Quotes from book
Winter's Tale

Winter's Tale
Mark Helprin

Winter's Tale is a 1983 fantasy novel by Mark Helprin. It takes place in a mythic New York City, markedly different from reality, and in an industrial Edwardian era near the turn of the 20th century. The novel was adapted into a feature film by Akiva Goldsman.

Mark Helprin photo

“He could say nothing. He had no right to be there, he had already been profoundly changed, he was no good at small talk, she was half naked, it was dawn and he loved her.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

Mark Helprin photo

“They're not just dreams. Not anymore, I dream more than I wake now, and, at times, I have crossed over. Can't you see? I've been there.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

Mark Helprin photo

“All great discoveries… are products as much of doubt as of certainty, and the two in opposition clear the air for marvelous accidents.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

Mark Helprin photo

“For what can be imagined more beautiful than the sight of a perfectly just city rejoicing in justice alone.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

Mark Helprin photo

“… to be paid for one's joy is to steal.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

Mark Helprin photo

“[When] he's here, he's always reading. He says books stop time. I myself think he's crazy… Don't tell anyone, but when he reads something that he likes he gets real happy, turns on the music, and dances by himself, or with a broom sometimes.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

Mark Helprin photo

“They gave themselves up to the stars the way swimmers can surrender to the waves, and the stars took them without resistance.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

Mark Helprin photo

“The shelf was filled with books that were hard to read, that could devastate and remake one's soul, and that, when they were finished, had a kick like a mule.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

Mark Helprin photo

“Quite possibly there's nothing as fine as a big freight train starting across country in early summer, Hardesty thought. That's when you learn that the tragedy of plants is that they have roots.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

Mark Helprin photo

“If nothing is random, and everything is predetermined, how can there be free will? The answer to that is simple. Nothing is predetermined; it is determined, or was determined, or will be determined.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

Mark Helprin photo

“He moved like a dancer, which is not surprising; a horse is a beautiful animal, but it is perhaps most remarkable because it moves as if it always hears music.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

Mark Helprin photo

“And they'll vote for me because I'm the best liar, because I do it honestly, with a certain finesse. They know that lies and truth are very close, and that something beautiful rests between.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

Mark Helprin photo

“He hated it as if he were about to love it—unforgivingly, irrationally, sadly.”

Mark Helprin book Winter's Tale

Source: Winter's Tale

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