In fact, it's become politically important to offend people, because we have to fight back against this notion that being offensive should… — Lionel Shriver Deserve Copy Share Image
“One of us could always get pancreatic cancer,” you said pleasantly.” — Lionel Shriver Cancer Copy Share Image
I guess I understand a public intellectual to be somebody who moves public discourse forward: someone who either says something new or… — Lionel Shriver Forward Copy Share Image
As individuals are best off believing they control their behaviour, the judiciary is best off imputing that control - barring powerful extenuating… — Lionel Shriver Best Copy Share Image
Reading time is precious. Don't waste it. Reading bad books, or books that are wrong for a certain time in your life,… — Lionel Shriver Books Copy Share Image
“So when I said I'd miss him, I meant I would miss what we had not experienced, and I don't know what… — Lionel Shriver Nostalgia Copy Share Image
Besides, I'd heard too many Karen Carpenter tales at Gladstone PTA meetings, and they often took the form of boasts. The prestigious… — Lionel Shriver Anorexia Copy Share Image
Worse, the deadly accuracy of filial faultfinding is facilitated by access, by trust, by willing disclosure, and so constitutes a double betrayal. — Lionel Shriver Access Copy Share Image
“Children live in the same world we do.To kid ourselves that we can shelter them from it isn't just naive, it's a… — Lionel Shriver Children Copy Share Image
In economics, 'competitiveness' does not describe Barack Obama's insistence on not only being president of the U.S. but also beating his staff… — Lionel Shriver Being Copy Share Image
Novelists are too often assumed to write veiled autobiography. — Lionel Shriver Autobiography Copy Share Image
“This was food without you. Our loft, rich with the international booty of baskets and carvings, took on the tacky, cluttered aspect… — Lionel Shriver Jump rope Copy Share Image
You can call it innocence, or you can call it gullibility, but Celia made the most common mistake of the good-hearted: she… — Lionel Shriver Celia Copy Share Image
It's always the mother's fault, ain't it?" she said softly, collecting her coat. "That boy turn out bad cause his mama a… — Lionel Shriver After school Copy Share Image
In a country that doesn't discriminate between fame and infamy, the latter presents itself as plainly more achievable. — Lionel Shriver Country Copy Share Image
Now that children don't till your fields or take you in when you're incontinent, there is no sensible reason to have them,… — Lionel Shriver Advent Copy Share Image
I was mortified by the prospect of becoming hopelessly trapped in someone else's story. — Lionel Shriver Becoming Copy Share Image
“Cynics are spoiled romantics. They are always the ones who had the highest expectations at the start. They were once so naïve… — Lionel Shriver Acquired taste Copy Share Image
I thought at the time that I couldn't be horrified anymore, or wounded. I suppose that's a common conceit, that you've already… — Lionel Shriver Common Copy Share Image
I realize it's commonplace for parents to say to their child sternly, 'I love you, but I don't always like you.' But… — Lionel Shriver Arms Copy Share Image
“So sturdy and solid, so wide, so thick, none of that delicate wristy business of my imaginings. Built like an oak tree,… — Lionel Shriver Business Copy Share Image
But indifference would ultimately commend itself as a devastating weapon. — Lionel Shriver Indifference Copy Share Image
Now, bitterly, with one sweep of the front door, the compassion was spent. To the degree that Lawrence's face was familiar, it… — Lionel Shriver Bangs Copy Share Image
