Books matching: absurd family dynamics
34 result(s)
'The Village of Stepanchikovo' by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a comedic novel revolving around a household controlled by an impudent schemer named Foma Fomich, who manipulates the weak and credulous uncle of the estate owner. The story showcases psychological blackmail, absurd family dynamics, and a cast of eccentric characters engaging in chaotic confrontations, all woven together with sustained humor and lighthearted family drama.
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Save:'The End of October' by Lawrence Wright is a gripping thriller that explores the outbreak of a deadly pandemic that starts in Indonesia and spreads worldwide. The plot follows epidemiologist Henry Parsons as he races against time to find a cure while countries shut down and chaos ensues. The book is described as intense, uncanny, and eerily prescient, with parallels to real-life events such as the Covid-19 pandemic. The writing style is fast-paced, suspenseful, and well-researched, incorporating details about viruses, pandemics, and the heroic efforts to combat them.
The narrative delves into the complexities of a global crisis, touching on themes of political intrigue, conspiracy theories, and the fragility of society in the face of a catastrophic event. The book keeps readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns, while also providing a thought-provoking exploration of the potential consequences of a widespread pandemic. Overall, 'The End of October' offers a dark and gripping portrayal of a world grappling with a devastating outbreak, drawing readers into a thrilling and unsettling story.
In a large auditorium in Geneva, a parliament of health officials gathered for the final afternoon session on emergency infectious diseases. The audience was restless, worn out by the day-long meeting... - #3
Save:The play 'Arsenic and Old Lace' by Joseph Kesselring is a dark comedy farce that revolves around the eccentric Brewster family living in Brooklyn. The Brewster sisters, Abby and Martha, appear to be sweet old ladies who engage in acts of charity, but in reality, they are mercy killers who poison lonely old men. Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic, discovers his aunts' secret and must navigate the madness within his family, including his delusional nephew Teddy who believes he is Theodore Roosevelt, and his sinister brother Jonathan, a serial killer with a grudge against Mortimer. The play unfolds with a mix of humor, mystery, and absurdity, culminating in a clash of logic versus lunacy.
'Arsenic and Old Lace' is a self-aware play that combines murder mystery clichés with soap opera twists in a theatrical satire format. The fast-paced and frenzied plot, filled with gallows humor and historical references, keeps the audience engaged. The play's burlesque style, lovable yet maniacal characters, and mix of comedy genres, from slapstick to sarcasm, promise a show peppered with humor, satire, and light-hearted bewilderment.
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Save:Florida Man by Tom Cooper is a darkly humorous novel that delves into the mythos of the crazy stories surrounding the infamous "Florida man." The story follows Reed Crowe, a beach bum turned entrepreneur who builds a seedy motel, a rundown zoo, and an amusement park on Emerald Island using money from selling drugs. However, his world is disrupted when a vengeful Cuban gangster, Catface, seeks revenge on Reed for past events involving a plane crash filled with drugs. The plot meanders through a picaresque assortment of incidents involving Floridian rednecks, Cuban refugees, and American Indians, filled with elements of sex, drugs, violence, and theft.
Tom Cooper's writing style in Florida Man is likened to a mix of John D. McDonald, Elmore Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, Dave Berry, and Sebastian Junger, with a complete command of the English language creating a smooth and spellbinding narrative. The novel is described as original, beautifully written, and capable of making readers both laugh out loud and break their hearts.
'Holidays on Ice: Featuring Six New Stories' by author David Sedaris is a collection of humorous and satirical essays centered around the holiday season. The book includes stories such as 'Season's Greetings to our Friends and Family,' 'Dinah the Christmas Whore,' and 'SantaLand Diaries,' where Sedaris shares his experiences working as a Macy's Christmas elf. The writing style is described as funny, witty, and cool, with a mix of sentimental and twisted tales that provide a different perspective on the holiday season.
The book captures Sedaris's off-kilter storytelling style, blending autobiographical elements with fictional accounts that range from laugh-out-loud funny to cringeworthy. Readers appreciate the humor and honesty in the stories, particularly enjoying Sedaris's unique take on holiday traditions and family dynamics. Despite some unevenness in the collection, the majority of readers find the book entertaining and a good read for those looking for a different kind of holiday-themed book.
I was in a coffee shop looking through the want ads when I read, “Macy’s Herald Square, the largest store in the world, has big opportunities for outgoing, fun-loving people of all shapes and sizes wh...- #6
Save:The Dead Father by Donald Barthelme is a strange and surreal novel that takes readers on a journey through a dreamscape land of mythology and unconscious desires. The story revolves around the Dead Father, a once godlike creature reduced to impotent acts of meaningless violence as his followers drag him across the land on a final quest. Barthelme uses a variety of stylistic tricks to examine and satirize the myth of fatherhood, creating a narrative that is often tough going but with flashes of brilliance. The book lacks a traditional plot or character development, focusing more on bizarre and humorous elements that challenge readers' expectations.
The Dead Father is described as a funny and curious little novel that is worth the attention of readers familiar with Barthelme's unique fictional world. Despite its lack of traditional storytelling elements, the book offers moments of humor, wordplay, and wacky sentence structures that can elicit smiles from readers. While the writing showcases Barthelme's talent and skill, some readers find the book lacking in compelling narrative and descriptive writing, ultimately leaving them bored with the lack of fully fleshed characters and plot.
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Save:Flushboy by Stephen Graham Jones is a coming-of-age novel that follows a 16-year-old boy working at his dad's drive-through urinal, The Bladder Hut. The story delves into various teen issues, including parents' divorce, relationships, and self-discovery, all while maintaining a comedic and absurd tone. The writing style is a mix of humor, grossness, and sincerity, creating a unique and engaging narrative that explores the absurdity of teen life through the lens of a peculiar family business.
I come on at four, right after school, and tie my apron and lower my hairnet and get my goggles in place before rolling the gloves on. By the end of the night the pads of my fingers will be pruned fro... - #8
Save:May We Be Forgiven by A.M. Homes is a darkly comic novel that explores the complexities of family dynamics and personal transformation. The story follows Harold Silver, a historian and Nixon scholar, whose life takes a drastic turn when his brother George is involved in a violent incident. As Harold navigates through a series of bizarre and often far-fetched situations, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and redemption, ultimately leading to the formation of a new kind of American family.
The book is characterized by its fast-paced plot filled with dark humor, unexpected twists, and a diverse cast of characters. A.M. Homes weaves together themes of love, loss, redemption, and the search for meaning in a modern world, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
The warning sign: last year, Thanksgiving at their house. Twenty or thirty people were at tables spreading from the dining room into the living room and stopping abruptly at the piano bench. He was at... - #9
Save:'Hunts in Dreams' by Tom Drury revolves around a family of four over the course of four days, each member on a personal quest. Charles is searching for his lost youth and a gun from his stepfather, while Joan seeks answers about her life and marriage. Their son Micah is trying to make sense of the world, and Lyris, their teenage daughter, returns to the family trying to understand their suburban life. The story is told with Drury's deadpan humor, observing the ridiculousness of life without commentary, highlighting the strangeness of the American society in a humorous way.
The novel captures the essence of 'ordinary' people and places, exploring the deep and mysterious aspects of the world through the characters' experiences. It combines warmth, delightful sensibility, brilliant dialogue, and a quirky humor that permeates the story, making it a highly recommended read for those who appreciate Tom Drury's unique storytelling style.
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Save:'JPod' by Douglas Coupland is a quirky and humorous novel that follows the lives of characters working in a game development company. The story delves into the everyday life of the protagonist, Ethan, his interactions with his colleagues, his eccentric family, and a range of unusual situations he finds himself in. The writing style of the book is described as witty, brilliant, and technically savvy, with a loose and unconcerned tone that makes it an enjoyable and light read.
Through a rare and cheerful accident of freeway planning, I can get from the campus to my parents’ place by making two leftturns and two right turns, even though they live 17.4 miles away in the gloom...
