Time had not faded my memories (as I had prayed to God it might), nor had it healed my wounds as it is said always to do. I began each day with the hope that the next day would be better, my recollections a little less pointed, but I would awake to the same pain, as if a black lamp were burning eternally inside me, radiating darkness.

Censorship should never be allowed. One should be able to say anything. But I refuse to let politics be foisted on me.

What is the thing you want most from me? What can I do to make you love me?' Be yourself,' said Ipek.

People only tell lies when there is something they are terribly frightened of losing.

Heroic dreams are the consolation of the unhappy. After all, when people like us say we're being heroic, it usually means we're about to kill each other--or kill ourselves.

Many great authors of the 19th century wrote under conditions of strict censorship. The great thing about the art of writing a novel, is that you can write about anything. All you have to say is that it's fiction.

There's a lot of pride involved in my refusal to believe in god.