Quotes from A Tangle of Knots

Lisa Graff ·  230 pages

Rating: (7.2K votes)


“It's the way we deal with what Fate hands us that defines who we are.”
― Lisa Graff, quote from A Tangle of Knots


“Life is the grandest adventure one can go on, isn't it?' said the giant kindly (he seemed to be a very friendly giant). 'What else could a person ask for than just to be alive?'

Will knew exactly what else a person could ask for. 'Monsters,' he said. 'And cake.”
― Lisa Graff, quote from A Tangle of Knots


“There's no controlling what Fate hands you...and in my experience, it rarely seem to give you exactly what you need at the exact moment you need it. ...Just remember this, it's the way we deal with what Fate hands us that defines who we are”
― Lisa Graff, quote from A Tangle of Knots


“And every one of these days, from dawn to dusk, has been more or less the same. Far from grand but not too horrible, either, like a pebble underneath your sock that’s not quite large enough to bother removing.”
― Lisa Graff, quote from A Tangle of Knots


“Just remember this. It’s the way we deal with what Fate hands us that defines who we are.”
― Lisa Graff, quote from A Tangle of Knots



“Trying hard and being a good person didn't always mean good things would happen to you. But it did mean that others might try on your behalf.”
― Lisa Graff, quote from A Tangle of Knots


About the author

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“For several seconds, we stand there staring each other down. Anger radiates off the both of us in waves, crackling like electricity.
And then…he sort of staggers back. All his swagger, his bravado, crumbles away in a split second, just like that. “Why do we keep doing this? Yelling at each other like this?”
I let out my breath in a huff. “Because you always piss me off, that’s why, acting all smug and superior.”
“Yeah, and you always throw temper tantrums like some kind of spoiled brat. That’s just who we are. We’re not perfect.” He takes a deep, rattling breath. “But we’re good together, Jem.”
He’s right. I know he is, but…
“You say you love me, but you can’t even be bothered to tell me that you’re applying to a school in the same city as me? Not until the cat’s out the bag and everyone knows? What am I supposed to think, Ryder?”
He rakes a hand through his hair. “Don’t you get it? I want you to follow your dreams. To do what you want to do with your life--not what your parents want, or what Nan wants, or what I want. I didn’t want to take that away from you. If you knew I was thinking about going to Columbia…” He shakes his head.
“Then what? I’m having a hard time following your logic here.”
He sighs, his enormous shoulders seeming to sag. “I didn’t want you to apply just because I’m going to be in New York. Or hell, even worse, not apply because I’m going to be there. I was going to tell you in person. And then the scout shows up at the game tonight, and what was I supposed to do? My mom is freaking out; you’re freaking out.” He throws his hands in the air in frustration. “I’ve totally fucked this up.”
It hits me then, the truth of the situation. He made his decision about Columbia on his own, and he wanted me to be able to do the same. Of course.
Hell, if it hadn’t been for the storm bringing us together like it did, I probably would have turned down NYU rather than risk going off to New York with him, and that’s the truth.
I drop my gaze to the ground and take a deep breath, cursing myself for being such an idiot.
“No, you haven’t,” I say at last, raising my eyes to meet his confused ones.
“Haven’t what?”
“Fucked it up.” I take a tentative step toward him. “I get it now. God, Ryder. Why do you have to be so perfect?”
“Perfect? I’ve been in love with you for so long now, and I’ve never managed to get it right, not once.”
I have to bite my lip to keep from grinning. “News flash--I think you’ve finally got it this time.”
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