You bring up your children to be self-reliant and independent and they double-cross you and become self-reliant and independent.

Archie became absolutely still, afraid that the rapid beating of his heart might betray his sudden knowledge, the proof of what he'd always suspected, not only of Brother Leon but most grownups, most adults: they were vulnerable, running scared, open to invasion.

Why did the wise guys always accuse other people of being wise guys?

I had my bully, and it was excruciating. Not only the bully, but the intimidation I felt.

Affection is one of the most neglected words in the English language, that people throw the word love around like confetti when they mean affection.

A novel must work as a story because no one's going to get to the other themes if you don't entertain the reader. But I like to have another layer of meaning, although you can read the book on one level and not bother with that other layer.

Cities fell. Earth opened. Planets tilted. Stars plummeted. And the awful silence.