A Quote by Jennifer Egan

In the case of 'Goon Squad,' which sold slowly for a long time despite the good reviews, those 'best of 2010' lists were pivotal, and made the book really sell.

Jennifer Egan

Quote Topics

Best Book Case Despite Good Lists Long Long Time Made Pivotal Really Reviews Sell Slowly Sold Squad Those Time Were Which

Quote Author

Jennifer Egan
American - Novelist
Born: September 7, 1962

Proust, my big inspiration for 'Goon Squad,' uses music a lot in his novel, both in terms of plot and structure. I liked the idea of doing the same thing, which is one reason I structured 'Goon Squad' as a record album, with an A side and a B side, that's built around the contrasting sounds of the individual numbers in it.

Jennifer Egan

I knew as far back as 2001 that I would write a book called 'A Visit From the Goon Squad,' though I had no idea what kind of book it would be.

Jennifer Egan

I've sold a lot of records. I've sold, like, 150 million records, and I don't think I've had that many good reviews. It's one of those things that when you're really successful, critics hate you just because you're successful.

Boy George

Time’s a goon, right? You gonna let that goon push you around?” Scotty shook his head. “The goon won.

Jennifer Egan

I felt more doubtful than usual with 'Goon Squad,' because I knew that the book's genre wasn't easily named - Novel? Stories? Novel-in-stories? - and I worried that its lack of a clear category would count against it. My hopes for it were pretty modest.

Jennifer Egan

Despite 'Mod Squad's hit status, I never really made the inner connection that I was contributing.

Peggy Lipton

The book that is the closest genetically to 'Goon Squad' is 'Look at Me.' It has the futuristic element - although, freakishly, almost every aspect I invented has come to pass in some way, including the terrorist who fantasies about blowing up the World Trade Centre. That was extremely uncomfortable. The book came out on the week of 9/11.

Jennifer Egan

Writing is exhilarating, but reading reviews is not. I've been really devastated by 'good' reviews because they misunderstand the project of the book. It can be strangely galvanising to get a 'bad' one.

Eleanor Catton

Oooh, fashion, we are the goon squad and were coming to town, beep beep.

David Bowie

In a way, I started 'Goon Squad' not even realizing I was writing a book. I thought I was just writing a few stories to stall before starting this other book that I wanted to write - or thought I wanted to write: I still haven't written it.

Jennifer Egan

I always sold other peoples' fashions, so I wore jeans and t-shirts, and I put on what they needed to sell, and I'd sell it. So as far a nurturing my own style, it took me quite a long time to do it.

Brooke Shields

Shorter work - personal essays and book reviews - allow me to take a break from working on a book, which is good for the book and for its author.

Kathryn Harrison

I do wish that reviews were less like book reports. There was an era when reviewers had something to say about a book: when they painted context and drew conclusions. Many reviews these days are little more than plot summary.

Marcus Sakey

It seemed impossible that a scrappy book like 'Goon Squad' could win an award like that. It's such an iconic honor. I think what the Pulitzer means to me is that I'll need to work very, very hard to try to live up to it.

Jennifer Egan

Nixon had lists upon lists upon lists. They were tragic lists saying, 'Smile more,' or, 'Be stronger - remember, it is your job to spiritually uplift the nation.' This understanding of his limitations is heartbreaking.