Brian Aldiss Quotes

“Science fiction is no more written for scientists that ghost stories are written for ghosts.”

“Keep violence in the mind Where it belongs.”

“Science fiction is for real, space opera is for fun.”

“Science fiction is no more written for scientists than ghost stories are written for ghosts.”

“The fatal error of much science fiction has been to subscribe to an optimism based on the idea that revolution, or a new gimmick, or a bunch of strong men, or an invasion of aliens, or the conquest of other planets, or the annihilation of half the world--in short, pretty nearly anything but the facing up to the integral and irredeemable nature of mankind--can bring about utopian situations. It is the old error of the externalization of evil.”

“We can no longer believe that after death, if we have sinned, we shall enter hell. Hell has been acted out here on Earth in the time of Nazi Germany, when even the innocent went in their millions to a hell that beggars the imagination. A profound change in attitude has come about as a result.”

“It's a funny thing in my job: you remain perpetually lonely in a world where loneliness is the rarest commodity.”

“An overcrowded world is the ideal place in which to be lonely.”

“There are two kinds of writers”

“Not strictly one of mine, but worth repeating! A very forceful old lady in these parts, when referring to the eight novels of the Angel Mountain Saga,was heard to say: "You know them books by that fellow Brian John? If I was you I wouldn't believe a single word. Take it from me. It's lies -- all lies!”