But I think, and hope, that the novels can be understood and enjoyed as science fiction, on their own terms.

Mobs have passions, not brains.

It no longer matters who consider themselves the masters of events. Events no longer obey their masters.

If everyone could understand the working of a psychopath's mind, we undoubtedly would be closer to insanity ourselves.

As for the depiction of the Catholic church, it's not meant to be a prediction

As long as my sixth graders showed an average improvement of five years, the principal and district pretty much left me alone to create my own curriculum and teach whatever I wanted

I know what cancer was. How is it like humankind?" Sek Hardeen's perfectly modulated, softly accented tones showed a hint of agitation. "We have spread out through the galaxy like cancer cells through a living body, Duré. We multiply without thought to the countless life forms that must die or be pushed aside so that we may breed and flourish. We eradicate competing forms of intelligent life.