The well-turned phrase

[aged-crone.livejournal.com]

In a training session for the teachers at my school, we were talking about elements of good writing (with an eye to how to teach them to children) and one of the things we agreed on was unusual words or original ways of putting things. One of my teachers is going through the Newbery Medal winners, starting with the first one, and when she got to GAY NECK: THE STORY OF A PIGEON, she was telling me one phrase that she absolutely loved: "sapphire intangibility" (describing the sky). I know there have been many phrases that have struck me in books that I've read, and I've decided to start gathering them, from other teachers and from myself, and posting them on the walls where children can read them.

So, tell me: What are some phrases or sentences (nothing longer than a sentence) that you find memorable? Mostly from Thief, QoA, and KoA, but any other books, too. (If you're like me, the minute you try to remember them you'll find you can't, but do persevere).

Comments

[traboule.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I like that Marlowe. I've never read any, but I feel like maybe I should. I like the way it's got a kind of gravity as well as a sort of wistful feel...neat.

Maybe this is just because I like Persepolis. Hmm.