The Victory Garden Quotes

“There is nothing to say except that life is unfair. You will get over it, … but only time will heal your wounds, and then not completely. We just have to made do with what we have left and treasure those around us who are still alive.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“I’m teaching you how to survive in a difficult world. You can’t be under your parents’ thumb forever. You have to take charge of your own life now you’re going to be twenty-one.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“I will not be bullied or dictated to. I’m not a child any more, and I’m prepared to make my own way and my own mistakes if necessary.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“Necessities for all manner of healing in the herb garden: Hyssop, Wormwood, Rue, Coriander, Pasqueflower, Rosemary, St John’s Wort, Costmary, Lady’s Mantle, Lady’s Bedstraw, Angelica, Heartsease, Lily of the Valley, Marigold, Milk Thistle, Thyme, Sweet Woodruff. To these I plan to add, as time permits: Wood Betony, Comfrey, Coltsfoot, Cowslip, Hawthorn, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Meadowsweet, Sage, Valerian, Yarrow and Winter Savory.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“My teachers at school said I had a good brain and wanted me to go to university, but my mother thought it was a silly idea. She said too much education was not good for women. They needed to know how to run a home and a family, and being educated only made them discontent. I’m afraid she’s hopelessly old-fashioned in her ideas.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“Books are wonderful. You can get transported away by a good story.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“For anxiety and the uncalm spirit, for a peaceful sleepe without evil dreames. Make an infusion of hoppes, skullcap, vervain, valerian, wild lettuce and passion flower. To these can be added lavender, lemon balm and chamomile to sweeten the potion and to infuse the air with calming sweetness.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“Oh, you’re missing so much, Alice,” Emily said. “Books are wonderful. You can get transported away by a good story. If we’re living in a place like this, we can read about Paris or a tropical island and feel like we’re there.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“Like a fox being chased by the hounds, she needed a bolthole in which to lick her wounds.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“Time is the only healer.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“My father is the son of a vicar and rose to become a judge. My mother is solidly middle class. Her father was a bank manager. But she has grand ideas. She was set on my marrying a title.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“Old Josh”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“At the end of the week, she received a letter with a London postmark, but written in a strange hand. Dear Madam, I am not sure of your last name, as you only sign yourself as Emily. I am the matron of the Royal London Hospital, and I am sorry to inform you that Nurse Clarissa Hamilton succumbed to complications of influenza two weeks ago and passed away. She was a brave young woman who worked tirelessly in the worst conditions of the East End and gave her life for others. I am enclosing her family’s address in case you would like to write a letter of condolence.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“She was essentially living in a fishbowl, and she would have to tread with caution”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“How can you promise?” Emily found herself near to tears. “You can’t stop a storm, and if it’s going to . . .” Another huge clap of thunder exploded overhead.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“Emily?” Her mother’s strident voice echoed up the staircase. “Where are you, child? I told you we would be leaving at ten thirty on the dot. Come along. We can’t keep the young men waiting. Best foot forward.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“The war is over. They just signed the armistice. Eleven o'clock this morning, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“We’ve all lost so much. Why is life so full of suffering?”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden

“War’s a bugger, isn’t it?” he said. “All the mates I started out with are gone. And now most of the boys I flew with.” He said it in the most matter-of-fact way, as if it were something quite expected.”
― Rhys Bowen, The Victory Garden