Welcome to a collection of insightful and thought-provoking quotes by Ian Frazier, an American writer known for his keen observations on contemporary life, culture, and the human experience. With a distinct blend of wit, humor, and keen insight, Frazier has captivated readers through his essays, articles, and books, offering unique perspectives on a wide array of subjects, from everyday occurrences to profound reflections on society and the natural world.
Ian Frazier’s writing is characterized by its rich storytelling, vivid imagery, and deep understanding of the human condition. Whether he’s exploring the complexities of modern life, delving into the quirks of American culture, or celebrating the beauty of the natural world, Frazier’s words have a way of resonating with readers, inviting them to see the world through a new lens and sparking contemplation about the world around them. His ability to find humor and profundity in the ordinary moments of life makes his work both relatable and inspiring, leaving a lasting impact on those who encounter it. Below, you’ll find a curated selection of Ian Frazier quotes that encapsulate his wit, wisdom, and unique perspective on the world.
There’s an idea of the Plains as the middle of nowhere, something to be contemptuous of. But it’s really a heroic place. Ian Frazier
I don’t want to participate in traditional Indian religious ceremonies – dance in a sun dance or pray in a sweat lodge or go on a vision quest with the help of a medicine man. The power of these ceremonies has an appeal, but I’m content with what little religion I already have. Ian Frazier
Russia has always had a global history. Global history is a bummer. You suffer invasions of all different kinds. And Russia was not defended against them. Ian Frazier
On two or three book tours, I have visited bookstores in the Mall of America and signed copies of my books and introduced myself to store employees who I hope will sell them. Ian Frazier
Siberia is a state of mind. Ian Frazier
I suppose anybody just losing it and sputtering curses is pretty funny. But I think it would be more of a challenge, much more of a challenge, to make a cursing dad funny. Ian Frazier
I think Indians dress better than anyone, but I don’t want to imitate more than a detail or two; I prefer my clothes humdrum and inconspicuous, and a cowboy hat just doesn’t work for me. Ian Frazier
Words are charms. It’s like a song you didn’t even know you knew. Ian Frazier
To me, a bag in a tree is like a flag of chaos, and when I remove it, I’m capturing the flag of the other side. In the end, it doesn’t matter how ironic or serious or even effective on a larger scale bag snagging may be. Ian Frazier
I’d read books in Russian, and they would take me forever. I wanted to write a book that would last and would not be superficial. Siberian-travel writing is its own genre. Ian Frazier
America to me is so varied and exciting. I always feel nostalgia for the place I’m not in, and then I get there and find myself in a traffic jam going into the Lincoln Tunnel, and I think, ‘God, why was I romanticizing this part of the country?’ I think it has to do with the romantic, unrealistic temperament. Ian Frazier
When I go to Indian reservations in the West, and especially to the Pine Ridge Reservation, I sometimes feel unsure where to put my foot when I open the car door. The very ground is different from where I usually stand. There are fewer curbs, fewer sidewalks, and almost no street signs, mailboxes, or leashed dogs. Ian Frazier
Writing humor for me is more like a watchful-ness. You have to watch. When you say something funny, or someone else does, it’s more like you wait for the piece. Ian Frazier
I think what is important for things to be funny is if you the listener, or the reader, get a chance to supply the humor of it yourself. Ian Frazier
I only saw one English-speaking person all the way across Siberia. Ian Frazier
Despite the obvious benefits, many Americans do not like Texas. Some even say they despise Texas, and make no secret of their feelings. Ian Frazier
When I needed to think or was really upset, generally I climbed a tree. Ian Frazier
With reporting, if you work hard, you can usually pull something out. But writing humor doesn’t respond to working hard, necessarily. I mean, you could just sit there and look at the page all day and maybe something will come. Ian Frazier
You can find dozens of books about people taking the Trans-Siberian Railroad. I knew I had to do something different to cross Siberia. To drive and to talk with people along the way, that was how I wrote my book ‘Great Plains’. I drove and camped in Siberia, but did not have a real program. Ian Frazier
I believe that when Crazy Horse was killed, something more than a man’s life was snuffed out. Ian Frazier
I don’t want to collect Indian art, though pots and beadwork and blankets made by Indians remain the most beautiful art objects in the American West, in my opinion. Ian Frazier
I was friends with Russians who said I should see Russia. I went there in ’93 and it was so exciting, and I went to Siberia and had a great time. Ian Frazier
People in Russia adapt to misery by a deep, deep humor. Ian Frazier
Leading economists have shown that by shrinking Texas, we can actually create more income for Texas in the long run. Ian Frazier
I’m one of those people who happen to like trees. I don’t know why – I just do. As a kid, I loved to climb them. The distant, upper branches, especially, were celestial and alluring. Ian Frazier
When the days start to get shorter, I want to be in some nice brick building on the East Coast with the lights glowing in the windows. When the daylight starts changing, I want to be out West. Ian Frazier
I am an author, and like many in my profession, I am also a traveling salesman, going all over in an attempt to persuade people to spend twenty-five dollars on a hardcover book by me. Ian Frazier
Russian humor is to adapt or make some sense or nonsense out of the insanity of their lives. Ian Frazier
I don’t have a disregard for my reader in humor pieces. Ian Frazier
Once, America’s size in the imagination was limitless. After Europeans settled and changed it, working from the coasts inland, its size in the imagination shrank. Ian Frazier
Russians don’t complain, usually. Ian Frazier
Human connection is the way things work. It’s like a patronage system. You know somebody, and he knows somebody, and he knows somebody, and he knows the district governor, and it’s okay. Ian Frazier
America can enjoy a vital, fully functioning government, with all the benefits provided by Texas, while reducing Texas at the same time. Ian Frazier
I would hate to see the idea of freedom disappear, and I wonder if maybe it will. Ian Frazier
A book tour is not a good opportunity to let your mind wander. You have to pay attention, remember salespeople’s and interviewers’ names, succinctly summarize your book in a ‘selling’ way, and so on. Ian Frazier
Everything in Russia is made of cement – phone booths, fence posts and light bulbs. Ian Frazier
