Naomi Alderman

back-handed praise

tang and crackle

Babies left alone too long do not even cry. They become very still and quiet. They know no one is coming.

One of them says, ‘Why did they do it, Nina and Darrell?’
And the other answers, ‘Because they could.’
That is the only answer there ever is.

These things are happening all at once. These things are one thing. They are the inevitable result of all that went before. The power seeks its outlet. These things have happened before; they will happen again. These things are always happening.

Simple feels safe.

When does power exist? Only in the moment it is exercised.

Our dreams are more true than our waking.