In order to get inside their skin, I have to identify with them. That includes even the ones who are complete bastards, nasty, twisted, deeply flawed human beings with serious psychological problems. Even them. When I get inside their skin and look out through their eyes, I have to feel a certain - if not sympathy, certainly empathy for them. I have to try to perceive the world as they do, and that creates a certain amount of affection.

Laughter is poison to fear.

Nothing. My father is very good at doing nothing. He calls it thinking.

There's no shame in fear, my father told me, what matters is how we face it.

She went to the window seat and sat there, sniffling, hating them all, and herself most of all. It was all her fault, everything bad that had happened.

Love is the bane of honor, the death of duty.

Do the dead frighten you?