Sorcery Quote by David Mitchell
““One bright dusk, four, five, no, my God, six summers ago, I strolled along a Greenwich avenue of mature chestnuts and mock oranges in a state of grace. Those Regency residences number amount London's Costliest properties, but should you ever inherit one, dear Reader, sell it, don't live in it. Houses like these secrete some dark sorcery that transforms their owners into fruitcakes. One such victim, an ex-chief of Rhodesian polices, had, on the evening in question, written me a check as rotund as himself to edit and print his autobiography. My state of grace was thanks in part to this check, and in part to a 1983 Chablis from the Duruzoi vineyard, a magic potion that dissolves our myriad tragedies into mere misunderstandings.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Cloud Atlas, 2004
The narrator reflects on a privileged, almost magical setting that hides a corrupting influence, suggesting wealth and heritage can be deceptive and harmful.
In simple terms: Wealthy homes can hide dark influences.
Key Takeaway
Beware the allure of inherited luxury.
Themes
wealth
corruption
illusion
inheritance
magic
Mood
reflective
wry
critical
Type
literary
satirical
When to use this quote
- real estate decisions
- personal finance
- creative writing
- historical research
Key Concepts
psychology
social critique
literary satire
Questions to Reflect On
- How does environment shape moral character?
- What responsibilities come with inherited wealth?
A Different Perspective
The whimsical tone may downplay real socioeconomic issues.
![“[T]hink of love as a state of grace: not the means to anything but the alpha and omega, an end in itself.” quote by Gabriel García Márquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a26/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez-116_alpha-and-omega_t-hink-of-love-as-a-state-of-grace-not-t_814244.jpg)
