Do you know why I left America, Lidewij? So that I would never again have to encounter Americans." "But you are an American." "Incurably so, it seems.

Where do you come up with these zingers, Clint? Do you own some kind of joke factory in Indonesia where you've got eight-year-olds working ninety hours a week to deliver you that kind of top-quality witticism? There are boy bands with more original material.

Leaving feels too good, once you leave.

I could stand up and go to her and kiss her. I could. But there is still too much to be ruined.

This is what I love about novels - both reading them and writing them. They jump into the abyss to be with you where you are.

He called out to his fellow monks,'Come quickly I am tasting stars.

I liked Augustus Waters. I really, really really liked him. I liked the way his story ended with someone else. I liked his voice. I liked that he took existentially-fraught free throws.