“I'm not pessimistic about Africa. The cities just seem big and hopeless. But the…” — Paul Theroux

Ever since childhood, when I lived within earshot of the Boston and Maine, I have seldom heard a train go by and not wished I was on it.

I know there are writers who feel unhappy with domesticity and who even manufacture domestic turmoil in order to have something to write about. With me, though, the happier I feel, the better I write.

When I began to make some money, I really wanted to have a home.

The people of Hong Kong are criticized for only being interested in business, but it's the only thing they've been allowed to do.