"Things happened. So much had happened in their own lives they had little faith that the future would be predictable and neat." Prologue, pg. ix

"These parents knew their children's lives would be better than their own. Her family had no such ambition. Sarah was their shame. All hope had died at her conception." Book 1, Jane: Chapter 1, pg. 5

"The woman who had been Sarah Taubman and Sally Tompkins and Senorita Rosita Carita and Mrs. Richard Heissenhuber died in her husband's arms a full five minutes before the ambulance came screaming up the street." Book 1, Jane: Chapter 2, pg. 33

"James Kendall Cobleigh was born on a cold, clear April night in 1912 to parents who did not want him. It was a pity. He was a beautiful baby." Book 2, Nicholas: Chapter 5, pg. 92

"For the first time, James had a friend who loved what he loved." Book 2, Nicholas: Chapter 8, pg. 129

"It was...