Author

I try to show ugliness, but with compassion for the people who commit ugly acts.

I begin a book with imagery, more than I do with an idea or a character. Some kind of poetic image.

I am occasionally enraptured by Western landscape. But I don't identify that state of mind as having to do with my own origins, having grown up in the West, although I certainly crisscrossed Nevada countless times growing up, and then as a young adult, in cars and on motorcycles.

From Rachel Kushner

When I see things in the world that leap out at me, I want to make use of them in fiction. Maybe every writer does that. It just depends on what you claim or appropriate as yours.

From Rachel Kushner

Eventually, I decided that if I was going to really write a novel, I couldn't do it in New York City while holding down a job. You need a constant money source to live in New York City unless you're independently wealthy, which I'm not.

From Rachel Kushner

L.A. is a great place to write because you have a lot of space. I have a big office at home, I can leave the doors open. Flowers bloom all year. But it's unglamorous in all the right ways.

From Rachel Kushner

It's really a misconception to identify the writer with the main character, given that the author creates all the characters in the book. In certain ways, I'm every character.

From Rachel Kushner

My mother told me many stories about her childhood in Cuba. Living there had a profound impact on her and how she regards herself.

From Rachel Kushner

Danzon is my favorite Cuban music, played by a traditional string orchestra with flute and piano. It's very formally structured but romantic music, which derives from the French-Haitian contradance.

From Rachel Kushner

I guess I'm not really fond of just chit-chatting. I want to learn something and have an experience.

From Rachel Kushner

Rachel Kushner

Notable Quotes

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