What a powerful simile, conveying something inward-turning and dangerous through its vivid portrayal of cranial size as a small, corroded bullet. 

His skull was dark and small like a corroded musket bullet. 

For other bullet related metaphors and quotations, see Adam Nicolson’s encounter with a man to be wary of; Thoreau’s idea of speedy awakening and another on the art of effective writing; and Vasily Grossman on bird responses to war. 

See also our bestellar review of this book, with its lavishly illustrated quote-mosaic, packed with fine phrasing and fresh metaphors.  

Source: Mervyn Peake, Titus Groan, introduction by Anthony Burgess (London: Vintage Books, 1998), p. 8

Photo credit: pixel2013 at pixabay.com