Well, I don’t know about you, but I contain many pitches. It’s about moving from polyphony to harmony. People are so much music. People don’t recognize that enough.
-- Daniel (Part I: Brit (pages 22-35))

Importance: In this passage from an argument with Brit, Daniel articulates what he believes to be a reason that connections with other people are unnecessary and reductive; instead, over the course of the novel each of the characters will become more comfortable with their own interior richness, and this will enable them to form richer and more open relationships with each other. Daniel uses the language of “inner harmony,” a musical pun, to push back against connection, but instead this theme of self-knowledge becomes part of the novel’s theme of connection.

You misunderstand ‘ease.’ I think whoever said that means joy, not the quality of being easy. And difficult things can bring joy. And joy can bring ease.
-- Henry (Part I: Jana (pages 36-54))

Importance: In...