What the River Knows Quotes

“Grief was like a memory keeper. It showed me moments I’d forgotten, and I was grateful, even as my stomach hollowed out. I never wanted to forget them, no matter how painful it was to remember.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Everyone deserved a living wage. No human ought to be treated as if their work didn’t matter, or their choices, or their dreams.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Art should outlive its creator.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“That was the smile I didn’t trust—I just knew it came with consequences.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“The Nile knew everything,had seen the best and worst if Egypt.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“No human ought to be treated as if their work didn’t matter, or their choices, or their dreams.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Mamá called it stubbornness, my tutors thought it a flaw. But I named it what it was: persistence.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“In Egypt? We’re all looking for something.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Is this it, Whit?” I whispered. He squeezed me and pressed his lips against mine lightly. “If it is, this where I want to be.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Grief was like a memory keeper.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“He eyed me warily. “Have I told you how much I live in terror of your ideas?” “That’s rude.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“The world dimmed, narrowed to the barrel of her weapon.
‘I know you’re the type of person who would leave the safety of the camp with a near stranger, even knowing they carried a weapon.’
I backed away a step. ‘What are you playing at? Lower it.’
Isadora rolled her eyes. ‘Now you’re scared. A little too late, Inez.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Inez,” he whispered, his voice hoarse, “it goes both ways.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Their death was a truth that was both strange, and yet profoundly ordinary.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“I did love my dresses, but did they have to be so delicate?”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“What game are you playing now, Whit?” I asked, unable to keep the anger from my voice. “No game,” Whit countered. “Only clearing the air. Dance with me.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“You’re terribly decent,” I said. “Despite pretending to be otherwise.” “Just as long as you don’t tell anyone,” he said with a slight smile. Then he ducked out of my room.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Traveling alone was an education. I discovered I didn’t like to eat alone, reading on boats made me ill, and I was terrible at cards. But I learned that I had a knack for making friends.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“He knew more about my parents, truths he wouldn’t share. He drank too much and probably flirted with every woman he met. It was hard to feel special if I was just a drop in the bucket. But he had saved my life. Cared to make sure if I was comfortable. Took my side in arguments with my uncle.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“I won’t let him get away with it. I want him to know it was me that ruined him. The person he underestimated, the sister he believed insignificant and not smart enough to understand his work.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Hurt pinched my heart and I tried not to think about how we might have laughed harder if she had behaved more like herself around me.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“I don’t have those anymore,” Mr. Hayes said matter-of-factly. “Why on earth would you think so?” A deep flush burned my cheeks. “You’ve just saved my life. We’ve dined together. You kissed me goodbye?”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Have a care for your reputation,” he said, towering over me. “As if you care about mine,” I snapped. “I’m just a job to you.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Have you not heard of the bar at Shepheard’s? It’s legendary. The best of humanity gathered round to gossip, deal, manipulate, and inebriate”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“What I didn’t understand was what he actually did. Was he a treasure hunter? A student of Egyptian history? A lover of sand and blistering days out in the sun?”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“You asked me once why I was dishonorably discharged.” I lifted my head. “And you’re finally going to tell me now that we’re going to die?” “Sweetheart, do you want to hear this or not?”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Come now,” Tío Ricardo said. “I’ve seen the way you look at her.” “Well, she has a certain charm,” Whit said dryly. “It comes out when she’s lying to your face.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“Everyone deserved a living wage. No human out to be treated as if their work didn't matter, or their choices, or their dreams.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“His face bore every one of his stories; the lines held untold adventures, his scars displayed the perilous moments in his life, the glasses a necessity from long years of being hunched over a book. All put together, he was a study of secrets and academic pursuit, the mark of an explorer.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows

“We are going to have words,” Mr. Hayes said in a grim voice, preparing to launch himself over the railing. “Several of them.”
― Isabel Ibañez, What the River Knows