Significant Quotes
"...in the history of the world it might even be that there was more punishment than crime..." (Preface, Cormac McCarthy, The Road).
“What is building, and rebuilding and rebuilding again, but an act of faith?”
“Every time a crime was committed by a Muslim, that person's faith was mentioned, regardless of its relevance. When a crime is committed by a Christian, do they mention his religion? ... When a crime is committed by a black man, it's mentioned in the first breath: 'An African American man was arrested today...' But what about German Americans? Anglo Americans? A white man robs a convenience store and do we hear he's of Scottish descent? In no other instance is the ancestry mentioned.” (Page, 37)
“[Zeitoun’s] frustration with some Americans was like that of a disappointed parent. He was so content in this country, so impressed with and loving of its opportunities, but then why, sometimes, did Americans fall short of their best selves? If you got him started on the subject, it was the end of any pleasant meal.” (Page 37)
"'Nothing's going to happen. People are making a big deal for no reason.'" (Page, 54)
“[Zeitoun's] grandmother had stayed put during countless storms in her home on Arwad Island, and he planned to do the same. A home was worth fighting for.” (Page 70)
"It was not right to watch a woman of her age suffer like this. The situation had stolen her dignity, and it pained him to bear witness." (Page, 103)
"Zeitoun was invigorated. He had never felt such urgency and purpose." (Page, 106)
"The media consensus was that New Orleans had descended into a "third-world" state...Residents were being referred to as refugees." (Page, 109)
"Zeitoun felt again that perhaps this was his calling, that God had waited to put him here and not to test him in this way. And so he hoped...that his siblings might see him like this, on the water, a sailor again, being useful, serving God." (Page, 167)
"[Kathy] needed to see him, wherever he was. She needed to find him and bury him. She needed all of this to end." (Page, 200)
“[Kathy] had not wanted their family to become collateral damage in a war that had no discernible fronts, no real shape, and no rules.” (Page 252)
“What is building, and rebuilding and rebuilding again, but an act of faith?”
“Every time a crime was committed by a Muslim, that person's faith was mentioned, regardless of its relevance. When a crime is committed by a Christian, do they mention his religion? ... When a crime is committed by a black man, it's mentioned in the first breath: 'An African American man was arrested today...' But what about German Americans? Anglo Americans? A white man robs a convenience store and do we hear he's of Scottish descent? In no other instance is the ancestry mentioned.” (Page, 37)
“[Zeitoun’s] frustration with some Americans was like that of a disappointed parent. He was so content in this country, so impressed with and loving of its opportunities, but then why, sometimes, did Americans fall short of their best selves? If you got him started on the subject, it was the end of any pleasant meal.” (Page 37)
"'Nothing's going to happen. People are making a big deal for no reason.'" (Page, 54)
“[Zeitoun's] grandmother had stayed put during countless storms in her home on Arwad Island, and he planned to do the same. A home was worth fighting for.” (Page 70)
"It was not right to watch a woman of her age suffer like this. The situation had stolen her dignity, and it pained him to bear witness." (Page, 103)
"Zeitoun was invigorated. He had never felt such urgency and purpose." (Page, 106)
"The media consensus was that New Orleans had descended into a "third-world" state...Residents were being referred to as refugees." (Page, 109)
"Zeitoun felt again that perhaps this was his calling, that God had waited to put him here and not to test him in this way. And so he hoped...that his siblings might see him like this, on the water, a sailor again, being useful, serving God." (Page, 167)
"[Kathy] needed to see him, wherever he was. She needed to find him and bury him. She needed all of this to end." (Page, 200)
“[Kathy] had not wanted their family to become collateral damage in a war that had no discernible fronts, no real shape, and no rules.” (Page 252)