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Submarine
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"Submarine" Quotes

A witty and introspective coming-of-age novel chronicling the misadventures of an eccentric Welsh teenager navigating the complexities of love, family, and identity.

Quotes

I wanted to say all these things about how you just have to hold on to the good stuff and let the bad stuff go, but I couldn't. All I said was, 'You're going to be okay.'

Joe Dunthorne

hope

People are always asking you if you're alright. 'Are you alright, Oliver?' 'You look pale, Oliver.' 'You're shaking, Oliver.' 'You've gone very quiet, Oliver.' 'You've got a little tear just there, Oliver.' 'Did you know your nose bleeds when you're asleep, Oliver?'

Joe Dunthorne

concern

I'm going to have to do something about this soon, I thought, or there's going to be a terrible accident. I've got to take control.

Joe Dunthorne

self-control

There are moments when you feel free, but they are rare. You are not free when you are doing something you enjoy. You are free only when you are not doing anything at all, when you are not thinking about anything at all, when you are not even waiting for anything at all.

Joe Dunthorne

freedom

I'm going to be a genius novelist when I grow up, the voice said, and people are going to read my books and say, 'This is great literature.'

Joe Dunthorne

ambition

I think all the stuff I'm going to be remembered for will be my school years. I think that's what I'll be famous for.

Joe Dunthorne

legacy

Adults are always telling you that it's what's on the inside that counts. It's not true. It's what's on the outside that counts. If it wasn't, people would just walk around naked.

Joe Dunthorne

appearances

It's like when you're driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.

Joe Dunthorne

uncertainty

I'm not sure if I'm in love with her or if I want to be her. Maybe she's just a reflection of me in the future.

Joe Dunthorne

identity

I didn't want to die. I just wanted to stop feeling like this.

Joe Dunthorne

despair