A different Australia emerged in the 1950s. A multicultural one, and 30 years on we're still trying to fit in as ethnics, and we're still trying to fit the ethnics in as Australians.

— Melina Marchetta

And at that moment Jude thought something that he would never forgive himself for. He wished that he had never met any of them.

— Melina Marchetta

And suddenly I know I have to go. But this time without being chased by the Brigadier, without experiencing the kindness of a postman from Mass, and without taking along a Cadet who will change the way I breathe for the rest of my life.

— Melina Marchetta

And we all end up where we started

— Melina Marchetta

And won’t he grow up to be the healthiest of young men, all because she kept him safe? Ready for the world. Ready to one day conquer it. To travel. Get on a train. Go to work. Get blown out of her life. Maybe she should be having that glass of wine and cigarette after all.

— Melina Marchetta

A piece of me is gone," she told me once while we were bra shopping. "I think we're made up of all these different pieces and every time someone goes, you're left with less of yourself.

— Melina Marchetta

Are you an idiot, or an idiot?' Gagarin hissed.' The first one. I really resent being called the second.

— Melina Marchetta

Are you calling us pigs?’ From asked, watching as Rafael winced for the tenth time at the formality of From’s Charon. Rafuel thought for a moment and then nodded.‘Actually yes, I am. Pig-like.’ Froi turned back to Creation and Perry, who were discussing the need for longbow training in the rock village.‘What is it?’ Perry asked From.‘He said we eat like pigs.’ Trevanion and Perry thought about it for a moment and then went back to their conversation.

— Melina Marchetta

Arturo made a scoffing sound. ‘You think Lumiere will invade because of you? Are you that important?’ Froi looked away. ‘Usable would invade if you kidnapped a servant, let alone a friend.’‘Usable? We’re on first-name terms with the Queen of Lumiere, are we?’ Gagarin asked. Froi found himself bristling. ‘What? Do you think I’m some cutthroat for hire who they found hanging around the palace walls with the words “I want to kill a Charité King” tattooed on my ass?

— Melina Marchetta

As he left Data’s home that morning, he knew that a part of his life was complete and that whatever path he chose, he would experience the ache of unfulfilled dreams. For a moment he allowed himself to feel regret at the thought of never building a cottage by the river with Creation. Or living the life of a simple farmer connected to the earth. Or traveling his kingdom, satisfying the nomad he had become. To be Mannikin of the Rock and the Mont's and the River and the Flatlands and the Forest. To be none of those at all. Yet he also knew that to lose her to another man would be a slow torture every day for the rest of his life.

— Melina Marchetta