The Truth According to Us Quotes

“I’ve learned that history is the autobiography of the historian, that ignoring the past is the act of a fool, and that loyalty does not mean falling into line, but stepping out of it for the people you love.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“I have since wondered, of course, how my life would have been different if I'd decided to stay home that morning. This is what's called the enigma of history, and it can drive you out of your mind if you let it.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“Time softened on Sundays; it stretched itself out in vast rubbery lengths, and by two o'clock, there was more of it than would ever be needed for anything. There was no point in reading a book, writing a letter, or playing a game, because time was too flaccid ever to proceed to the moment in which the plot would twist, the letter would be sent, or the game would be won.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“You're right, Jottie, but what good is it? Rightness is nothing. You can't live on it. You might as well eat ashes." I glanced at Father, his bloodshot eyes and the stain on his pants. I loved him so. Once more, I tried to explain. "This is all we can do; it's all we're allowed. We can't go back. The only thing time leaves for us to decide" -- I picked up Father's hand and held it tight-- "is whether or not we're going to hate each other.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“All of us see a story according to our own lights. None of us is capable of objectivity. You”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“He was lying; I could hear it the way you hear a tune and you know how it goes. I wondered how many times I'd heard him lie, to know so well what it sounded like.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“And she’s certainly a good cook.” Miss Betts sighed. “The epitaph of the spinster.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“Time softened on Sundays; it stretched itself out in vast rubbery lengths, and by two o’clock, there was more of it than would ever be needed for anything. There”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“It’s very demoralizing to be regarded as a problem rather than an individual.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“I swung the door open and relaxed. She wasn't there. I stepped in and shut the door behind me. I had promised God I wouldn't touch anything. I'd just look at what was lying around. If Jane Eyre had only looked around a little, she might have saved herself a lot of heartache.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“Whatever gave you the idea we were like everybody else?”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“feeling as though I meant nothing at all to anyone. I’m terribly lonely. How will I bear this for three more months? Today alone has lasted years.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“Sometimes Felix seemed like an empty house, but he wasn’t really. It was just that he kept all his possessions in a locked room. And when, once every few years, the door cracked open for a moment, she felt strangely moved to see herself within.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“She laughed—and then stopped.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“But what can I do? I can—she leapt into the abyss—join a ladies’ club. There! That’s respectable! That’s something I can do! I can be ladylike. Why, I can be more ladylike than anyone, as long as I can keep myself from saying the first thing that pops into my mind.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“Don’t you mind, Jottie? Don’t you want to have what other people have? Just the regular things, you know, like a date or a kiss or a marriage?”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“blast,”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“Jun Lloyd’s been four times, once in the dead of night, and he says there’s blood oozing out from under the front door, because Mr. Shank’s stabbing everyone—”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“Andy crouched disconsolately before Judge Hardy. “Dad, I don’t understand these modern girls. Polly won’t let you kiss her at all, but this Cynthia, she’ll let you kiss her whenever you want, all the time.”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

“evidently aroused the attention of Macedonia’s”
― Annie Barrows, The Truth According to Us