Reading makes immigrants of us all. It takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere.

In this quote, Jean Rhys, a celebrated writer known for her exploration of themes like displacement and identity, speaks to the transformative power of reading. Rhys suggests that reading has the ability to make us feel like immigrants, taking us away from our familiar surroundings and transporting us to new and unfamiliar places. The idea of reading as a journey reflects the way stories can expand our world and help us understand different cultures, perspectives, and emotions.

Rhys also emphasizes that while reading might take us away from home, it does not leave us without a place to belong. Instead, it finds homes for us everywhere—in the diverse worlds created within the pages of books. This suggests that books create a sense of belonging, providing readers with a sense of home in any part of the world. The quote speaks to how literature offers a kind of refuge for those who seek connection, regardless of where they come from or where they are.

The concept of reading as a form of immigration also touches on themes of identity and rootlessness, which are central to Rhys' own works. Many of her stories explore characters who feel disconnected from their surroundings or struggle with finding a sense of place in the world. In this quote, reading becomes a way to overcome that feeling, offering a form of escape and self-discovery that allows individuals to build their own homes, even in unfamiliar spaces.

Ultimately, the quote reflects the unifying and expansive nature of literature. While reading can take us away from our physical homes, it simultaneously offers a deeper sense of connection to the world, helping us find belonging wherever we go. Rhys celebrates the idea that books are a means to bridge distances, offering readers a sense of identity and home that transcends geography.