What I like about non-fiction is that it covers such a huge territory. The best non-fiction is also creative

What interests me is trying to catch the reflection of the human being on the page. I'm interested in how ordinary people live their lives

How could a just God permit great misery? The Haitian peasants answered with a proverb: "Bondye konn bay, men li pa konn separe," in literal translation, "God gives but doesn't share." This meant... God gives us humans everything we need to flourish, but he's not the one who's supposed to divvy up the loot. That charge was laid upon us.

I do believe in God. I think God has given so much power to people, and intelligence, and said, 'Well, you are on your own. Maybe I'm tired, I need a nap. You are mature. Why don't you look after yourselves?' And I think He's been sleeping too much.

You do the right thing even if it makes you feel bad. The purpose of life is not to be happy but to be worthy of happiness.

If you live in the same small place long enough, something you don't like is bound to happen

The combination of domesticity and wildness - that's a deep expression