Quotes from Libba Bray

Careful there, Poet. I might start to believe you.

Didn't you have any sadistic nannies who told you these tales to keep you quiet and well behaved at night? Heavens, what's to become of the Empire if governesses have lost their touch for scaring the wits out of their girls?

It was always somebody's turn. The Irish, the Italians, the Jews, the Negroes or Chinese or Mexicans. A great wheel of bigotry, ever turning. Who got to decide what made somebody an American? America, the ideal of it at least, was its own form of elusive magic.

That's it," Mabel said, getting up. She tossed her napkin on the table. "No. That is not right. I don't know what you just said, but whatever it was, I'm pretty certain it was pure hokum. I don't want to dance. I don't want to hear about your plans for a summer house. I am not your sister. And if I were your sister, I'd have to tell people you'd been adopted as an act of charity. Please, don't get up.

No one had ever said anything like that to Evie. Her parents always wanted to advise or instruct or command. They were good people, but they needed the world to bend to them, to fit into their order of things. Evie had never really quite fit, and when she tried, she'd just pop back out, like a doll squeezed into a too-small box.

Miss Moore speaks slowly, deliberately. I know because I read. She pulls back and stands, hands on hips, offering us a challenge. May I suggest that you all read? And often. Believe me, it's nice to have something to talk about other than the weather and the Queen's health. Your mind is not a cage. It's a garden. And it requires cultivating.

because really, sometimes the irony gods just get drunk.

But if we are to remain a great empire, we must have a greater understanding of the hearts and minds of others.

I should like to make my mark. To venture opinions that may not be polite or even correct but are mine nonetheless. If I am to be hanged for anything, I should like to feel that I go to the gallows on my own strength.

They see her differently now, as somebody. And isn't that what everyone wants? To be seen?

You are absolute angels of the first order. If I were Pope, I'd canonize you." "The Pope would probably love to turn a cannon on you!

In this man's smile was all the unfairness of the world in its thuggish seduction. "Just come with me. We'll take care of you." "No, you won't." Taylor stroked the man's cheek. She reached her arms up to cradle the back of his head and, with the skill of a champion, she broke his neck. Then she dragged him into the bushes, took his gun and walkie-talkie, and kept moving.

I have never felt more ridiculous. If this is what it means to be a woman I am not the slightest bit interested.

We're never prepared for how much we love our children, for how much we wish we could protect them by being perfect.

I'm going to eviscerate you and leave your organs on a pike in the yard as a warning to those who wear large jewelry.

I'm from the health department. You've heard of Typhoid Mary? This fella's got enough typhoid to start his own colony.

Discord need not be an impediment. Differences can bring strength.

In truth, it is the simplest act in the world. The trick works because you wish it to. You must remember the most important rule of and successful illusion; First the people must want to believe it.

It's strange how deliberate people are after a death. All the indecision suddenly vanishes into clear, defined moments - changing the linens, choosing a dress or a hymn, the washing up, the muttering of prayers. All the small, simple, conscious acts of living a sudden defense against the dying we do every day.

Oh, honey, of course it hurts! Beauty is pain. But you don't want to look like a troll, do you?

Petra turned to her. Everybody lies about who they are. Name one person here who isn't doing that and I will drop out right now! Shanti felt that snake of truth coil around her legs, threatening to squeeze. I didn't mean... No one ever does. Petra said, shoving the baton back at Shanti.

Well, are you going to motivate people to bring peace to war-torn nations, or are you going to motivate people to join a cult and drink the Kool-Aid?

You evah hear of a magic screw?' I cough back a laugh. 'No. No, sir.

One day, Evie O'Neill, you're gonna fall head over heels for me!