“It often struck Nina that women who seemed capable of only limited mental tasks in most situations could retain information regarding other peoples weight for years, sometimes decades. Unlike genuine idiots savants, they couldn't tell you that December 13, 1972 had fallen on a Wednesday. But they could often tell you, within a pound or two, how much you'd weighed that week.”

“Ida was a natural historian who knew how to throw in enough fiction to keep up dramtic tension. And she was replete with details, like a big fat colorful nineteenth-century historical novel, inching forward slowly....Ida's narrative line, like her waistline, was ample.”

“It is often while you are looking for something else entirely that you make the most amazing finds.”

“I don't want to tell you how to be a prince, but shouldn't you have some bodyguards or something?""Bodyguards? Who would want to harm a charming guy like me?”

“When I reply I beleive in God when people who are atheist or satanists ask... They ask me " How could god be real if he lets all this horrible stuff happen on Earth?" I will from now on reply " If you beleive in Satan, and not God... How could Satan be real if he lets all the wonderful things happen on Earth?”

“Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.”

“She raised her eyebrows in a look that she hoped conveyed how much she was all right with him leaving her. After all, he was a prince. The most powerful men and women on Earth had summoned him. She understood.And yet he was still here, with her."I'm fine," she said. "Go away.”