Quotes from Madeline Miller

Islands were dangerous places. You met monsters as often as friends.

Perhaps she thought I hated her. She did not know that I almost asked him, a hundred times, to be a little kinder to her. You do not have to humiliate her so thoroughly, I thought. But it was not kindness he lacked; it was interest.

I do not plan to tell her. Telegonus, these are gods. You must keep your tricks close or you will lose everything.

If they break through the wall, they will burn the ships—our only way of getting home, the only thing that makes us an army instead of refugees.

Such passive, pale words for what she was.

I could have sat and worked awhile, but the change of hands would show in the cloth.

If every soldier killed only those who'd personally offended him, Pelides, we'd have no wars at all.

That is my mother's lyre,' I almost said. The words were in my mouth, and behind them others crowded close. 'That is my lyre.

Whatever you do, I wanted to say, do not be too happy. It will bring down fire on your head. I said nothing, and let her dance.

Not a sound, but a sort of silence, a faint hum like the space between note and note in a song.

I would like to say that all the while I waited to break out, but the truth is, I'm afraid I might have floated on, believing those dull miseries were all there was, until the end of days.

She's like cream, she's that soft. Once her thighs are around you, you'll forget your own name.

Did he know how much those words cost me? I do not think he could. It is youth's gift not to feel its debts.

Our dead came for their vengeance regardless of witnesses

You ask a question that philosophers argue over," Chiron had said. "He is worth more to you, perhaps. But the stranger is someone else's friend and brother. So which life is more important?

We reached for each other, and I thought of how many nights I had lain awake in this room loving him in silence. Later, Achilles pressed close for a final, drowsy whisper. "If you have to go, you know I will go with you." We slept.

Then I learned that I could bend the world to my will, as a bow is bent for an arrow.

Gods pretend to be parents, but they are children, clapping their hands and shouting for more.

because I knew nothing, nothing was beneath me.

I was not careful. I was reckless, headlong. He was another knife, I could feel it. A different sort, but a knife still. I did not care. I thought: give me the blade. Some things are worth spilling blood for.

Living with him was like standing beside the sea. Each day a different color,

He was watching me, his eyes as deep as earth. "Will you come with me?" he asked. The never-ending ache of love and sorrow. Perhaps in some other life I could have refused, could have torn my hair and screamed, and made him face his choice alone. But not in this one. He would sail to Troy and I would follow, even into death. "Yes," I whispered. "Yes.

You are a golden goddess, beautiful and kind. If I had such a sister, I would never let her go.

Afterwards, when Agamemnon would ask him when he would confront the prince of Troy, he would smile his most guileless, maddening smile.