"From that moment, when she was consumed by his great and wonderful power, all the things she had considered important to her way of liefe ceased to be important...Gabriela knew with no uncertainty that there had never been nor ever would be again a man like Andrei Androfski" (Part 1, Chapter 6, pg. 48.)

"So, anyhow all your goddamn poets will write tired sonnets about the good old days when the noblemen kicked the piss out of the peasants and the peasants kicked the piss out of the Jews. Then, some half-assed piano player will play benefit concerts to the Poles in Chicago, and in a hundred years everybody will say-Jesus Christ, let's put Poland back together-we're sick of hearing Chopin concerts" (Part 1, Chapter 6, pg. 50.)

"The Nazis took bullies and bums and made them heroes. In exchange, the bums gave absolute obedience; there was no qualm or remorse or inner...