At the Mouth of the River of Bees Quotes

“There would be sadness and nightmares. And there would be lovemaking and the holding close of children and friends and dogs -- affirmations of life in the cold wet night.”
― Kij Johnson, At the Mouth of the River of Bees: Stories

“I can write about it if I am careful, if I keep it far enough away.”
― Kij Johnson, At the Mouth of the River of Bees: Stories

“These cables will fail eventually, these stones will fall—but not the dream of crossing the mist, the dream of connection. Now that we know it can happen, it will always be here.”
― Kij Johnson, At the Mouth of the River of Bees

“Sam has rolled to his side, waiting patiently for Linna to remember to scratch him. Live forever, she thinks, and wills his twisted spine and legs straight and well.”
― Kij Johnson, At the Mouth of the River of Bees: Stories

“A fish is not seduced by bait. When it grows hungry, it eats whichever mosquito or dragonfly happens to be closest. If one is fortunate or destined, it is one's bait that is closest at that moment. But it is chance that fish and bait are in the right places at the right time.”
― Kij Johnson, At the Mouth of the River of Bees: Stories

“Does Carthage even have forests? Did Virgil know for sure or was it just convenient for his story? Virgil was a professional liar. This would not be the only place where he pruned the truth until it was as artificial as an espaliered pear tree against a wall, forced into an expedient shape and bearing the demanded fruit.”
― Kij Johnson, At the Mouth of the River of Bees: Stories

“Everyone wanted to tell their stories and to know where they fit in their own fudoki. She was not that different.”
― Kij Johnson, At the Mouth of the River of Bees

“The sentence, “She was hollow, as though something had chewed a hole in her body and the hole had grown infected,” unless it’s been used before by someone else in a story she cannot recall.”
― Kij Johnson, At the Mouth of the River of Bees

“All those losses, but this one at least he could prevent. “When the time comes,” he said: “When you sail. I will come with you.”
― Kij Johnson, At the Mouth of the River of Bees

“Ferrys die, but there is always a Ferry to cross the mist. Bridges and ferryfolk, they are not so different, Kit.”
― Kij Johnson, At the Mouth of the River of Bees