Kenneth Oppel Quotes

But chance runs like a river through all our lives, and being prepared for surprise is the best we can do.

You can't eat [literature], that's the problem," he said. "I've tried, it's very dry, and not at all nutritious.

It was as though, in one moment, he had become a stranger. And I a stranger to myself.

The world of 'The Hunger Games' is a paranoid survivalist's dream.

We did it!" I said, feeling limp with relief. "It actually worked!" Dr. Turgenev rubbed his forehead. "I had very big doubts." "Big doubts?" I said weakly. The Russian scientist shrugged. "I am pessimist," he said.

Let me get you all some punch,” I said. “You're leaving us?” said Isabel, sounding panicky. “I'll be right back,” I promised. “If anyone comes near you, just scream and run.

If anyone comes near you, just scream and run.

Why do you need to fly so much?” she asked. “If I don’t, it’ll catch up with me.” The words just came out. “What will?” I took my hands from my face, panting. I stared out at the storm. “Unhappiness.

I turned around and headed back to the stairwell, planning to go downstairs and buy a chocolate bar from the vending machine. Maybe it would fall on me and end my misery.

I believe there is something on this earth that you desire more than anything, and it isn't me.

If my heart were a compass, you'd be North.

Here's all I know: that the world is uncontrollable. Chaos reigns. That anything and everything might be possible. I won't subscribe to any rational system again. Nothing will bind me.

I poo poo the chit.' The attendant looked stunned. 'You cannot poo-poo the chit!' I do.' Kate said solemnly. 'I do poo-poo.' We'll walk.

IMBECILE!" the chef shouted. "Next time why don't you just put your whole HAND in the food, hey? Yes, your whole hand, or maybe your FACE! I arrange the food on plates with care, are you understanding what I am telling you? It is part of the art form of cooking, yes? A lovely plate of food is a thing of beauty! And then you, NUMBSKULL, come along and put your fat greasy FINGERS all over my plate, and SHAKE the plate, and move my food all around the plate until it looks like pigs' vomit!" "Chef Vlad!" I cried out in delight.

If you were closer, I'd slap you," she said. "Let me help," I replied, and stepped closer. She promptly slapped me, which surprised me only a little. We glared at each other in the near dark, and then she looked away. "I'm sorry I slapped you," she said. "That's all right. I quite enjoyed it.

His speech failed to rouse an enthusiastic cheer, but no one dared contradict him.

You see, when medicine works, it is blessed science, and when it fails, it is witchcraft. - Polidori

You've no fear of heights," puffed the girl. "None," I said. "I've heard that about you.

You're like something drawn with the sun's fire, and I can take only little glimpses of you.

It's somewhat disquieting that the same parents and educators who are horrified by the notion of child soldiers have bestowed upon 'The Hunger Games' a double mantle of critical praise and global bestsellerdom.

You two were in a cave together?’ said Miss Simpkins in horror. ‘Yes,’ said Kate, ‘and it was very, very dark.

I raised my hands, trying to shush her. "Don't shush me," she said, eyes blazing. "I hate being shushed.

It's the way you look whenever she mentions her fiance. My cat looks like that before he hacks up a hairball.

There is a passion in you that scares me.

You flatter me shamelessly. I like it. Good.

The preface? Why would he waste time with the preface? Skip the preface and move on to the meat of the thing!

Everyone watched, wondering if this could be the same lunatic who'd nearly berthed his ornithopter in the restaurant. I swallowed, for it seemed he was headed straight for my table. He pulled off his helmet and a mass of dark auburn hair spilled out. Off came the goggles, and I was looking at the beaming face of Kate de Vries.

I prefer the word aviatrix. It has more zing to it." "It's very zingy," I agreed.

I could not help staring back, for they made quite a contrast: Kate's pale skin and elegant purple suit, Nadira's dusky skin and exotic fiery sari. "Do we clash?" Nadira said dryly. "We certainly do," said Kate. "Would you like me to move?" "Don't trouble yourself.

I'm cursed with this puritanical streak that makes me want everything to be about something. It's a terrible affliction.

Honestly," she sighed, "I don't know what kind of life we'll have together, with me always flying off in one direction and you in the other." I smiled. "It's a good thing the world's round," I said.

I know you pretty well." "Better than anyone I think." I smiled. Her compliment was like a gift itself, only more precious than anything that could be bought.