The History Man Quotes

“Why is it that married people always say "Come in" when everything they do says "Get out"? They talk about their miseries and then ask you why you're unmarried.”
― Malcolm Bradbury, The History Man

“Most beds aren't as intimate as people think they are.”
― Malcolm Bradbury, The History Man

“Marriage, [...], the most advanced form of warfare in the modern world.”
― Malcolm Bradbury, The History Man

“There's always something or someone to do.''But don't you ever find it too much work, Howard?' asks Flora, 'All this dressing and undressing, all these undistinguished climaxes, all this chasing for more of the same, is it really, really, worth the effort?''Of course' [...].”
― Malcolm Bradbury, The History Man

“How is it me?' asked Howard.
'Do you know what it says?' asked Barbara, 'it says you're a radical poseur. It tells how you've substituted trends for morals and commitments.'
'You've not read it properly,' said Howard, 'it's a committed book, a political book.'
'But what are you committed to?' asked Barbara, 'Do you remember how you used to say "maturity" all the time? And it never meant anything? Now it's "liberation" and "emancipation". But it doesn't mean any more than the other thing. Because there's nothing in you that really feels or trusts, no character.'
'You're jealous,' said Howard, 'I did something interesting, and you're jealous. Because I didn't even tell you.'
'No character,' said Barbara again, sitting in his chair.”
― Malcolm Bradbury, The History Man