“The only thing worth writing about is people. People. Human beings. Men and women whose individuality must be created, line by line, insight by insight. If you do not do it, the story is a failure. […] There is no nobler chore in the universe than holding up the mirror of reality and turning it slightly, so we have a new and different perception of the commonplace, the everyday, the ‘normal’, the obvious. People are reflected in the glass. The fantasy situation into which you thrust them is the mirror itself. And what we are shown should illuminate and alter our perception of the world around us. Failing that, you have failed totally.”
― Harlan Ellison
29 June 2018 at 00:10
I met Harlan twice. Once at a Science Fiction Bookstore (late 70’s) and at the Comicon back in 1983, both times in NYC. He was annoyed that I asked him to sign my copy of ‘Ellison Wonderland’ because it was the original paperback copy and he had always hated the cover of that edition. It was the one with him sitting on the mushroom.
He did sign it though. 🙂
I wasn’t a fan of his politics, but there was no way I could dislike anybody as sarcastic, cynical, witty or as funny as he could be.
As for his writing, there’s nobody around today who will be able to replace him.
R.I.P.
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