"“For instance, it is quite clear now that all of the peoples of the earth have not always wished one another well. Indeed we are certain now, are we not, that so many people have wished us ill. They wish us ill. They have always done. They still do.”"
Our Sister Killjoy: or Reflections from a Black-eyed Squint is the debut novel of Ghanaian author Ama Ata Aidoo, first published by Longman in 1977. It has been called "a witty, experimental work whose main point is a stylish dismissal of characteristic attitudes of both the white world and the black middle class." It was described by one reviewer as "a strikingly unusual and pertinent commentary
"“Clearly, she was enjoying herself to see that woman hurt. It was nothing she had desired. Nor did it seem as if she could control it, this inhuman sweet sensation to see another human being squirming. It hit her like a stone, the knowledge that there is pleasure in hurting. A strong three-dimensional pleasure, an exclusive masculine delight that is exhilarating beyond all measure. And this too is Gods gift to man? She wondered.”"
"“But what she also came to know was that someone somewhere would always see in any kind of difference, an excuse to be mean.”"
"“A dog among the masters, the most masterly of the dogs.”"
"“Yes. Work is love made visible.”"
"“From all around the Third World, you hear the same story; rulers asleep to all things at all times - conscious only of riches, which they gather in a coma - intravenously. So that you wouldnt know they were feeding if it was not for the occasional tell-tale trickle somewhere around the mouth. And when they are jolted awake, they stare about them with unseeing eyes, just sleepwalkers in a nightmare.”"
"“One had said, You say you come from Ghaanna? Then we have a lot in common! Sissie didnt know what to do with the statement, uncertain of whether it was a threat or a promise. We had chiefs like you, the Scot went on, who fought one another and all, while the Invader marched in. Sissie thanked her, but also felt strongly that their kinship had better end right there.”"