Elif Batuman Quotes
I had wanted to write 'The Possessed' as fiction, but everyone told me that no one would read a novel about graduate students. It seems almost uncivilized to tell someone writing a novel, 'No, you have to call this a memoir.'
Quotes to Explore
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In the case of my book, I don't think it's really the coming-out gay novel that everyone really needed, even though it was received as such. The boy is too creepy, he betrays his teacher, the only adult man with whom he's enjoyed a sexual experience, etc.
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I just like to stay a little quiet and just do my own thing. If I win a little more, I think I'll get a little bit more attention.
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When my lady and I sit down and watch TV, I find she gets annoyed at characters because they don't do what she would do in the situation. I'm always like, 'Well, she has to do that because that's what the story is.'
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I have no problem with violence, I have no problem playing horrible people.
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I made sacrifices willingly; it was what I did best.
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I just make up lyrics off the top of my head. A lot of times, there's a phrase I really like, and I kind of build the song around that.
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I wonder now how tough you have to be to get big things done.
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Coming up with ideas isn't hard. The real challenge is finding the time to actually build something and then finding a home for it.
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'Vanity' means worthlessness.
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It's very important not to lose your temper in a courtroom, or in anything else you're doing.
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The woman who purposely destroys her unborn child is guilty of murder. With us there is no nice enquiry as to its being formed or unformed.
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Silk Road to Ruin has all the analysis and it's structured very well. I rely on my notes more and I use direct quotes. But there's nothing like writing about it right away.
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If you take shortcuts, you get cut short.
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We create success or failure on the course primarily by our thoughts.
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Life experience is not something to be denied, but to be celebrated.
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They hate whom they fear.
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We won't stop until the first Saudi license is issued to a woman.
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We need to continue our full support of the nascent Iraqi government by helping to rebuild their economic infrastructure and maintain security while training the Iraqi security forces.
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So for years I kept mum about my passion for needle arts.
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If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.
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I think I succeeded in getting the Egyptian people excited about the importance of science, and this is the only way Egypt can get out of this dark ages.
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For every talent that poverty has stimulated it has blighted a hundred.
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Mr. Lemon-Man has inspired millions across the world through his gift. I don't refer only to basketball, but also to his magnificent gift of caring, sharing, and loving all people. I only hope my kids would possess an ounce of the Lemon-Man's heart, which easily radiates through that smile.
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I had wanted to write 'The Possessed' as fiction, but everyone told me that no one would read a novel about graduate students. It seems almost uncivilized to tell someone writing a novel, 'No, you have to call this a memoir.'
