Quite like old times,' the room says.

...I know all about myself now, I know. You've told me so often. You haven't left me one rag of illusion to clothe myself in.

I hadn't bargained for this. I didn't think it would be like this - shabby clothes, worn-out shoes, circles under your eyes, your hair getting straight and lanky, the way people look at you. ... I didn't think it would be like this

When you are a child you are yourself and you know and see everything prophetically. And then suddenly something happens and you stop being yourself; you become what others force you to be. You lose your wisdom and your soul.

I like shape very much. A novel has to have shape, and life doesn't have any.

Stephan was secretive and a liar, but he was a very gentle and expert lover. She was the petted, cherished child, the desired mistress, the worshipped, perfumed goddess. She was all these things to Stephan - or so he made her believe.

Sometimes the Earth trembles; sometimes you can feel it breathe.