1930s Berlin Quotes

“I intend to marry her,” he said, without turning around.
“Not if I have any say in it.”
“What makes you think she will listen to you? You have nothing to offer her. I have enough funds to provide for a wife and family. I could take her to Italy, to Venice. She could perform with the best musicians in the world.”
“You are not marrying her.”
“How are you going to stop me?”
“You will have to walk over my corpse.

--Farewell My Life, Buona Notte Vita Mia”
― Cynthia Sally Haggard, Farewell My Life: Buona Notte Vita Mia

“I wonder,” said Angelina, sitting on the loveseat next to Violet, “if he is mentally fragile.”
“What do you mean?” said Violet.
“He fought in the war,” replied Angelina. “He might fall apart, fly off the handle, go off the rails…”
― Cynthia Sally Haggard, Farewell My Life: Buona Notte Vita Mia

“What would happen if he returned and asked permission to be Grace’s suitor? Well, she would not stand for it. Per l’amor di Dio, for the love of God, Grace was only seventeen, and it was the height of rudeness to abandon the mother for the daughter. If he did return, she would see that he was sent away.
--Farewell My Life: Buona Notte Vita Mia”
― Cynthia Sally Haggard, Farewell My Life: Buona Notte Vita Mia

“He wasn’t quite what you’d hoped for, was he, Mother dear?” remarked Violet.
“I was trying to help you,” said Angelina, her cheeks warming.
Violet folded her arms and gave her a look.
“I’m never going to invite him again.” Angelina weaved unsteadily on her high heels as she made her way towards the stairs and the privacy of her dingy room.
“You won’t have to,” replied Violet. “He’ll be back.
--Farewell My Life: Buona Notte Vita Mia”
― Cynthia Sally Haggard, Farewell My Life: Buona Notte Vita Mia

“A sudden change took place. From lying back in her seat wreathed in her own thoughts, which often gave her an otherworldly quality, Grace actually raised her head, and looked straight at him for the first time.
--Farewell My Life: Buona Notte Vita Mia”
― Cynthia Sally Haggard, Farewell My Life: Buona Notte Vita Mia