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Kindle Notes & Highlights
When the men try to engage him in conversation, he responds with words of encouragement, trying to turn their fear into hope. We stand in shit but let us not drown in it.
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He learned from a young age, from his mother, that women love them. When would be the next time he could give a girl flowers?
How can someone do this to another human being? He wonders if for the rest of his life, be it short or long, he will be defined by this moment, this irregular number: 32407.
I will live to leave this place. I will walk out a free man. If there is a hell, I will see these murderers burn in it.
Politics will help you understand the world until you don’t understand it anymore, and then it will get you thrown into a prison camp. Politics and religion both.’
‘To save one is to save the world.’
“Politische Abteilung” and no one will bother you. Return the numbered paper to us every night, but keep hold of the bag.’
this is a man whose soul has died and whose body is waiting to catch up with it.
Lale finally works out what it is about her voice that saddens him. It is emotionless. Whether relaying stories of happy times with her family or the tragedy of being here, there is no change in tone.
‘What does your name mean?’ he asks. ‘Hope. It means hope.’ Nadya stands. ‘Goodnight,’ she says. She is gone before Lale can reply.
He must always be wary of this man whose soul is colder than his scalpel.
‘Be attentive, Lale; remember the small things, and the big things will work themselves out.’
As Lale begins to walk off, Gita pulls him back and kisses him hard. Breaking the kiss, he says, ‘Maybe I should stay away more often.’ ‘Don’t you dare,’ she says, hitting him on the chest.
Baretski waits a moment or two. ‘Are you all right?’ ‘No, I’m not fucking all right. You bastards. How many more of us must you kill?’
incredulous.
‘And that makes her a hero. You’re a hero too, my darling. That the two of you have chosen to survive is a type of resistance to these Nazi bastards. Choosing to live is an act of defiance, a form of heroism.’
Hold that thought. Use it to get out of bed tomorrow morning, and the next morning, and the next.
Somewhere my family will be looking at the same stars now and wondering where I am. I hope they can get more comfort from them than I can.
How can a race spread out across multiple countries be considered a threat?
‘You must first learn to listen to her. Even if you are tired, never be too tired to listen to what she has to say. Learn what she likes, and more importantly what she doesn’t like. When you can, give her little treats – flowers, chocolates – women like these things.’
mahogany
Lale lived his life by the motto: ‘If you wake up in the morning, it is a good day.’
‘As long as we are alive and healthy, everything will work out for the best.’
