They are. But in Special Circumstances we deal in the moral equivalent of black holes, where the normal laws — the rules of right and wrong that peop… - Iain Banks

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Engraved portrait of Iain Banks, facing right

They are. But in Special Circumstances we deal in the moral equivalent of black holes, where the normal laws — the rules of right and wrong that people imagine apply everywhere else in the universe — break down; beyond those metaphysical event horizons, there exist . . . special circumstances.” She smiled. “That’s us. That’s our territory; our domain.” “To some people,” he said, “that might sound like just a good excuse for bad behavior.

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About Iain Banks

Iain Menzies Banks (February 16, 1954 – June 9, 2013), officially Iain Banks, was a Scottish writer. As Iain M. Banks he wrote science fiction; as Iain Banks he wrote literary fiction.

Biography information from Wikiquote · Portrait adapted from Wikimedia Commons, Pasi Välkkynen (CC BY-SA)

Also Known As

Pen Names: Iain M. Banks
Alternative Names: Iain Menzies Banks

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Put plainly, I am not at liberty to divulge that information. There, it is said. Let us quickly move on from this unfortunate quantum of dissonance to the ground-state of accord which I trust will inform our future relationship."
"So you're not going to tell me." Sharrow nodded.
"My dear lady," the machine said, continuing to trundle after her. "Without saying so in so many words...correct.

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