Out of Sorts Quotes

“It’s extraordinary how people can take a smile for an invitation to chat.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“Heaven forbid you be left in peace in your own home. Always somebody volunteering to be a pain in the ass, and today, no less.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“He’s never changed course, nor admitted when he’s wrong. His weaknesses, his mistakes, or just his feelings—he’s always kept them to himself. “A real Aries!”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“Stop crossing things off as soon as they don’t turn out the way you want.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“He must face facts: he doesn’t scare anyone anymore and especially not those two.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“They say you become an adult when you realize you have to die one day.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“Bad luck may not have had everything to do with it, though, as Ferdinand isn’t the easygoing type. He runs on a different voltage, with a logic all his own, leaving him nearly incomprehensible to ordinary people. For”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“Always somebody volunteering to be a pain in the ass, and today, no less.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“He searches his memory for the exact moment his fate started to get away from him.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“Hardenberg first became curious about translation as an undergrad at Smith College, where she ultimately translated part of a novel from French as a portion of her honors thesis in comparative literature. After receiving a dual master’s degree in comparative literature (with a focus on translation) and library science at Indiana University”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“He must face facts: he doesn’t scare anyone anymore and especially not those two. Just look at how they destabilize him and come back for more like a karate match. If Juliette has already racked up the equivalent of eight points (against Ferdinand’s zero), Mrs. Claudel achieved ippon in thirty seconds! No. Ferdinand must pull himself together. Regain the advantage. No one changes at his age. Let alone for the better.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“In his entire life he’s only done housework maybe twice, and he doesn’t have any concrete memory of it.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“You have an iron constitution, Mr. Brun, and your heart is good as new. It’s like it’s never been used.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“Outside, he looks at the world around him. The Earth didn’t stop turning in Daisy’s absence. Everyone goes about his or her business: the baker makes change, the florist prepares a bouquet, the bus driver waves to his colleague. Everything seems lighthearted.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“Bad luck may not have had everything to do with it, though, as Ferdinand isn’t the easygoing type. He runs on a different voltage, with a logic all his own, leaving him nearly incomprehensible to ordinary people.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“decrees.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“Oh, yeah, did you think I could leave without you? I’m going to request they bury the urn with me. Marion will make a fuss. Then again, if I’m paying, I’ll do what I want!”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“The scene is surreal. Ferdinand’s house is crowded, overflowing. Suitcases, bags, noises, words shouted from one room to another, yapping, closet doors banging. From the kitchen where he’s cutting a zucchini into slices, which he’ll season with a mustard and balsamic vinaigrette (a new recipe from Beatrice), he’s trying to get a handle on his emotions. His heart is always pounding. It would really be his luck to pop off now . . ”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“Ferdinand’s heart starts to beat faster. The puppy whimpers, and Ferdinand calms him with a reassuring caress. The letter slips to the floor. He smiles. Life seems sweeter.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“I’m going to tell you a secret: she’s got a crush on you. She told all the nurses and her grandchildren that you look like Clint Eastwood or Anthony Hopkins, only more mature.” “I’m not sure that’s a compliment. A cross between a trigger-happy cop and a cannibal?”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“I’m going to tell you a secret: she’s got a crush on you. She told all the nurses and her grandchildren that you look like Clint Eastwood or Anthony Hopkins, only more mature.” “I’m not sure that’s a compliment.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“His hostility has become second nature, a way of life, of survival, even. Yes, survival, because Ferdinand resents growing old. Solitude, the decay of the body, all that is slowly killing him. The only activity Ferdinand has found to stave off boredom is being nasty so no one misses him when he goes.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts

“Growing old means seeing others die.”
― Aurélie Valognes, Out of Sorts