Your mind will believe comforting lies while also knowing the painful truths that make those lies necessary. And your mind will punish you for believing both.

We sure as ruddy heck ain't in Prentisstown no more," I say to Manchee under my breath.

Her accent's funny, different from mine, different from anyone in Prentisstown's. Her lips make different kinds of outlines for the letters, like they're swooping down on them from above, pushing them into shape, telling them what to say. In Prentisstown, everyone talks like they're sneaking up on their words, ready to club them from behind.

Being a leader is making the people you love hate you a little more each day.

The only place you belong is the place you can never go back. And so yer always alone, forever and always.

As destruction goes, the monster said behind him, this is all remarkably pitiful.

Sometimes people need to lie to themselves most of all.