Literature is breathing. I teach literature the way someone else might teach First Aid.

The fact that I am writing to you in English already falsifies what I wanted to tell you. My subject: how to explain to you that I don't belong to English though I belong nowhere else

My writing, such as it is, grows out of my sense of discolation, I mean, dislocation. Having lost my place, I write to find my place, or to find once again that I have lost my place.

I was born in Cuba but was made in the USA.

Every book I think will be my last one because after finishing I have the sense that I've said all I have to say, but I always seem to find a new way of repeating myself.

My father's death took me to a place I had never been and a place I had never left. In his absence, I've had to rely more on myself.

I am a loner by nature, and then I'm a writer, which makes me twice a loner.

There's a Cuban saying: Bicho malo nunca muere. Loose translation: The good die young but the wicked live forever. It seems to apply to Fidel. I hope it applies to me.

I read fiction all the time. It's true that I don't like fantasy or science fiction. I like "realistic" novels, particularly those in which nothing much ever happens.

The fact that Iam writing to youin Englishalready falsifies what Iwanted to tell you.My subject:how to explain to youthat I don't belong to Englishthough I belong nowhere else, if not herein English.

The fact that Iam writing to youin Englishalready falsifies what Iwanted to tell you.My subject:how to explain to you that Idon't belong to Englishthough I belong nowhere else

It is the sheer ugliness and banality of everyday life which turns my blood to ice and makes me cringe in terror.

Newt shook his head, his face a mixture of anger and awe. “What you did was half brave and half bloody stupid. Seems like you’re pretty good at that.

All is not done when we have spoken to God by prayer; our petitions are to be pursued with real endeavours.

I don't care what other people's judgments come down to-I care what my judgments come down to.

Excuse me, everybody, I have to go to the bathroom. I really have to telephone, but I'm too embarrassed to say so.

Human morality is unthinkable without empathy.

For in the end, the irreality function functions as well in the face of man as in the face of the cosmos. What would we know of others if we did not imagine things?

When we get to wishing a great deal for ourselves, whatever we get soon turns into mere limitation and exclusion.

I can make a better living as an actor than I can as a director. Though I certainly would prefer to be directing movies.

To me, cricket is a simple game. Keep it simple and just go out and play.