Here you go, Thomas Jennings, sharing a literary quote: On the steps beyond he halted, threw back his head, and shouted to the city, to Africa, to the world. God damn you for crazy idiots! All of you! Youre not fit to manage your own silly lives! I know youre fools -Ive watched you and wept for you. And...Oh my God! His voice cracked to a breathy moan. I love you! Ive tried not to, and I cant help it. I love you all... - John Brunner, Stand on Zanzibar This quote, from the best character in Brunners epic science fiction novel, the despairing sociologist Chad C. Mulligan, only comes right at the end of the book. And it really sums up both him and the novels own tone of begrudging, affectionate disdain for humanity. Theres no communist or capitalist triumph in Mulligans world: the Cold War dragged on until it becomes meaningless, here a pissing contest between China and America. Theres no belief in anything any more. Its a miserable, hedonistic place, overpopulated and violent. And somehow its just human enough to keep you caring: a little bit, actually, like how things have turned out since Brunner wrote this novel back in the 1960s. Also Im sappy, and its kind of a sappy quote. From a novel about eugenics, of all things. So, Ruby Lucrezia Flanagan Daniel McKee (if youre online ever you bastard), hit em up. RULES: You have 24 hours (but take all the time you need) to share on Facebook a quote or an extract from one of your favourite books. You can choose any book (a classic or a recently published). I advise against choosing cookery books or technical manuals, but your call. can nominate me again (anytime you want). Lets make this game roll.
Posted on: Fri, 11 Apr 2014 19:34:55 +0000
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