"Consuelo was seduced by the idea of being born in the midst of all that fear, in spite of the rumor that babies born during that period were abominations and would remain so years after the comet had faded from sight as a ball of ice and stellar dust."
Chapter One, p. 6.

"In their hearts they knew that from that moment they would try to forget, to tear that horror from their souls, resolved never to speak of it, with the hope that time would erase it. Finally, slowly, exhausted, feet dragging, they returned home. Last came Rolf Carle, walking between two rows of skeletons, all equal in the desolation of death."
Chapter Two, p. 34.

"'Take good care of my girl, madrina. I'm leaving her in your hands,' my mother said, discreetly wiping away the thread of blood trickling down her chin. Then she took my hand...