The Sparrow (The Sparrow, #1)

by Mary Doria Russell

He grew accustomed to feeling inexpert and out of his depth. He became tolerant of the initial frustration of being unable to communicate with grace or speed or humor.

I intend to bestow upon you unsolicited advice, my darling. I know this will sound glib, but don’t pretend you aren’t feeling what you feel. That’s how things slide into hell. Feelings are facts,’ she said, her voice a little hard, as she began to walk again. ‘Look straight at ’em and deal with ’em. Work it through, as honestly as you can.

‘The poor you will always have with you,’ Jesus said. A warning, Emilio wondered, or an indictment?

You will care for your own body as you would for that of a friend to whom you are indebted.

The problem with atheism, I find, under these circumstances,’ he continued with academic exactitude, each word etched on the air with acid, ‘is that I have no one to despise but myself. If, however, I choose to believe that God is vicious, then at least I have the solace of hating God.’