AQA book summaries

“The tell-tale heart beat on.”

From Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart,' the narrator's guilt manifests as the imagined heartbeat of the murdered old man, driving him to confess.

“It was the last time I saw her.”

From Ernest Hemingway's 'The End of Something,' Nick reflects on the end of his relationship with Marjorie, capturing the finality of their parting.

“The room was empty, but the shadows were there.”

From H.G. Wells's 'The Red Room,' the narrator describes the haunting presence of fear in the supposedly haunted room.

“She was a big woman, with a big face, and a big smile.”

From Roald Dahl's 'The Landlady,' the initial description of the seemingly friendly landlady, which contrasts with her sinister nature.

“The world was a place of darkness, and she was a part of it.”

From Penelope Lively's 'The Darkness Out There,' Sandra's realization about the hidden evil in Mrs. Rutter and the world.

“He was a man of few words, but his silence spoke volumes.”

From Alex La Guma's 'The Lemon Orchard,' describing the dignity of the Black man in the face of oppression.