Quotes from Melina Marchetta

You shy, Francesca?" Javier asks me later on. I shake my head. "Not really." I'm just sad, I want to say. And I'm lonely.

That someone can want something out of another person who gives absolutely nothing in return astounds me.

I look over to the other side of the road and watch Griggs as he walks. It's a lazy walk but so full of confidence that you want to be standing behind him all the way.

This is war," he say quietly. "Well thank God you're dressed for it, Griggs.

I'm sorry," he says, "for that time I kissed you at that party and for that time at the wedding and more than anything for the thousand times that I wanted to and didn't have the guts to.

No stories or explanations,' Finnikin had once told him. 'When it comes to women, straight into an apology and you will find the rest of your life bearable.

Left alone with the dial tone...excuse me, operator, why is no one listening?

Everything's going to be fine. She'll be back at work soon. Let's just keep the house clean." Oh yeah, I want to say, because a clean house will result in peace in the Middle East as well.

I recognise Santangelo's dad, who saves police brutality for when he gets to his son.

No, no, no, no,no,' he gasped. 'You can't bring up your mum and dad while your hand is down there, Finke

I do not believe that the desires of young boys cause catastrophic events. The actions of humans do.

I think if I'm ever asked to recall what Year 12 was all about, I'll remember it as one big cappuccino experience.

My father took one hundred and thirty-two minutes to die.

His father's made us paint half this town and if we stick around any longer he'll make us paint the rest of it." -Jonah Griggs

When I turn around, he cups my face in his hands and he kisses me so deeply that I don't know who is breathing for who, but his mouth and tongue taste like warm honey. I don't know how long it lasts, but when I let go of him, I miss it already.

But grief makes a monster out of us sometimes . . . and sometimes you say and do things to the people you love that you can't forgive yourself for.

I can't believe I said it out loud. The truth doesn't set you free, you know. It makes you feel awkward and embarrassed and defenseless and red in the face and horrified and petrified and vulnerable. But free? I don't feel free. I feel like shit.

A piece of me is gone," she told me once while we were bra shopping. "I think we're made up of all these different pieces and every time someone goes, you're left with less of yourself.

Do something that scares you everyday.

If I want more, I need to go and get it, demand it, take hold of it with all my might, and do the best I can with it.

Maybe memories should be left the way they are.

There are worse things than a lie and there are better things than the truth!

Never underestimate the value of knowing another's language. It can be far more powerful than swords and arrows.

What's with what you're wearing?" Griggs asks while we stand outside waiting for the others. "It's pretty hideous, isn't it?" I say. "Don't force me to look at it," he says. "It's see-through." That kills conversation for a couple of seconds.