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

[aged-crone.livejournal.com]

And, of course: "The queen was settling on the edge of the bed, ungainly with hesitation and at the same time exquisite in her grace, like a heron landing in a treetop."

[(Anonymous)]

*grin*

The Crimson Petal and the White is by Michel Faber. It's set in Victorian times, and the main character (Sugar) is a prostitute. There are several contrasting love stories, and quite a bit of tragedy. I found it very interesting, and I recommend it. (It isn't like Dickens. For one thing, there's actual sex and for another there aren't enough subplots/characters.)

Another quote that I love but is a little long to share here is from Anna Karenina. "Looking at him, she physically felt her humiliation and could say nothing more. And he felt what a murderer must feel when he looks at the body he has deprived of life..." etc.

~Feir Dearig