of the mysteries of the church to the same degree that I understand and appreciate the frustration people feel, especially believers, with the human rule-making arm of the church, with the not-miraculous part of the church - any church.”

PeopleThinkingWantFeelsBelieveHumansChurchMysteryArmsDegreesAppreciateMiracleAttractionBelieverFrustrationMiraculousUnexplained
Author:John Irving
Create image

“Here in St. Cloud’s,” Dr. Larch wrote, “ I have been given the choice of playing God or leaving practically everything up to chance. It is my experience that practically everything is left up to chance much of the time; men who believe in good and evil, and who believe that good should win, should watch for those moments when it is possible to play God – we should seize those moments. There won’t be may”

MenShouldBelieveMayHas BeensPlayMomentsChoicesEvilWinningLeftGivenChanceWatchesLeavingCloudsGood And EvilDrsPlaying God
Author:John Irving
Create image

“Anyone can be sentimental about the nativity; any fool can feel like a Christian at Christmas. But Easter is the main event; if you don’t believe in the resurrection, you’re not a believer." “If you don’t believe in Easter,” Owen Meany said. “Don’t kid yourself—Don’t call yourself a Christian.”

IfsFeelsBelieveSaidKidsChristianEventsFoolDon't BelieveBelieverResurrectionSentimentalEasterNativityOwen Meany
Book:A Prayer For Owen Meany
Create image