Quotes by Jessie Burton

“What are we all chasing? Nella wonders. To live, of course. To be unbound from the invisible ropes that Johannes spoke of in his study. Or to be happy in them, at least.”

“I felt nothing change in the room, except the shock of my voice alone and the peculiar euphoria one feels in the wake of applause, feeling at once cheapened and triumphant.”

“But words are water in Amsterdam, they flood your ears and set the rot, and the church's east corner is crowded.”

“A Depressive?' 'Smiles in ballrooms, weeps in bedrooms. Ill in her head.' Olive tapped her temple. 'And here.' She touched her heart.”

“A piece of art only succeeds when it's creator...possesses the belief that brings it into being”

“Like most artists, everything I produced was connected to who I was - and so I suffered according to how my work was received. The idea that anyone might be able to detach their personal value from...”

“Im doing the absolute opposite of giving myself away. As far as Im concerned, Ill be completely visible. If the painting sells, Ill be in Paris, hanging on a wall. If anything, Im being selfish. It...”

“You are a stone, thrown upon a lake. But the ripples you create will never make you still.”

“This city is like no other city in the world. It is brilliant but it is bloated, and I've never called it home”

“The turnip cannot thrive in the tulips patch of soil.”

“The rules of this house are written in water. I must either sink or swim.”

“Because, Petronella - it's something in his soul. It's something in his soul and you can't get it out.”

“All we can do if we're lucky is stich up the mistakes other people make.”

“That may be. But to decide that I was never going to live as a proper woman was not your choice to make.' 'What do you mean a proper woman?' 'A proper woman marries - she has children -' 'Then what...”

“Love your children, for they are the seeds that will make this city bloom.”

“Words are water in this city. One drop of rumour could drown us.”

“Take care, take care. This city thrives! It's money gives you wings to soar. But it is a yoke on your shoulders and you would do well to take note of the bruise around your neck.”

“Believe it or don't believe it, Madame. But my feet are tired too. Bloody tired. Like a dead man's.”

“We're nothing more than prisoners to your desire.”

“The ink was secret nectar, for Marin isn't married.”