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“I’m caught between my desire to understand and my desire to appear as though I already understand.”
― Noor Naga, If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English

“Time to face the facts. This pattern of inserting myself as the narrator between scenes, so that I can burden you with endless rants that no one needs to hear, has an ulterior motive. I've been exploiting my narrative position to hoodwink readers, using this first-person narrator to infuse the work with idiosyncratic nuance. I was arrogant enough to think that I could be the first Japanese author to employ such a sublimely Western style. And yet, I failed. But no, even this confession of failure can be counted as part of the novel's grand design. So you see, I can't be trusted. Don't believe a single word I say."

Why do I bother writing novels? Am I lured by the glory of literary celebrity? Or do I simply want to write bestsellers and cash huge checks? Let me spare you the theatrics. I want both. So bad it hurts. But there I go again, another brazen lie. The sort of lie that ties you up in knots when you're not looking. As despicable and treacherous a lie as they come. Why do I bother writing novels - I had to bring it up. Oh well. At the risk of giving you a pompous explanation, I'll put it this way.

”
― Osamu Dazai, The Flowers of Buffoonery

“Ah! Are not all authors the same? So quick to dress up their confessions. I barely qualify as human. Will I ever be a functional member of society? Even as I write these words, I worry how the sentences will sound.”
― Osamu Dazai, The Flowers of Buffoonery

“Question: How much vanity does it take to be a healer? Answer: An astronomical amount.”
― Noor Naga, If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English