The life where nothing was ever unexpected. Or inconvenient. Or unusual. The life without color, pain or joy. (Page 6)
Without memories, there was no longer any pain. (Page 6)
They’ll be no new feelings. (Page 8)
If everything’s the same, then there aren’t any choices, right? (Page 11)
The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it. (Page 18)
Our people made that choice, the choice to go to Sameness. (Page 19)
When people have the freedom to choose, they choose wrong. (Page 22)
Sameness is not bravery. (Page 36)
I feel sorry for anyone who is in a place where he feels strange and stupid. (Page 38)
I don’t know what you mean when you say ‘love’. (Page 45)
It was as if he had been thinking about his answer for quite a long time. (Page 47)
They stood as if in formation, and Jonas stood behind his podium, waiting. (Page 52)
Comfort object only caused discomfort by reminding her of his own, deeper losses. (Page 60)
Everyone has the right to make his own choices. (Page 64)
We shouldn’t be talking about this. (Page 73)
If you were to be released, the community would lose all knowledge of you. (Page 76)
The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it. (Page 79)
It’s not fair that nothing has color! (Page 92)
There’s so much more. There’s all that goes beyond, all … that is Elsewhere, and all that goes back, and back, and back. (Page 111)
He couldn’t even imagine how they would react. (Page 114)
They don’t want change. Life here is so predictable. (Page 126)
Comfort object only caused discomfort by reminding her of his own, deeper losses. (Page 140)
It was a quiet celebration because no one had ever celebrated a release. (Page 148)
If I have to live like the people in Sameness, I don’t want to live at all. (Page 153)
I can’t describe it. I have no words. (Page 161)
Now, seeing the new child gazing steadily at him, Jonas smiled. (Page 174)
I enjoyed the feeling of love. (Page 178)
He knew that there was no quick comfort for emotions… (Page 185)
It had been a good day. (Page 191)
But now his mind was clear, and he knew what he had to do. (Page 199)
For the first time, he heard something that he knew to be music. (Page 204)
Maybe memories had to be this painful; maybe they are always a part of growing up. (Page 209)
It hurt to breathe. (Page 214)
Sometimes I wish they’d ask for my wisdom more often-there are so many things I could tell them; things I wish they would change. (Page 217)
How could someone not fit in? (Page 221)
I have great honor. So will you. (Page 226)
But what if they don’t change? What if they never change? What if they are incapable of change? (Page 235)
He wondered if they still existed. If they still happened, somewhere. (Page 239)
Jonas was overwhelmed with feelings of love. (Page 246)
But now he was hungry. Now he wanted more. (Page 257)
To his astonishment, nothing happened. (Page 264)
I want you to listen to me. I want you to understand what they did to you. (Page 271)
My spouse … my child. (Page 280)
She existed only to give service, and never to receive it. (Page 288)
I feel … Jonas hesitated. I just feel ordinary. (Page 294)
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