I believe we have an utterly unique specimen on our hands: a child who listens. Catherynne M. Valente More Quotes by Catherynne M. Valente More Quotes From Catherynne M. Valente The rapt pupil will be forgiven for assuming the Tsar of Death to be wicked and the Tsar of Life to be virtuous. Let the truth be told: There is no virtue anywhere. Life is sly and unscrupulous, a blackguard, wolfish, severe. In service to itself, it will commit any offense. So, too, is Death possessed of infinite strategies and a gaunt nature- but also mercy, also grace and tenderness. In his own country, Death can be kind. Catherynne M. Valente wickedgracecountry I'm not lost, because I haven't any idea where to go that I might get lost on the way to. I'd like to get lost, because then I'd know where I was going, you see. Catherynne M. Valente mightwayideas This is what comes of having a heart, even a very small and young one. It causes no end of trouble, and that’s the truth. Catherynne M. Valente causestroubleheart I’m a monster,” said the shadow of the Marquess suddenly. “Everyone says so.” The Minotaur glanced up at her. “So are we all, dear,” said the Minotaur kindly. “The thing to decide is what kind of monster to be. The kind who builds towns or the kind who breaks them. Catherynne M. Valente townsshadowmonsters You cannot escape where you come from, September. Some part of it remains inside you always, like the slender white heart in the center of the thickest onion. Catherynne M. Valente onionswhiteheart I did not set out to be beloved and just, only strong." 'A King can be better than that," the Prince insisted. "And so we all begin, determined to better our fathers' performances, knowing we can change the very nature of humanity, make it better, cleaner. But then daggers strike in the night, and peasants revolt, and all manner of atrocities become a necessity as breakfast. Only Princes believe in the greater good. Kings know there is only Reign, and all things may be committed in its holy name. Catherynne M. Valente strongkingsfather September did not want to feel for the Marquess. That’s how villains get you, she knew. You feel badly for them, and next thing you know, you’re tied to train tracks. But her wild, untried heart opened up another bloom inside her, a dark branch heavy with fruit. Catherynne M. Valente darkheartsympathy September had never been betrayed before. She did not even know what to call the feeling in her chest, so bitter and sour. Poor child. There is always a first time, and it is never the last time. Catherynne M. Valente lastsfeelingschildren You know, in Fairyland-Above they said that the underworld was full of devils and dragons. But it isn’t so at all! Folk are just folk, wherever you go, and it’s only a nasty sort of person who thinks a body’s a devil just because they come from another country and have different notions. It’s wild and quick and bold down here, but I like wild things and quick things and bold things, too. Catherynne M. Valente dragonscountrythinking Once more September marveled that even the Dodo knew what she wanted to be when she was grown. She simply could not think what she herself might do. September expected that destinies, which is how she thought of professions, simply landed upon one like a crown, and ever after no one questioned or fretted over it, being sure of one’s own use in the world. It was only that somehow her crown had not yet appeared. She did hope it would hurry up. Catherynne M. Valente destinyusethinking You can never know how your clock runs. But it does run - and always faster than you think. Catherynne M. Valente doerunningthinking Her father’s shadow looked sadly down at her. “You can never forget what you do in a war, September my love. No one can. You won’t forget your war either. Catherynne M. Valente shadowwarfather Someone ought to write a novel about me. Catherynne M. Valente oughtnovelwriting After love, no one is what they were before. Catherynne M. Valente Tell it fast before you get scared and silence yourself. You'll never wish you'd held back a little more. Catherynne M. Valente silencewishlittles All jobs are odd, or they would be games or naps or picnics. Catherynne M. Valente napsgamesjobs It’s been me all along,” said September slowly. “Me who gave up my shadow, me who went down into Fairyland-Below and Fairyland-Lower-Than-That to wake up the Prince. Me who shot the poor Minotaur. You oughtn’t just hand the whole business over the moment a Prince comes on the scene. I’ve got to see it through, don’t you see? The Hollow Queen is hollow because she’s missing the part of her that’s me. We’ve got to come together again. And he can’t do a thing about that. Catherynne M. Valente together-againqueenshands Everyone has a right to cry uncle on a genre every once in awhile. I've done it myself. Sometimes you just can't bear another gear or pair of wings or vampire teeth. You go on a fast, and sometimes you come back, and sometimes you don't. Catherynne M. Valente myselfyouwingssometimes No matter what you write, you actually can't help retelling a fairy tale somewhere along the way. Catherynne M. Valente youfairy-talematterway Fantasy is my heart and love. And I just want to play in that garden for the rest of my life. Catherynne M. Valente my-lifeheartlovelife
