Schools are compulsory for about ten years of a person's life. They are, perhaps, the only compulsory institutions for all citizens, although those with full membership in schools are not yet treated as full citizens of our society... — Marie Brennan Copy Share Image
“She reached out with her free hand, and when it came back, it glowed with a shaft of impossible light.” — Marie Brennan Copy Share Image
“Just as Manda Lewis's impressions of the world had been informed by her reading-- leading her to expect balls, duels, and conveniently timed thunderstorms… — Marie Brennan Copy Share Image
“And all the while I have people telling me, at least you still have something of your husband . Do they mean the book chronicling our work in Vystrana? No, of course not—never mind that we undertook that work together, with intent. That cannot possibly be as valuable as the accidental consequence of biology.” Very quietly, Tom said, “Is not… — Marie Brennan Copy Share
“More shouts, and then my father was there, staring down at me in horror: the minor pagan god, appalled at what his worshiper had… — Marie Brennan Copy Share Image
“I wish it could have been otherwise. But in the end … this is part of our past, whether we are proud to admit it… — Marie Brennan Copy Share Image
But coming to terms with one’s sorrow is one thing; sharing it with strangers is quite another. — Marie Brennan Copy Share Image
“Their characteristics are well-known. They're beautiful -- when they're not astoundingly ugly. They're both goddesses for men to worship, and demons for them to flee. They adore children, sometimes to the point of unhealthy obsession. They have a strong association with nature, from which they're often assumed to draw magical power. Their anger is a terrible thing to behold, and… — Marie Brennan Copy Share
“When I finally did confront Mr. Arcott, after my return to Falchester, he had the cheek to try and argue that his intellectual thievery had been a compliment and a favor. After all, it meant my work was good enough to be accepted into ibn Khattusi's series -- but of course they never would have taken a submission from a… — Marie Brennan Copy Share
“You may think you see plenty of stars, friend reader, but you are wrong. Night is both blacker and more brilliant than you can… — Marie Brennan Copy Share Image
“Utopias bore me. I'm interested in constructing messy, complicated societies that are full of flaws and then saying, ooh, this is interesting, let's see… — Marie Brennan Copy Share Image
“This was London, in all its filth and glory. Nostalgic for the past, while yearning to cast off the chains of bygone ages and… — Marie Brennan Copy Share Image
