“They burned this neighbourhood down in the early 1900s to prevent the spread of bubonic plague, and it occurs to me that they should consider doing it again, to purge the blight of well-meaning hipsters desperately trying to paint it… — Lauren Beukes Copy Share Image
“Being her friend was like going to a tropical island for a little fun in the sun, only to be kidnapped by terrorists.” — Lauren Beukes Copy Share Image
“Fear festers in the imagination. It’s not fear’s fault. That’s just the way it’s made. Nightmares breed. Allies become enemies. Subversives are everywhere. Paranoia… — Lauren Beukes Copy Share Image
There are patterns because we try to find them. A desperate attempt at order because we can't face the terror that it might all… — Lauren Beukes Copy Share Image
Shakespeare would have it wrong these days. It's not the world that's the stage - it's social media, where you're trying to put on… — Lauren Beukes Copy Share Image
So are you an inmate or a rubbernecker?" she asks. "Rubbernecker," I answer without hesitation. "You?" "I'm a screw. Or on staff, anyway. Used to be an inmate. Repeat offender. Crimes against my body. Puking sickness followed by heroin, which led to more puking sickness." I'd be surprised at her forthrightness, but that's addicts for you. The twelve steps crack… — Lauren Beukes Copy Share
Being a journalist, being exposed to the world, to social injustice, to intolerance, growing up here, under apartheid, benefitting from that, has all shaped… — Lauren Beukes Copy Share Image
People don't want novelty - they want the reassurance of familiarity. No-one wants to be challenged, no-one wants to have their minds blown. There… — Lauren Beukes Copy Share Image
“You can bury your radical magazines and tear up your sexually perverse sketches and burn your sheets. But how do you erase who you… — Lauren Beukes Copy Share Image
“That's what I thought" he said. "It doesn't change anything, Zinzi". He moved to kiss me, but as I tilted my head up, he pressed the mango against my lips instead. "Idiot" I said, wiping my mouth, mainly to hide my smile. "Adulterer", he grinned. "Unwitting accomplice!" "You weren't so unwitting last night. And besides polygamie is legal in Congo."… — Lauren Beukes Copy Share
“You have to do the cutting yourself, to let out the pain inside. Getting someone else to slice you up is cheating.” — Lauren Beukes Copy Share Image
