How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The next night at dinner, Mom announces that Grandma Sweetwine joined her for a ride in the car that afternoon with a message for Jude and me. Only, Grandma's dead. (1.47-1.48)
Um, okay. Nice intro to the Sweetfine fam. This is an early hint of the beyond-the-grave influence of Grams. In what ways does the ghost of Grandma Sweetwine influence Jude's behavior?
Quote #2
Then she took out her "bible"—an enormous leather-bound book stuffed with bats*** ideas (aka: hogwash)—and started to preach the gospel. Mostly to Jude. (1.73)
We're treated to many verses from Grandma Sweetwine's bible over the course of the book. There are some real doozies. Which Noah seems to see, but Jude is more into Grandma's version of the bible.
Quote #3
What's weird is that she looks like she's in a windstorm all of a sudden. Her hair's blowing and her dress is slightly billowing. I check under the table to see if there's a vent or something, but there isn't. (1.146)
Noah thinks his mother is a little bit magic. Cute?
Quote #4
"Doesn't anyone else have a dead mother angry enough at them to rise from the grave and break their artwork?" (2.29)
At first, Jude thinks that her mother's ghost is breaking her sculptures because she's angry. It may not be the logic you learned in class, but that's why it's in the Supernatural section. What makes Jude eventually change her mind?
Quote #5
She's like my conscience or something. That's what the counselor at school said anyway about Grandma's and Mom's ghosts…. (2.227)
Sounds plausible, right? Grandma Sweetwine does seem to have a knack for telling Jude what she already knows deep down.
Quote #6
"A Ouija Board," she says. "Found it in Grandma's room. She and I did it once. We can ask it stuff and it gets the answers." (3.160)
So here's the thing, Shmoopers. All the Ouija Board's answers turned out to be legit. That's just how things work in the Sweetwine universe.
Quote #7
She smiles, touches my arm. "Don't be sad." She says it so warmly, it makes the air change color. "It came right through the wall last night." (3.576)
We've heard that twins are a little bit magic. Noah and Jude have an interesting telepathy thing going on. Not to mention the ability to see air changing color and sense things coming through the wall.
Quote #8
"Prophesized?" I say. Is this the Information? It must be. "By whom?" "My mum. On her deathbed. Her very last words were about you." (4.510-4.511)
Strange supernatural happenings aren't just a thing in the Sweetwine family. Oscar thinks his mom predicted the future—specifically, his future meeting with Jude. Do these magical moms teach classes or something?
Quote #9
Mom used to say when you look at art, it's half seeing, half dreaming. Same with ghosts, maybe. (4.630)
Jude allows for the possibility that the ghost of Grandma Sweetwine is in her imagination, but she never settles the question.
Quote #10
Who knows if Grandma really thought the first daffodils of spring were lucky or if she just wanted to go on walks with me through the woods? Who knows if she even believed in her bible at all or if she just preferred a world where hope and creativity and faith trump reason? (8.240)
At the end of the book, Jude gives up on trying to figure out the supernatural world. She "embraces the mystery," to borrow a phrase from her mother. It's still weird, but possibly more livable than trying to figure out what's true or false all the time. Let the transformations continue.