It's funny how in that moment I see things clearly. Am I beaten down? Yes. Have I allowed myself to become a victim? Somewhat. Am I afraid? Always. Does some part of me still long to fly away from this place? Absolutely. But I can't leave. Sam and I have built a life for Joy. It isn't perfect, but it's a life. My family's happiness means more to me that starting over again. Page 210

The classics tell us that, in relationships, the one between teacher and student comes second only to the one between parent and child.

Obey, obey, obey, then do what you want.

People write to me all the time, and I write back.

I know a lot about women and their suffering, but I still know almost nothing about men.

I don't really know anything about the movie business, even though I've lived in Los Angeles my whole life - somehow I've never bumped into it.

The greatest calling of all is to have a literary life.