Quotes from Min Jin Lee

Yoseb would not allow Sunja to accept any money from Hansu for Noa's schooling.

I'll take care of myself and my people. You think I'd trust my life to a bunch of politicians? The people in charge don't know anything. And the ones who do don't care." Sunja

I have a granddaughter but no grandsons, and the girl cries too much.

Unable to breathe normally, she turned from him and stared at the oxen—their enormous dark eyes, full of eternal suffering. Had the others noticed them talking? They seemed to be focused on the comic book. Sunja covered her left hand with her right; despite her washing, her cuticles were still brown from the dirt.

He looked so happy, and it pleased her to see him like this. She could count on him to be a happy person.

It was as if a warm room had gotten cooler, but it was still the same room.

They do not hire Koreans or Chinese, but that will not matter to you since you are Japanese.' Bingo nodded several times. 'Soo desu,' Noa agreed (Lee 334).

The world is awash in hunger. How could you cause your own?

Anguish had deepened the lines along her mother's mouth like a frown setting in for good.

You know, I've never wanted to be with another woman. Ever. Not just because she's so lovely, but because she's so good.

If life allowed revisions, she would let them stay in their bath a little longer, read them one more story before bed, and fix them another plate of shrimp.

It's a filthy world, Solomon. No one is clean. Living makes you dirty. I've met plenty of fancy people from IBJ and the BOJ who are from the best families, and they like to do some sick shit in bed. A lot of them do very bad things in business, but they don't get caught. Most of the ones I've fucked would steal if they had the chance. They're too scared to have any real ambition. Listen, Solomon, nothing will ever change here. Do you see that?

Beyond the dailiness, there had been moments of shimmering beauty and some glory, too, even in this ajumma's life. Even if no one knew, it was true.

Was it that girl?

How could he marry a sinful woman who would

Fair or no, immigration is considered in the context of economic scarcity, fear of terrorism, wars and geopolitical conflicts, which may be incipient stages of informal proxy wars.

You're a fool," she said, laughing, "but you are my fool.

To have been with a man without marrying is a sin in the eyes of God. Where is this man? Why must Isak pay for your sin?

She was more cute than pretty, more pretty than beautiful.

he walked home alone, deep in thoughts of her, and he knew that he wanted to be with her, even if it would not be easy.

I thought that no matter how many hills and brooks you crossed, the whole world was Korea and everyone in it was Korean.

You have the kindest father in the land," her mother would often remark, and Sunja had been proud of his love for them, the way a child from a rich family might have been proud of her father's numerous bags of rice and piles of gold rings.

Yumi felt that her three elder half sisters were as sexually indiscriminate and common as barn animals.

For a woman, the man you marry will determine the quality of your life completely. A good man is a decent life, and a bad man is a cursed life