They’re eating liked starved apes,” Baz muttered as he swished past me with more food. “Haven’t they had enough yet?” he wondered a minute later when we passed again. “Keep your hands well clear of their forks,” he warned me as we pirouetted round each other at the dumbwaiter. “I was nearly stabbed clean through. They’ll be eating the cutlery soon!” “And us if we’re not quick enough,” I added. Baz guffawed then coughed to cover it up.

Konrad had gone to the New World without me, and no matter how fast I ran westward, how close I kept to the sunsets, I would never catch up with him now.

I couldn’t imagine such men at rest, their faces smooth and innocent despite the wickedness of their hearts.

I whirled to see the snake springing up from the ferns and bouncing towards us, fast. This time we turned and ran. Every time I looked around, the snake was still there. I wanted to laugh and scream at the same time. The little creature was ridiculous. It was terrifying, and it was also gaining on us.

The noise kept up and did not stop. My head rang. I saw Shepherd take the chewing gum from his mouth, break it into two, and stick it in both ears. He kept working.

Yes’ is a very powerful word. It’s like opening a door. It’s like fanning a flame. It’s the most powerful word in the world.

You’re like something drawn with the sun’s fire, and I can take only little glimpses of you.

A masterpiece of vagueness.

I believe there is something on this earth that you desire more than anything, and it isn’t me.

It’s somewhat disquieting that the same parents and educators who are horrified by the notion of child soldiers have bestowed upon ‘The Hunger Games’ a double mantle of critical praise and global bestsellerdom.