We [in The Khaled Hosseini Foundation] support and fund projects that bring jobs, healthcare, and education to women and children. In addition, we award scholarships to women pursuing higher education in Afghanistan.

The finger cut, to save the hand.

She is furious with herself for her own stupidity. Opening herself up like this, voluntarily, to a lifetime of worry and anguish. It was madness. Sheer lunacy. A spectacularly foolish and baseless faith, against enormous odds, that a world you do not control will not take from you the one thing you cannot bear to lose. Faith that the world will not destroy you.

Your job today is to pass gas. You do that and we can start feeding you liquids. No fart, no food.

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 was so much goodness in my life. So much happiness. I wondered whether I deserved any of it.

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