How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I wondered whether, after all these years, there was anyone still living there, or, more precisely, if the Hempstocks were still living there. It seemed unlikely, but then, from what little I remembered, they had been unlikely people. (Prologue. 14)
"Unlikely people" seems like one heck of an understatement. Sure his memory has been tampered with, but he has to wonder why he'd think Gran, who was already ancient when he knew her, would still be kicking around picking daffodils and milking cows.
Quote #2
I wondered why they were all called Hempstock, those women, but I did not ask, any more than I dared to ask how they knew about the suicide note or what the opal miner had thought as he died. They were perfectly matter-of-fact about it. (2.75)
The Hempstock's matter-of-fact treatment of the supernatural makes it seem more realistic, doesn't it? The genre of magical realism (to which this book certainly belongs) treats things that are fantastical and surreal as things that could happen everyday and aren't worth batting an eye over. It's pretty cool to be nonchalant about supernatural occurrences.
Quote #3
"Someone's just trying to give people money, that's all. But it's doing it very badly, and it's stirring things up around here that should be asleep. And that's not good." (3.47)
Stirring things up that should be asleep is never good—for reference, try waking someone up at 6:00AM on a Saturday. Unpleasantness ensues. Now add the fact that this thing is something not of this world and we've got a problem on our hands.