Quotes (Spies)

Key quotes from Spies by Michael Frayn

“Everything as it was; and everything has changed”. - change/perception/reality

“In the very marrow of his bones he understands that there’s something not quite right about him and his family, something that doesn’t quite fit (…).’’ – about Stephen’s place in society.

“It was always her. From the very beginning.” – showing how a child’s mind can be distorted.

“It tastes of importance and of being grown up”- maturity/ rites of passage/ loss of innocence

“He was the officer corps in our two-man army”.

“No one could smile like that and have secrets from the world”. (About Auntie Dee)

Auntie Dee's "unguarded smile"

“Lamorna is the correct scientific description of the bobbly texture of her purse and the shininess of its button” - feelings/sexual maturity/senses

“He was the leader and I was the led” - relationship between Stephen and Keith

“Once again all I've done is play the loyal disciple”

“I piece together a world of sorts from the different densities of blackness, and from a few small sounds”.

“You understand that sometimes people find themselves isolated”.

“I think you do understand”.

“You showed her our things”.

“Or is memory being overwritten by hindsight once more?”

“No, wait. I've got that wrong”.

“I see all things I never saw before”.

“There were secrets”.

“I feel the awkward twist of my body as I turn to edge sideways”

“I seem to be trapped between those two smiles”

“....and rested is how she always seemed”.

“He looks straight into my eyes, no longer smiling...”

“Something has changed about the perfume of the air”.