“Yes, life is hard,” whispers Erika, “but knowing about other people, other civilisations, other ways of living, other places – that’s your escape route, a magical journey. Once you know about these things, no matter what happens, your mind can create stories to take you anywhere you want to go.”

“All they see is madness. It’s the same with the other men. They see my situation, not me.”

“Yes, life is hard,” whispers Erika, “but knowing about other people, other civilisations, other ways of living, other places – that’s your escape route, a magical journey. Once you know about these things, no matter what happens, your mind can create stories to take you anywhere you want to go.”

“...and the worse the memory, the stronger its stranglehold on the present.”

“I’d give you – if I thought one day you might return my feelings …”

“Why do you assume I'm human?I wasn't born; I was created just like this.First I was an idea.Then I came into being, charged with a very important task.I've come to find the monster.”

“Books; I repeat, for they've not only been a solace during the long years but also provided the keys to understanding other people's ideas and achievements, their hopes and fears, quirks and foibles, their dreams.....their demons”

“Love will not come to me again. I’ll vegetate like a plant in a cellar, without light.”

“One way or another, we’re all prisoners.”

“All the soul cares about is experiencing every variety of pain this world can offer. Souls are so greedy for pain they don't care whether the body is natural or man-made. In a natural body it can feel the pain. In a fabricated one it observes the effects.”

“Older, but no wiser. Alas, our dreams continue to haunt us.”