Grass (Arbai, #1)

by Sheri S. Tepper

“Yes. He will be all right. He’s like you. When things get very difficult, he thinks of dying from time to time, but he’s too curious about what may happen next.”

“Arbai disease?” “Terminal conscientiousness,” he replied, his brow furrowed. “Scrupulousness of the kind that creates conditions making poverty and illness inevitable, then congratulates itself over feeding the poor and caring for the sick. Those are my words, not hers, and I may have it wrong….”