I

• “anyone who knew violet well could tell she was inventing something when her long hair was tied up in a ribbon.”

II

• “when we grab you by the ankles, where our mark is to be made, you'll soon be doing noble work, although you won't be paid. when we drive away in secret, you'll be a volunteer, so don't scream when we tell you: the world is quiet here.”

III

• “never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.”

IV

• “it is a curious thing, the death of a loved one. we all know that our time in this world is limited, and that eventually all of us will end up underneath some sheet, never to wake up. and yet it is always a surprise when it happens to someone we know. it is like walking up the stairs to your bedroom in the dark, and thinking there is one more stair than there is. your foot falls down, through the air, and there is a sickly moment of dark surprise as you try and readjust the way you thought of things.”

V

• “all the secrets of the world are contained in books. read at your own risk.”

VI

• “it is one of life's bitterest truths that bedtime so often arrives just when things are really getting interesting.”

VII

• “it is difficult, when faced with a situation you cannot control, to admit you can do nothing.”

VIII

• “at times the world may seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe that there is much more good in it than bad. all you have to do is look hard enough. and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may in fact be the first steps of a journey.”

IX

• “sometimes words are not enough.”

X

• “they're book addicts.”

XI

• “i will love you if i never see you again, and i will love you if i see you every tuesday.”

XII

• “algumas pessoas encontram conforto apenas por estarem juntas.”

XIII

• “a coisa mais bela que podemos experimentar é o mistério. é a fonte de toda verdadeira arte e ciência.”

XIV

• “but i must admit i miss you quite terribly. the world is too quiet without you nearby.”

XV

• “for beatrice— summer without you is as cold as winter. winter without you is even colder.”
  • “for beatrice— our love broke my heart, and stopped yours.”
  • “for beatrice— darling, dearest, dead.”
  • “for beatrice— my love for you shall live forever. you, however, did not.”
  • “for beatrice— i would much prefer if you were alive and well.”
  • “for beatrice— my love flew like a butterfly, until death swooped down like a bat. as the poet emma montana mcelroy said: that's the end of that.”
  • “for beatrice— you will always be in my heart, in my mind and in your grave.”
  • “for beatrice— when we met my life began, soon afterward, yours ended.”
  • “for beatrice— when we were together i felt breathless. now you are.”
  • “for beatrice— when we first met, you were pretty, and i was lonely. now i am pretty lonely.”
  • “for beatrice— dead women tell no tales. sad men write them down.”
  • “for beatrice— i cherished, you perished. the world's been nightmarished.”