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Quote by Tan Twan Eng

Work

The Garden of Evening Mists

This novel is a poignant exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the enduring power of art. Set in the aftermath of World War II, it delves into the lives of a Japanese gardener and a British woman, weaving together their personal histories and the beauty of traditional Japanese gardens. more

Author

Tan Twan Eng
Tan Twan Eng

Tan Twan Eng is a Malaysian author known for his unique literary style and profound cultural insights. His works often explore issues of identity, family, and society, winning him widespread acclaim from readers. more

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“I have become a collapsing star, pulling everything around it, even the light, into an ever-expanding void. Once I lose all ability to communicate with the world outside myself, nothing will be left but what I remember. My memories will be like a sandbar, cut off from the shore by the incoming tide. In time they will become submerged, inaccessible to me. The prospect terrified me. For what is a person without memories? A ghost, trapped between worlds, without an identity, with no future, no past.”

“You can be very religious and invoke the name of God and be able to quote lots of verses and be well versed in complicated theological systems and yet not be a person who sees. It’s one thing to sing about God and recite quotes about God and invoke God’s name; it’s another be aware of the presence in every taste, touch, sound, and embrace. With Jesus, what we see again and again is that it’s never just a person, or just a meal, or just an event, because there’s always more going on just below the surface.”

“It's fun to be almost grown up in some ways, but it's not the kind of fun I expected, Marilla. There's so much to learn and do and think that there isn't time for big words.”

“I can think of no honorable answer. Why must some of us deliberate between brands of toothpaste, while others deliberate between damp dirt and bone dust to quiet the fire of an empty stomach lining? There is nothing about the United States I can really explain to this child of another world.”