Maxine Hong Kingston

I had to get out of hating range. (p52)

The sweat of hard work is not to be displayed. It is much more graceful to appear favored by the gods. (p64)

He sings melodies that wind like ribbons into the vistas. (p75)

No husband of mine will say, "I could have been a drummer, but I had to think about the wife and kids. You know how it is." Nobody supports me at the expense of his own adventure. (p48)

The hero's home has its own magic. (p81)

He repeated himself so often that some of what he said seeped into the ears. (p190)

Hunger also changes the world - when eating can't be a habit, then neither can seeing. (p26)

As you know, any plain person you chance to meet can prove to be a powerful immortal in disguise come to test you. (p119)

Once upon a time, a man, named Tang Ao, looking for the Gold Mountain, crossed an ocean, and came upon the Land of Women. The women immediately captured him, not on guard against ladies. When they asked Tang Ao to come along, he followed; if he had had male companions, he would've winked over his shoulder. (first lines)

The difference between mad people and sane people...is that sane people have variety when they talk-story. Mad people have only one story that they talk over and over. (p159, "At the Western Palace")

"You must not tell anyone," my mother said, "what I am about to tell you." (First line, "No Name Woman")

The images of peace are ephemeral. The language of peace is subtle. The reasons for peace, the definitions of peace, the very idea of peace have to be invented, and invented again. (Epilogue)