Live as if you have faith,” she said, “and faith shall be given to you.

The days of idealism had gone. Only life was left.

Falling in love with you in the Summer Garden in the white nights in Leningrad is the moment that propels me through life.

The power you have over someone who loves you is greater than any other power you'll ever have.

Tatiana, I love you. Do you hear me? I love you like I’ve never loved anyone in my whole life. Now, get up. For me, Tatia. For me, please get up and go take care of your sister. Go on. And I’ll take care of you.” His lips kissed her cheek.

Alexander smoked and watched her from his tree stump bench. What are you doing? she would ask him. Nothing, he would reply. Nothing but growing my pain into madness.

If I can live through this, he thought, I can live through anything. If I can live through this, I WILL live through anything.