The Giant, O'Brien Quotes

“Early in November, his followers had been out on the streets throwing squibs and crackers; it was an English custom. “I’ve never been warm since,” Claffey said. There had been fighting afterwards. This was five days after the gentry of Ireland had flitted to their wintering grounds, moving silently, gliding white in the dusk. It is unwise to obstruct them, to walk on their paths, or look at them directly. Their existence depends on tricks of the light, and shadows moving through water; their natural state is shadow. They don’t count, don’t know the days of the week, and use only wooden implements, distrusting iron and steel. They have children by the basketful, and carry them on their backs. All these gentlefolk are very old.”
― Hilary Mantel, The Giant, O'Brien

“Pybus said to Vance, “Bitch Mary has a debt.”
   “So she does,” was the genial response. “And must work to pay it.”
   “But for how many years?” Pybus said.
   Joe shrugged. “Who knows how many? And should she sicken and die, another will pay it in her place.”
― Hilary Mantel, The Giant, O'Brien

“One day a letter came. “Wullie’s sent for me,” he said to Dorothea. “I’ve to go south. He’s wanting a strong youth.”
   “Then I suppose you’ll do,” his sister said.”
― Hilary Mantel, The Giant, O'Brien

“London is like the sea and the gallows. It refuses none.”
― Hilary Mantel, The Giant, O'Brien

“Joe scowled. “That red-head, the one with the kerchief. From the cellar. What’s her name?”
   “Bitch.”
   “What?”
   “That is what we are all named, here in England. Shift my shit, bitch. Scrub my floor, bitch. Lift your skirt, bitch, shut your eyes, soon you’ll come by a nasty surprise.”
   “This isn’t right,” the Giant said.
   “Not pleasant, but highly reasonable,” the girl said. “Suppose one of ours is taken up and questioned: What is the name of the woman who cut that man, what is the name of the woman who took his purse? Bitch, he says. Yes, I know, says the magistrate, but what is her name? Then our boy rolls his eyes and says, Bitch: or at least she has no other name I ever heard.”
   “I see it,” Claffey said. “I understand. It’s a grand scheme. But from day to day can we not . . . ?”
   “You can call me Mary,” the girl said.
   The Giant said, “That’s all-purpose, too.”
― Hilary Mantel, The Giant, O'Brien

“If any stranger is weeping in the street, it is worth a moment of your time to approach him and tenderly ask why. If bereavement is the cause, then softly enquire, ‘And where is your loved one laid out? And died of what cause? Just yesterday, you say? My, how I pity you, sir.’
   “In grief, even strong men blurt, and this blurting may produce much valuable information.”
― Hilary Mantel, The Giant, O'Brien