Hortense Jiang

“There were torn between wanting to look back and wanting to exist absolutely in the new life they'd created”
― Cristina Henriquez, The Book of Unknown Americans

“It’s very tempting when you really want to be with someone to settle for much, much less - even a vague pathetic facsimile of less - than you would have ever imagined. Remember always what you set out to get and please don’t settle for less.”
― Greg Behrendt, He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys

“We left a lot of things behind - not only physical objects, but our friends and of course our families, pieces of ourselves - all for the chance to see that light in Maribel's eyes. It's been difficult, yes, but I would do it all again. People do what they have to do in this life. We try to get from one end of it to the other with dignity and with honor. We do the best we can.”
― Cristina Henriquez, The Book of Unknown Americans

“Sometimes I think I would rather just remember it in my head, all those streets and the places I loved. The way it smelled of car exhaust and sweet fruit. The thickness of the heat. The sound of dogs barking in alleyways. That's the Panama I want to hold on to. Because a place can do many things against you, and if it's your home or if it was your home at one time, you still love it. That's how it works.”
― Cristina Henriquez, The Book of Unknown Americans