We feel lucky if, during the course of our lives, we have a chance to sit and talk with one of our heroes. But when our hero not only lives up to but surpasses our expectations, we feel something closer to chosen, even blessed. Such were my feelings on a humid summer morning at Toni Morrison's apartment in lower Manhattan, where we began an extraordinary conversation that would—to my delight and surprise—last all day.

Toni Morrison on:

• Love
• Writing
• The Greater Good