The River Quotes

“Sometimes,' she said, remembering that morning, 'I write poems that are taller than I am”
― Rumer Godden, The River

“So many grown-up people seem to be nothing very much.”
― Rumer Godden, The River

“Harriet was silent, thinking, and then she said, "It is too hard to be a person. You don't only have to go on and on. You have to be--" she looked for the word she needed and could not find it. Then, "You have to be tall as well," said Harriet.”
― Rumer Godden, The River

“Funny,' said Harriet to herself. 'The world goes on turning, and it has all these troubles in it.”
― Rumer Godden, The River

“Harriet told her, 'Captain John was so brave. He stayed there in the battle until his leg was shot off.' Victoria's brown eyes rested thoughtfully on Captain John. "Why didn't he stay until the other leg was shot off?' she asked. But he still seemed to like Victoria best.”
― Rumer Godden, The River

“You are born, you are a he or a she, and you live until you die... Willy-nilly.”
― Rumer Godden, The River

“With the feeling of elation there came to Harriet a feeling of responsibility. She had avowed herself. She had signed herself away. It was public now. She was different. With all the glory, she wished she could have kept herself a secret.”
― Rumer Godden, The River

“On occasions, very occasionally, things happen as you feel they will, as you feel in your bones they will.”
― Rumer Godden, The River