"'To die with a friend,' Kirill replied. 'To die by the hand of a man whose name you know.'" Chapter 1, p. 12

"All you have seen is the exercise of authority, the exploitation of power. It is always cruel, to suit its purpose. As for us? We fight and die, or adapt and live." Chapter 2, p. 41

"'No,' I told him quietly, looking him straight in the eye, 'I was never an enemy of the people. I have only ever been an enemy of myself.'" Chapter 3, p. 70

" 'You'll make it, Shurik,' he declared, slapping my shoulder. 'If you can laugh when the world is black, you'll make it. The man who sees the funny side survives.' Chapter 4, p. 93

" 'I owed my gratitude to you and Frosya and my allegiance to my comrades,' I said at length, 'not to my country. Friends are more...