After everything he'd built, planned, fought for, fretted over, dreamed of, this was the summation of his life; one disappointing son and two suitcases.

You don't have to donate money, it can be clothes, or books, or mediavl supplies. So there's so much that can be done [for refugees], the most difficult thing is that first step that decision to do something.

America was different. America was a river, roarng along, unmindful of the past. I could wade into this river, let my sins drown to the bottom, let the waters carry me someplace far. Someplace with no ghosts, no memories, and no sins.

People in the countryside carry a sense of dignity. They wear it, don't they? Like a badge? I'm being genuine.

she held her breath, and in her head, counted seconds. She pretended that for each second she didn’t breathe, God would grant her another day

There is a way to be good again.

If my book generates any sort of dialogue among Afghans, then I think it will have done a service to the community.