"For the first time since they made me leader of the community, I realize why I told Hannah I was thinking of leaving. It's fear" (Chapter 4, p. 61).

"The pages aren't numbered, so I don't know whether I have the beginning or the end or whether it's in a sequence but these days I'm not really looking for continuity" (Chapter 6, p. 69).

"Do you remember nothing stopped us on the field in our day" (Chapter 9, p. 112).

"I go down last, taking a closer look at Hannah's unfinished house by the river. Except I realize that it's almost finished. It's only the stuff inside that needs to be done, and the idea of its near-completion frightens me beyond comprehension" (Chapter 9, p. 117).

"If you saw the photo, you'd understand. You'd want to say to the kid in it, 'Why weren't you strong enough to resist death? Didn't that look in your eye...