The irony was quite comprehensively hideous. — Lev Grossman

"The war we are losing is with time."

"“I’m making a serious point.” “Yes, and I am mocking your serious point to show how ludicrous it is.”"

"“Wishes are for children,” Jane Chatwin said. “I grew up.”"

"It was the sound of death, the ultimate irreversible."

"“Well, but why would You create something that had the power to hurt You? Or any of Your creatures? Why don’t You help us? Do You have any idea how much we hurt? How much we suffer?” A stern glance. “I know all things, daughter.” “Well, okay, then know this.” Janet put her hands on her hips. She had struck an unexpected vein of bitterness in herself, and it was running away with her. “We human beings are unhappy all the time. We hate ourselves and we hate each other and sometimes we wish You of Whoever had never created us or this shit-ass world or any other shit-ass world. Do You realize that? So next time You might think about not doing such a half-assed job.”"

"“A Man, a Plan, a Bacchanal: Anomie,” said Peters, grandly."