Alexandra Ripley

Charlestonians had a particularly vicious and cunning game, developed after the War. They treated outsiders with so much graciousness and consideration that their politeness became a weapon. 'Visitors end up feeling as if they're wearing shoes for the first time in their lives. It's said that only the strongest ever recover from the experience. The Chinese never developed a torture to match it, although they're a very subtle people.

Scarlett O'Hara did the most courageous thing she had ever been called on to do. She faced up to failure.

Should-haves solve nothing. It's the next thing to happen that needs thinking about.

Something happens to people when they're masked. They become too free, uncivilized. They may do anything.

To anyone with a drop of Irish blood in them the land they live on is like their mother. It's the only thing that lasts, that's worth working for, for fighting for...

How could a man know the truth of his own soul?