How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"It may not seem immediately evident that I would be a man who has a deep understanding of art and I want you to know that I am. The Secretary of Commerce in Russia, what would that be to you? And yet because of my background I feel I am specifically qualified."
Again, Roxane waited to see if there was more of the sentence coming and when there didn't seem to be she asked him, "Qualified to what?"
"To love you," Fyodorov said. "I love you." (7.126-128)
Um, okay. We're guessing you didn't list your art class resume before asking your last crush out on a date. But then, if someone loves art, maybe it makes sense that they'd love the artist who makes it. And maybe an artist like Roxane would be glad to know someone is so moved by whatever she made. Even if "qualified" is more something you'd put on your LinkedIn than in a flirty snapchat.
Quote #8
"And what if there is nothing for me to give you?" She [Roxane] seemed to be interested in Fyodorov's argument.
He [Fyodorov] shook his head. "What a thing to say, after all that you have given to me. But it is never about who has given what. That is not the way to think of gifts. This is not business we are conducting. Would I be pleased if you were to say you loved me as well? That what you wanted was to come to Russia and live with the Secretary of Commerce, attend state dinners, drink your coffee in my bed? A beautiful thought, surely, but my wife would not be pleased. When you think of love you think as an American. You must think like a Russian. It is a more expansive view." (7.149-150)
Fyodorov has a kind of love for Roxane that doesn't want anything back. He wants to admire her for her talents, and he doesn't want anything except to tell her about it. It's probably no accident that Fyodorov is a great appreciator of art and someone who knows how to love this way. After all, a painting can't kiss you back, but that hasn't stopped Fyodorov from loving art.
Quote #9
It was too much work to remember things you might not have again, and so one by one they opened up their hands and them let go. Except for Messner, whose job it was to remember. And Simon Thibault, who even in his sleep thought of nothing but his wife. (10.94)
For lots of the people in this book, being plunged into a strange new world makes them forget their old lives and discover new wonder and affection. But for Thibault, love keeps him from vanishing into the forgetful world of the hostage crisis. He still has a link to the rest of the world, and a strong one. That's proof that you don't have to get kidnapped far from home to find love. Nice to know, huh?