I think novelists, when they write their books, end up having occasionally serving a purpose and playing roles that they never really fully either intended or even understood.

Though there had been moments of beauty in it, Mariam knew that life for most part has been unkind to her. But as she walked the final twenty paces, she could not help but wish for more of it.

I entered the literary world, really, from outside. My entire background has been in sciences; I was a biology major in college, then went to medical school. I've never had any formal training in writing. So what I know about writing, I know from my own instincts, and whatever the narrative voice is in my own head.

If America taught me anything, it's that quitting is right up there with pissing in the Girl Scouts' lemonade jar.

There will be no floating waway. There will be no other reality tonight.

That's how children deal with terror, they fall asleep.

Usually in films, when Muslims pray, it's either before or after they've blown something up.