“I wanted it-like iron.”

“She’ll have no lover, for I don’t want her and she’ll see no other.”

“The musty smell, the bugs, the lonliness, this room, which is part of the street outside-this is all I want from life.”

“I hadn't bargained for this. I didn't think it would be like this - shabby clothes, worn-out shoes, circles under your eyes, your hair getting straight and lanky, the way people look at you. ... I didn't think it would be like this”

“I like shape very much. A novel has to have shape, and life doesn't have any. ”

“Would you like a whiskey?' I say. 'I've got some.'(That's original. I bet nobody's ever thought of that way of bridging the gap before.)”

“As soon as I turned the key I saw it hanging, the color of fire and sunset. the colour of flamboyant flowers. ‘If you are buried under a flamboyant tree, ‘ I said, ‘your soul is lifted up when it flowers. Everyone wants that.’She shook her head but she did not move or touch me.”