"

Besides, who ever asked you what you wanted in this world, girl?The answer to that question, reader, as you well know, was absolutely no one.

"

This is a wonderful joke to play upon a prisoner, to promise forgiveness.

"

Like most hearts, it was complicated, shaded with dark and dappled with light.

"

No one cared what she wanted. No one had ever cared. And perhaps, worst of all, no one ever would care.

"

Despereaux was reading the story out loud to himself. He was reading from the beginning so that he could get to the end...

"

Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark. Begin at the beginning. Tell Gregory a story. Make some light.

"

the story is not a pretty one. there is violence in it. And cruelty. But stories that are not pretty have a certain value, too, I suppose. Everything,...more