"Father was afraid of laughter and joy. He was particularly afraid of ridicule. He was afraid that someone would say that humans are descended from apes. Or that the Earth is much older than four thousand years. Or that someone would ask where Noah got his polar bears from. Or that someone would swear. Father was terrified" (Chapter 10, p. 109).

"Thomas simply thought the trams away. He thought away everything that was forbidden: The trams, the cars, the bicycles, and the boys playing soccer in the street. The birds could stay, for they didn't know it was Sunday. Because they had no soul" (Chapter 1, p. 13).

"'Mama and Thomas have no reason to be afraid of God,' she hissed. 'Because they are kind. You are not kind.' She made a stabbing movement with the knife. 'Don't think I won't dare,' she growled. 'I am like you. I...