Allen Roberts > Recent Status Updates

“Inside the man of power, there is often a child drawing the borders of a kingdom in the dust.” p. 105

Rushdie’s just too good.

Superb read so far. An intriguing story, and the author’s style is masterful—poetic while remaining economical.

Amazing, just amazing. Loving this one.

“I’ve had many chances to confirm that there is no one more dangerous than a humiliated man.” p. 13

“Art always reaches its peak where it becomes the life interest of a people.” p. 31

Barely into this, but it’s already so good.

Rushdie is such an amazing storyteller—so far, so good!

“It is the destiny of heroes to ruin themselves, either by conquering countries which they suddenly lose, or subduing nations which they are themselves obliged to destroy; like that madman who spent his substance in purchasing statues which he threw into the sea…” p. 320

“It would seem… as if the heads of the greatest men grow narrow when they are brought together, and that where wise men most do congregate, there you have least wisdom.” p. 289

“If he was indeed an ‘autodidact,’ there’s no doubt he had the world’s shittiest teacher.” pp. 262-263

Mmmmm… now this is good satire! Review forthcoming ASAP.

“We are not gods, we cannot ascend
to heaven. No, we are mortal men.
Only the gods live forever. Our days
are few in number, and whatever we achieve
is a puff of wind. Why be afraid then,
since sooner or later death must come?”
p. 93

“That’s the problem with history, we like to think it’s a book—that we can turn the page and move the fuck on. But history is not the paper it’s printed on. It’s memory, and memory is time, emotions, and song. History is the things that stay with you.” p. 123

“The man who would have me change my religion does so doubtless because he would never change his own, no matter what force was brought to bear upon him: yet he thinks it strange that I should refuse to do a thing he would not do himself for the empire of the whole world!” p. 236

Already working on the review for this one… 😆

This author’s got guts, I’m telling you. Wow.🤯