In his By the Book interview at the New York Times, Colson Whitehead claims he doesn’t know the name of his all-time favorite novelist:
…because they never wrote anything. They had no inkling they had a knack for writing, so instead channeled that talent into being really nice to family, friends and strangers. It seems like a better way to spend one’s time, and a higher art.
Insightful as always, Whitehead also riffs on ZZ Packer’s short stories, mediocre Dallas barbeque, and Flannery O’ Connor’s social monogamy.
