I’m never going to fit in here, she thought.
-- Narrator (Part 1, Chapter 1 paragraph 14)

Importance: When the novel begins, Maggie is an American transplant living in Ireland, having recently arrived due to her mother’s remarriage. Maggie, who has always felt a little out of place, nevertheless feels even more out of place in a new country, and among new people with new customs. Here, her worries about fitting in will become defining to her, ultimately leading her to make some bad choices.

I’m on the rock star’s diet.
-- Kevin (Part 1, Chapter 5 paragraph 16)

Importance: Kevin’s appearance in Ireland for Christmas worries Maggie because he has become so thin. He tells her not to worry, that he is on a diet- but the kind of diet he is on is no one related to food. He has glossed over his use of heavy drugs, including heroin, which Maggie also willingly overlooks.

If she didn’t have anyone to...
-- Narrator (Part 1, Chapter 8 paragraph 1)