Vinay Kumaran

“In the first century after the Big Mistake”
― Dan Simmons, Hyperion

“Her feeling was rather that, given the nature of the human couple, the love of man and woman is a priori inferior to that which can exist (at least in the best instances) in the love between man and dog, that oddity of human history probably unplanned by the Creator. It is a completely selfless love: Tereza did not want anything of Karenin; she did not ever ask him to love her back. Nor had she ever asked herself the questions that plague human couples: Does he love me? Does he love anyone more than me? Does he love me more than I love him? Perhaps all the questions we ask of love, to measure, test, probe, and save it, have the additional effect of cutting it short.”
― Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being

“He was immediately seconded by several other Frenchmen. The interpreter was frightened and did not dare translate what they said. So the twenty Americans on the podium looked on once more with smiles full of good will, many nodding agreement. One of them even lifted his fist in the air because he knew Europeans liked to raise their fists in times of collective euphoria.”
― Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being

“There were two types of ads. Some were from parents eager to offer a shedload of merits to marry off their children up-color, such as this one: 21-yr female (R: 32.2%, Y: 12%), strong virtues. Handsome and helpful, with impressive feedback rating. Seeks Chromogentsia-plus family. Brings 4,125 merits and 47 sheep. Delivery negotiable, option to refuse retained. Viewing at Ochre-in-the-Vale, PO6 5AD. On the other side of the coin were parents willing to trade down-Spectrum in order to receive a shedload of merits, like this dodgy chap:”
― Jasper Fforde, Shades of Grey