dennis scharnberg

Hedonism nominates the self as the main thing—as the receptacle.

Lajos Munczi, Casting Shadows.

“The world must vibrate in a state of uncertainty.”  Todd could not remember the source of the quotation.  Was it Helena Blavatsky, or was it one of the physicists?

Giles Coxe-Coburn, Tooth and Claw.

No need to topple shrines.  Merely enshrine mediocrity.  Same result.

Winston Joyce, Bovine Egalitarianism and Other Essays.

“No, Edmund.  Not at all!  To be a fish out of water, you first must be a fish.  A being within the water.  Yes or no?”

Mark Anthony, The Tale of the Mirror.

The note presented a single sentence.  A nebulous instruction:  “What you have done before do once again.”

Rubina Malcolm, The Black Box.

Janet became obsessed with the notion—the fear—that someone somewhere might not be happy.  Someone far far away.  Anyone.

Stephanie Biggers, Cat Farming in Nigeria.

Empathy is an important part of mental life.  But dwelling at empathy is a mental disorder.

Enos Slaughter, Speaking Out of the Ground.

Seated in a gleaming white cubicle.  Hovering over a radiant monitor.  Clickety-clickety-clack.  Now how could that fail to sustain life?

James Timothy, Deviation From Linearity.

“Who isn’t a novelist?  A show of hands, please.”  Jack was toying with his audience.  Of course.  But he did really want to know.

Val Destrie, Skipping the World.

The journalists are all leftists because that’s the only kind of person who can stand to do the job.  And what is the job?  It is indoctrination.

Tyrone Sommer, Circling the Drain.