How we cite our quotes: Chapter.Paragraph
Quote #1
I contain and compartmentalize to a disturbing degree: In my belly-basement are hundreds of bottles of rage, despair, fear, but you'd never guess from looking at me […] It was my fifth lie to the police. I was just starting. (5.70, 73)
It's no secret that Amy's got major issues, but Nick's not that much better. His talent at burying his emotions—a skill undoubtedly learned from his father—is part of what makes him such a convincing liar. As he'll later admit, he's no match for Amy's art of dishonesty, but his ability to hide his feelings definitely makes him pretty good at it.
Quote #2
"People want to believe they know other people. Parents want to believe they know their kids. Wives want to believe they know their husbands." (13.31)
It's pretty significant that this quote comes from Detective Boney, who not only wants to believe the best about Nick, but comes from a marriage broken by infidelity. Doesn't it also kind of describe us as readers, though? Even with all his faults, we still can't help wanting to believe that Nick didn't kill Amy. Sometimes we can't help but hope for the best in people, even when they're lying straight to our faces.
Quote #3
I'm a big fan of the lie of omission. (17.125)
We've got bad news for you, Mr. Dunne—leaving out details when you talk to the cops still counts as lying. Nick loves to come up with rationalizations and justifications for his lies. In this case, if you don't tell people about something, it never happened. Or, alternatively: Whatever Happens in North Carthage Stays in North Carthage.