Quotes By Author: Alberto Manguel

“As readers, we are seldom interested in the fine sentiments of a lesson learnt; we seldom care about the good manners of morals. Repentance puts an end to conversation; forgiveness becomes the stuff of moralistic tracts. Revenge – bloodthirsty, justice-hungry revenge – is the very essence of romance, lying at the heart of much of the best fiction.”

“Unicorns, dragons, witches may be creatures conjured up in dreams, but on the page their needs, joys, anguishes, and redemptions should be just as true as those of Madame Bovary or Martin Chuzzlewit.”

“If justice takes place, there may be hope, even in the face of a seemingly capricious divinity. ”

“I like to imagine that, on the day after my last, my library and I will crumble together, so that even when I am no more I’ll still be with my books.”

“Maybe this is why we read, and why in moments of darkness we return to books: to find words for what we already know.”