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Quote by Alan Hollinghurst

“There is a thumping silence, and the light of the one lamp across the wet tiled floor seems conscious that it will illuminate this and many other atrocities, just as it will go on shining through days and months of sudden speechless lusts, and all the intervening hours of silent emptiness.”

Book:The Swimming-Pool Library

Work

The Swimming-Pool Library

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Author

Alan Hollinghurst

Alan Hollinghurst, born on May 26, 1954, is a renowned British novelist known for his intricate psychological portrayals and profound insights into the social changes of his time. His works, particularly focusing on the lives of gay men, have earned him critical acclaim. His notable works include 'The Swimming-Pool Library' and 'The Line of Beauty', both of which won the Booker Prize. more

“[To admit that college isn't for everyone] may sound élitist. It may even sound philistine, since the purpose of a liberal-arts education is to produce well-rounded citizens rather than productive workers. But perhaps it is more foolishly élitist to think that going to school until age 22 is necessary to being well-rounded, or to tell millions of young adults that their futures depend on performing a task that only a minority of them can actually accomplish. It is absurd that people have to get college degrees to be considered for good jobs in hotel management or accounting — or journalism. It is inefficient, both because it wastes a lot of money and because it locks people who would have done good work out of some jobs. The tight connection between college degrees and economic success may be a nearly unquestioned part of our social order. Future generations may look back and shudder at the cruelty of it.”

Jobs Science Money Education Knowledge Economy College Journalism Hotel Modernity Accounting Education Reform Degree Atrocity

Author:Ramesh Ponnuru

“In all bluefolk the immune system is quite advanced. A large number of relevant genes seem to be imported from the crocodile: those creatures live in stagnant, muddy water in much warmer climates, where they are exposed to many diseases and parasites. Wrestling with prey or each other, they may be wounded, but the dirty swamp water in the cut is mostly harmless. It was a very important acquisition by the Auravelus; it meant that virtually none of the old bioweapons were effective against them. More ordinary bluefolk could still suffer under a few recipes, but often no more than a rash. Chemical weapons had to be used instead. Infection or contamination through wounds was largely useless; our Asian friends determined that inhalation was a more viable route. Concoctions made against the lungs, as aerosols, were the most successful”

War Science Torture Eugenics War Crimes Genetic Engineering Atrocity Biopunk Human Experimentation

Book:Terra Incognita

Source: Terra Incognita

“Land, sea and air news from everywhere bring tales of incredible human valour which we all discuss briefly and then, as more news pours in, get forgotten. New inventions for destruction keep being produced – each more terrible than the last. We did not start this war but now we have to win it. Our target is peace on earth but we must do most ghastly things to achieve this. We are rightly proud of our efforts but, when we get time to think – which is not very often – we are appalled by the misery and suffering we must receive and inflict. Now I can understand why my Mother so often said – after World War I – ‘I can never, ever, forgive the Germans.’ Now, once again, we have all become murderers – in one way or another.”

War Murder Atrocity

Book:To War With Whitaker

Source: To War With Whitaker

“It was teeth and talons and fire and mustard gas, it was ghosts scorched into Hiroshima streets, showerheads pouring poison into tiled rooms, and a grasp that twined itself around his own bones, a tongue that licked for marrow in his own spine, and a hunger he could feel in his own stomach.”