Skip to content

Chewing gum Quote by Barry Eisler

“When I was about a meter away and beyond the range of his peripheral vision, I took a deep step in, dropped into a squat just behind him, and wrapped my arms tourniquet-tight around his legs just above the knees. I felt his body go rigid, heard him suck in a breath. In my adrenalized, slow-motion…” quote by Barry Eisler
Download Open image
““When I was about a meter away and beyond the range of his peripheral vision, I took a deep step in, dropped into a squat just behind him, and wrapped my arms tourniquet-tight around his legs just above the knees. I felt his body go rigid, heard him suck in a breath. In my adrenalized, slow-motion vision, I logged every detail: the height of the guardrail; rust marks on the metal; chewing gum ground black into the cement tiles from which his feet were about to suddenly levitate. I brought my hips in and exploded up and out. He shrieked, a high, atavistic sound of sheer animal panic, and I felt a spasm of terror rip through his body as I launched him into the air over the railing. The cigarette tumbled out of his mouth. His limbs swam crazily, uselessly, against the air around him. Then he was gone, below my field of vision. The wild shriek continued, cut off a second later by the sound of a resounding, dull thud twenty feet below. Tires screeched. Another thud. Crunching sounds. More screeching tires. Then silence.””

Barry Eisler

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Killing Game, Barry Eisler, 2012

A tense, violent confrontation is described in vivid detail, emphasizing the physical and psychological intensity of a lethal encounter.

In simple terms: A brutal fight is narrated with graphic detail.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the adrenaline surge in high‑risk moments.

Themes

conflict violence adrenaline survival psychology

Mood

intense gritty dark

Type

narrative descriptive

When to use this quote

  • self‑defense
  • law enforcement
  • emergency response
  • combat training

Key Concepts

Combat dynamics human instinct sensory overload

Questions to Reflect On

  • What drives a person to act with such ferocity?
  • How does adrenaline alter perception?
A Different Perspective

The description may glorify violence and overlook moral consequences.

4.2 out of 5 (9 ratings)

More by Barry Eisler

Explore all 305 Barry Eisler quotes

More Chewing gum quotes

Browse all 135 Chewing gum quotes