There is something in us that loves certain disasters and the fever of this moment and surrendering to that.

The average food item on a U.S. grocery shelf has traveled farther than most families go on their annual vacations.

Perhaps growing up meant we put our knives away and feigned ignorance of the damage.

Let me claim that Africa and I kept company for a while and then parted ways as if we were both party to relations with a failed outcome. Or say I was afflicted with Africa like a bout of a rare disease from which I have not managed a full recovery.

A woman without a man -- a condition of 'manlessness' -- is defined as alone. But a single mother is less alone than the average housewife.

I struggle with confidence, every time. I’m never completely sure I can write another book. Maybe my scope is too grand, my questions too hard, surely readers won’t want to follow me here. A novel is like a cathedral, it knocks you down to size when you enter into it.

War so conspicuously benefits rich men and kills the poor ones.