“Joy was made of moments like this, each insignificant in itself, piled together into a monolith, immutable and strong, something to lean against when one's world went awry. [Jim Agnihotri]” JoyStrengthComfort Book:Murder in Old Bombay Source: Murder in Old Bombay
“I'd seen death at Maiwand. Dying friends and dead Afghans. On the road to Khandahar....and Karachi. Each time is different, but to me the pain was the same. An ache twists inside when a friend's eyes plead, pleading that gives way to realization, that final contortion as the body fights to hold a soul already breaking free, tearing its way out.” MurderSuicideSocial StratificationHistoric Bombay Book:Murder in Old Bombay Source: Murder in Old Bombay
“In polite circles, a man who was happy until then to shake my hand would hear my name...and pause. His shoulders would stiffen , and he might spot an acquaintance across the room, and need to meet him. Women who seemed perfectly gracious--as they heard my Indian surname, their eyes widen with understanding.” ZoroastriansParsee Book:Murder in Old Bombay Source: Murder in Old Bombay
“Whatever I had expected, it was not this. Astonishment gave way to bitterness. I was a mixed breed, a bastard, not worthy of his daughter. Had I not seen that mix of pity and disapproval all my life? Indians did not tolerate the mingling of races any more than the English.” CasteParseeZoroastrian Book:Murder in Old Bombay Source: Murder in Old Bombay