One of the things that happens in novels it's almost like a continual debate with yourself. That's why you're writing the book. It's why you create characters: so you can argue with yourself.

She had always wanted words, she loved them; grew up on them. Words gave her clarity, brought reason, shape.

That's Anil's path. She grows up in Sri Lanka, goes and gets educated abroad, and through fate or chance gets brought back by the Human Rights Commission to investigate war crimes.

Everyone has to scratch on walls somewhere or they go crazy

The first sentence of every novel should be: Trust me, this will take time but there is order here, very faint, very human.

We are expanded by tears, we are told, not reduced by them.

We all have an old knot in the heart we wish to untie.

The joyful will stoop with sorrow, and when you have gone to the earth I will let my hair grow long for your sake, I will wander through the wilderness in the skin of a lion

There is the hidden presence of others in us, even those we have known briefly. We contain them for the rest of our lives, at every border that we cross.

For the first forty days a child is given dreams of previous lives. Journeys, winding paths, a hundred small lessons and then the past is erased.

A man in a desert can hold absence in his cupped hands, knowing it is something that feeds him more than water.

Man only has eyes to beauty when it costs them the inevitability of losing.

we inhale life and exhale words. that's just what writers' do--

Forgiveness does not mean I approve of or condone what transpired.

Spare yourself from seeking love, approval, or appreciation-from anyone. And watch what happens in reality, just for fun.

When you work hard...it's only fair that you party hard.

Creativity is the joy of not knowing it all.

It will always be a battle a day between those who want maximum change and those who want to maintain the status quo.

However happy the director is, I have to be okay with it. I'm pretty strict with myself, about throwing things out or trying to be true to whatever the situation dictates.

Love is no game! It is no flowery softness! It is hard work- It demands everything from you- especially the truth. Only then does it yield results.

Worry not that your child listens to you; worry most that they watch you.