Life is simply experience; for reasons not readily discerned, we attempt to go on.

In re-reading 'Presumed Innocent,' the one thing that struck me - and I re-read the book four different times in writing 'Innocent,' interested in different things each time - but I did think there were a couple of extra loops in the plot that I probably didn't need. The other thing that sort of amazed me was how discursive the book was.

The purpose of narrative is to present us with complexity and ambiguity.

The prosecutor, who is supposed to carry the burden of proof, really is an author.

The overwhelmingly successful trial book of my early adolescence had been To Kill A Mocking Bird.

Those kind of dilemmas are commonplace when you're a prosecutor. You're always in that position with the flipper witnesses.