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Quote by Chris Abani

“I didn't leave Africa, I left Nigeria, and for political reasons. But ... I've never, never left Africa, and I certainly never left what it means to be Ibo. That is something you carry with you.”

Quote by Chris Abani

Author

Chris Abani, born on December 27, 1966, is a Nigerian-British author known for his works in novels, poetry, and drama. His writing is celebrated for its profound themes and unique narrative style. more

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“The privilege of being a writer is that you have this opportunity to slow down and to consider things.”

Opportunity Down And Privilege Slow Down

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“Here's the thing: You rescue us every day in small, quiet ways, so why not in this way? Let us into your mystery, tell us how you would like to be loved, show us how to see you, really see you.”

Way Shows Mystery Quiet Why Not Rescue

Author:Chris Abani

“Elvis, stop dat! You know it is taboo to whistle at night. You will attract a spirit.”

Knows Spirit Night Taboo

Book:GraceLand: A Novel

Source: GraceLand: A Novel

“Nigerians are everywhere. There's an old joke, particularly about the Ibos, that when you finally land on Mars, you're going to find a Nigerian there who has a shop that is selling Coca-Cola--who took a speculative trip 20 years ago and has been waiting for everyone else to arrive.”

Years Has Beens Waiting Land Jokes Years Ago Selling Shops Mars Coca Cola Old Jokes

Author:Chris Abani

“My mom taught me to read when I was two or three. When I was five I read and wrote well enough to do my nine-year older brother's homework in exchange for chocolate or cigarettes. By the time I was 10, I was reading Orwell, Tolstoy's War and Peace, and the Koran. I was reading comic books too.”

Years Wells Two Book War Enough Three Reading Five Taught Brother Mom My Mom Nine Comic Chocolate Cigarette Comic Book Homework Nine Years Older Brother

Author:Chris Abani

“Sometimes we say we want an end to hate or racism or sexism. But we all participate in keeping these structures alive. If everyone decided to relinquish the past what would happen to people who feel that there hasn't been proper atonement made to them? And what happens to the person who feels that the constant atonement is their identity?”

People Ifs Want Feels Persons Made Ends Sometimes Happens Past Hate Alive Identity Racism Decided Structure Constant Sexism Atonement

Author:Chris Abani

“You can count on Scandinavian literature for a certain kind of darkness, a modern mythic style.”

Kind Certain Literature Darkness Modern Style Scandinavians

Author:Chris Abani

“Much of the image of the amazingness of America comes from the movies into other cultures. And it's much the same thing when you reverse it. Much of Africa is presented through poverty, through drought and war. [But] you're not presenting people, you're not presenting countries, you're not presenting complexity, and so people can't care about an amorphous mass called Africa.”

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Author:Chris Abani

“That women are mysterious and unknowable is something every young man grows up believing. Men, on the other hand, never think of themselves as mysterious or confusing, and we are often at a loss as to why women want to figure us out.”

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Author:Chris Abani

“Time was the only variable in every equation of power and oppression--how long before the pot boiled over.”

Long Oppression Pot Equations Variables

Book:The Secret History of Las Vegas: A Novel

Source: The Secret History of Las Vegas: A Novel