Anita Desai Quotes

“It frightened her to see the ferocity with which they had destroyed the little thing.”

“It was taken away when the British left -the people of Bombay did not want to see a foreign ruler after independence, not even a stone one.”

“Leave it to the gods—that is all we can do, leave it to the gods.”

“Hari went to her and said, “Let me get the medicine for you. Let me hold the baby.” She looked at him in surprise, then shook her head, saying, “No, no—I can do that,” and he turned away, knowing he could not help her.”

“I thought you were a Parsee and celebrate only the Parsee festivals.” “Oh no, no, no, boy,” cried Mr. Panwallah comically. “What would be the fun of that? And why should I miss the fun of all the Hindu and Muslim festivals? No, no, I believe in sharing everything, enjoying everything. That is why I have so much fun, eh? No gloom for me, eh?”

“But somehow, when she woke up in the morning, she felt she had to flee to the beach...”

“Hari was shocked by the story but he did not like to be thought of as another orphan in Jagu’s care. He did have parents after all—even if one was a drunkard and the other an invalid—and a home, a proper home, not just a place on a railway platform.”

“The wheel turns and turns and turns: it never stops and stands still.”

“Everything belonged here, everything blended together—except for himself.”

“Hari and the other Alibagh villagers stood open-mouthed in amazement: they had not brought along a single woman with them, had not thought it necessary, had been sure that they, the menfolk, could manage it all on their own and the women would only be a nuisance.”