“In Mosca’s experience, a ‘long story’ was always a short story someone did not want to tell.”

“That," he whispered, "is unthinkable." In Mosca’s experience, such statements generally meant that a thing was perfectly thinkable, but that the speaker did not want to think it.”

“If you want someone to tell you what to think...""You will never be short of people willing to do so.”

“True stories seldom have endings.I don't want a happy ending, I want more story.”

“No." Mosca bit her lip and shook her head firmly. Books no longer seemed quite enough. I don’t want a happy ending, I want more story.”

“True stories seldom have endings.”

“Ordinary life did not stop just because kings rose and fell, Mosca realized. People adapted. If the world turned upside down, everyone ran and hid in their houses, but a very short while later, if all seemed quiet, they came out again and started selling each other potatoes.”