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Literature for me… tries to heal the harm done by stories. (How much harm? Most of the atrocities of history have been created by stories, e.g., the Jews killed Jesus.) I follow Sartre that the freedom the author claims for herself must be shared with the reader. So that would mean that literature is stories that put themselves at the disposal of readers who want to heal themselves. Their healing power lies in their honesty, the freshness of their vision, the new and unexpected things they show, the increase in power and responsibility they give the reader. .Geoff Ryman
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Milena's eyes seemed to go hot and heavy. Praise made her heartsick; she was so unused to it, and needed it so badly.Geoff Ryman
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You always use that word "remember", ' said Milena. 'You say, "remember, team". You never tell us to think.Geoff Ryman
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Milena found Cilia outside, holding her bamboo box. Milena hugged her. ‘I’m sorry about your shins, ’ she said. Milena lifted the lid of the box, and saw it, the precious paper, ruled in staves. People were generous. Milena had never believed that.Geoff Ryman