I had cooperated. I could not have refused. I was smitten with her, half in love but also afraid, because in my life (and she seemed to know this) I had not loved anyone without having been wounded. Love was power and possession, love caused pain: you were never more exposed than when you were in love, never more wounded; possession was an enslavement, something stifling.

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About Paul Theroux

Paul Theroux was a contemporary American travel writer and novelist. Paul Edward Theroux is an American novelist and travel writer who has written numerous books, including the travelogue The Great Railway Bazaar (1975). Some of his works of fiction have been adapted as feature films. Read more on Wikipedia →

Themes

  • Love — Quotes exploring romantic love, compassion, and human connection
  • Power — The dynamics of influence, authority, and leadership

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