The Illicit Happiness Of Other People
the inevitability of happiness, the persistence of happiness. Happiness as an inescapable fate, not a pursuit.
Manu Joseph • The Illicit Happiness Of Other People
Do you know something, Thoma, even today, in some African tribes, lullabies and funeral songs are the same.’
Manu Joseph • The Illicit Happiness Of Other People
When they saw a funeral procession on the road, a body being taken for cremation, they would giggle.
Manu Joseph • The Illicit Happiness Of Other People
‘Because to fool a person, it appears, you have to first fool yourself. That is at the heart of all human influences.
Manu Joseph • The Illicit Happiness Of Other People
I don’t want to see beauty. I am just another boy in Madras who wants to escape to America.’
Manu Joseph • The Illicit Happiness Of Other People
She walks towards him, her head bent, and when she raises her eyes they look with the incurable contempt that all Tamil maids have for men who are not film stars.
Manu Joseph • The Illicit Happiness Of Other People
‘Doesn’t matter, motherfucker,’ the first goon says, looking at the keyboard without fear. ‘You play white. I’ll play black.’
Manu Joseph • The Illicit Happiness Of Other People
‘Which Mathew? The world is full of Mathews. There are more Mathews than Anthonys. I wonder why.’
Manu Joseph • The Illicit Happiness Of Other People
‘Don’t hate me, son. There are people in this world who set out to make an omelette but end up with scrambled eggs. I am just one of them.’