This book belongs to the most rare of men. Perhaps not one of them is yet alive. First the day after tomorrow must come for me. Some men are born posthumously.

I like a look of agony, because I know it's true

What difference does it make whether your work is appreciated or not? The work will still be yours. Anyway, most of us are only appreciated after we are dead.

Maybe that is the greatest of wonders: that we can be shaped so much by those we've known closely, and equally by those we've never known at all - and that we too can change the world long after we've left it.

Immortality was overrated, as far as he was concerned. Hardy had enough problems as it was; living forever sounded like a death sentence for someone with his practical sensibilities.

He pinched the remaining chapters’ pages delicately between his fingers and sighed. He always hated reaching the end of a good book.

As any avid reader knew, a good read deserved a good seat.

To think that she had read the same elegiac prose he now beheld with such quiet awe made his heart sing.