City of Masks Quotes

“I hardly think a girl is much of a threat. I presume you searched her for weapons? But if she attempts to suffocate me with her straw mattress, I promise to call out for help.”
― Mary Hoffman, City of Masks

“If I had known, do you think I should have let her get away with this mad plan? That I should have let her rob me of my child? No, I should have taken you myself and hidden with you in some far-off land and never seen her again rather than agree to such an unnatural scheme”
― Mary Hoffman, City of Masks

“Rodolfo looked at him sadly. 'If it is civilisation to kill vast numbers of people at a stroke, then yes, that is what they want.”
― Mary Hoffman, City of Masks

“Everyone in Bellezza paid more attention to state ceremonies and celebrations than they did to religion. even the priests and monks. Tradition was what mattered in the lagoon. Tradition and superstition. That's why hot family were here today, because traditionally all islanders forsook their churches, even the special ones in Torrone, and came to Mass in the basilica of Santa Maddalena on the Sunday after the Marriage with the Sea. The Duchessa herself was seated prominently in the front row, slender as a new bride, dressed all in white, with a silver mask in the shape of a cat's face.”
― Mary Hoffman, City of Masks

“After a pause, the dark blue sky began to brighten with the fire-pictures of Rodolfo's set pieces. First a giant brazen bull pawing the sky, then a blue and green wave of the sea, out of which grew a glittering serpent. Then a winged horse flying above them and seeming to sweep down into the water of the canal, where it disappeared. Finally, a silver ram seemed to emerge from the sea and grew massively large above the watchers before it dissolved into a thousand stars.”
― Mary Hoffman, City of Masks

“Of her face there was little to be seen. As usual she wore a mask. Today's was made of peacock feathers, as shimmering and iridescent as her dress. Behind her stood her waiting-women, all masked, though more simply dressed, holding cloaks and towels.”
― Mary Hoffman, City of Masks

“It was like having custard in your veins instead of blood, getting exhausted just trying to sit up in bed. Like drinking half a cup of tea and finding it as difficult as climbing Everest.”
― Mary Hoffman, City of Masks

“... op het water drijven. Je moet er een keer heen, Lucien. Als je de bocht van de lagune om gaat en je ziet al die torenspitsen en koepels hoog boven het water uitsteken, nou, dan heb je het gevoel dat je in de hemel komt. Al dat goud...”
― Mary Hoffman, City of Masks

“Ik heb mijn besluit genomen. - Arianna”
― Mary Hoffman, City of Masks

“De duchessa is dood. - Silvia”
― Mary Hoffman, City of Masks

“Een dolk en een masker,' fluisterde Lucien. 'Over een paar maanden zul je nog gevaarlijker zijn dan je nu al bent.”
― Mary Hoffman, City of Masks

“Dia... het is zo. Ik begrijp er niet veel van, maar ik geloof je wél. Je komt uit een grote stad hier heel ver vandaan, waar je heel erg ziek bent, en hier ben je opeens gezond en wel. Hoe bestaat dat? - Arianna”
― Mary Hoffman, City of Masks