SOURCE: "An Interview with Paul West," in The Review of Contemporary Fiction, Vol. 11, No. 1, Spring, 1991, pp. 154-76.

In the following interview, Madden and West discuss major themes and influences in West's fiction.

The following interview was conducted in the front room of Paul West's home in Ithaca, New York, 15-17 June 1989. The discussion was memorable for many reasons, not the least of which were the torrential downpour outside, a temperamental fluorescent light that hummed and buzzed on and off, and a persistent groundhog determined to drown itself in West's pool. Each day West would greet me at noon with lunch, and throughout our conversations he was patient with the questions and eager to respond. He has been equally gracious in answering further questions through the mail. In all my dealings with Paul West I have found him to be delightful witty, considerate, solicitous, and extremely generous. In all...