Jaya

“He used to make me feel that nothing I said was witty enough or sarcastic enough or smart enough. He was always struggling to be different, even when it didn’t matter. It was as if he was performing his life instead of living his life.”
― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, The Thing Around Your Neck

“If we ran Nigeria like this cell," he said, "we would have no problems in this country. Things are so organized. Our cell has a Chief called General Abacha and he has a second in command. Once you come in, you have to give them some money. If you don't, you're in trouble.”
― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, The Thing Around Your Neck

“The sun goes down. The trees bend,
they straighten up. They bend.
 
At eight the youngest daughter comes.
She holds his hand.
She says, Did they feed you?
He says no.
He says, Get me out of here.
He wants so much to say please,
but won’t.
 
After a pause, she says—
he hears her say—
I love you like salt.”
― Margaret Atwood, Morning in the Burned House: Poems

“How can you love somebody and yet want to manage the amount of happiness that person is allowed?”
― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, The Thing Around Your Neck