“Perhaps I'm not their dead one back, but I'm something almost better to them; an ideal shaped by their minds.”

“Perhaps it's better if I live in your heart, where the world can't see me. If I'm dead, there will be no stain on our love.”

“did anybody ever come back from the dead any single one of the millions who got killed did any one of them ever come back and say by god i'm glad i'm dead because death is always better than dishonor? did they say i'm glad i died to make the world safe for democracy? did they say i like death better than losing liberty? did any of them ever say it's good to think i got my guts blown out for the honor of my country? did any of them ever say look at me i'm dead but i died for decency and that's better than being alive? did any of them ever say here i am i've been rotting for two years in a foreign grave but it's wonderful to die for your native land? did any of them say hurray i died for womanhood and i'm happy see how i sing even though my mouth is choked with worms?”

“homesickness is just a state of mind for me. i'm always missing someone or someplace or something, i'm always trying to get back to some imaginary somewhere. my life has been one long longing.”

“I'm fucking the grave, I thought, I'm bringing the dead back to life...”

“Say something, Amy," Miranda insists. "Something positive. I'm sure it'll make you feel better.""Okay, Miranda. I've got it." I motion the girls to lean in close to hear my words. "At least I'm not dead."How's that for positivity?I have to admit it does make me feel better.”