Writing the past is never a neutral act. Writing always asks the past to justify itself, to give its reasons... provided we can live with the reasons. What we want is a narrative, not a log; a tale, not a trial. This is why most people write memoirs using the conventions not of history, but of fiction.

Exiles see double, feel double, are double. When exiles see one place, they're also seeing - or looking for - another behind it.

For every life we live, there are at least eight others we've gotten close to but may never know.

Andre Aciman Quotes