The citizen takes his city for granted far too often. He forgets to marvel.

Like all of Latin America, Mexico after independence in 1821 turned its back on a triple heritage: on the Spanish heritage, because we were newly liberated colonies, and on our Indian and black heritages, because we considered them backward and barbaric. We looked towards France, England and the U.S., to become progressive democratic republics.

Religion is dogmatic. Politic is ideological. Reason must be logical, but literature has a privilege of being equivocal.

The Mexicans descend from the Aztecs; the Peruvians descend from the Incas; the Argentineans descend from the boats.

Contrary to the macho culture of Mexico, both my grandmothers were very brave young widows. I was always very close to these hard-working, intelligent women.

Recognize yourself in he and she who are not like you and me.

Memory is satisfied desire.