Books matching: absurdity of existence
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The Complete Stories of Leonora Carrington is a collection of surrealistic short stories that read like fairy tales. The stories are atmospheric, eerie, and sublime, filled with fantastic images and bizarre occurrences. Carrington's writing style is described as fantastical, dreamlike, and surreal, evoking a sense of the ominous and absurd. The plots involve strange worlds where animals speak, the unspeakable is eaten, and characters transform into various forms, creating a feast for the imagination.
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Save:Molloy by Samuel Beckett is a novel that delves into the inner monologues of two main characters, Molloy and Moran. Molloy, a homeless wanderer, reflects on his relationships, struggles, and encounters with the authorities, while Moran, a private detective, embarks on a mysterious quest to find Molloy. The book is divided into two parts, with each character narrating their own section, showcasing Beckett's unique writing style that combines existential themes with dark humor and absurdity.
It is midnight. The rain is beating on the windows. I am calm. All is sleeping. Nevertheless I get up and go to my desk. I can’t sleep. My lamp sheds a soft and steady light. I have trimmed it. It wil... - #3
Save:Alfred Jarry's 'Ubu Roi' is a satirical and absurdist play that tells the story of Ubu's rise to power as he leads a revolution, kills the King of Poland, heavily taxes the people, and faces opposition from the nobles and the Tsar of Russia. The play is known for its offensiveness, vulgarity, and deliberate shock value, challenging societal norms and values. The language used in the play is a unique mix of slang, code words, puns, and near gutter vocabulary, set to strange speech patterns, creating a whimsical and nonsensical atmosphere that is both funny and thought-provoking.
SCENE I [Poland — that is to say, nowhere.] PAPA TURD, MAMA TURD PAPA TURD. Pshit ! MAMA TURD. Oh ! that’s a fine thing. What a pig you are, Papa Turd ! PAPA TURD. Watch out I don’t kill you, Mama Tur... - #4
Save:Watt by Samuel Beckett is a surreal and absurdist novel following the story of the titular character, Watt, who mysteriously arrives at the home of a man he will serve. The book is filled with quirky and odd situations, featuring memorably quirky characters and bizarre incidents. Beckett's writing style in Watt is described as elliptical, full of wordplay, and providing insightful yet resolutely depressing moments. The narrative is a mix of conventionally narrated events and digressive, odd tangents, all told in Beckett's trademark effusive and entertaining style.
The novel delves into the mundane aspects of life, elevating them to both comic and symbolic levels. Watt's journey through strange scenarios and his meticulous attention to frivolous details create a darkly comedic and thought-provoking atmosphere. Beckett's work is characterized by its careful crafting, internal rhythm, and the surreal whiff it brings to the story, making Watt a challenging yet rewarding read for those who appreciate literary puzzles and semantic challenges.
Mr Hackett turned the corner and saw, in the failing light, at some little distance, his seat. It seemed to be occupied. This seat, the property very likely of the municipality, or of the public, was ... - #5
Save:"Memoirs Found in a Bathtub" by Stanisław Lem is a Kafkaesque tale set in a post-apocalyptic world where a cataclysmic paper blight has wiped out all existing knowledge. The story follows a nameless protagonist navigating through a massive underground bureaucracy, trying to uncover a mysterious mission while being surrounded by double agents, bureaucratic obstacles, and a sense of paranoia. The writing style involves wordplay, satire, and a circuitous path that leads the reader through a labyrinth of espionage and absurdity, leaving the protagonist and the reader questioning reality and purpose.
. . . I couldn’t seem to find the right room—none of them had the number designated on my pass. First I wound up at the Department of Verification, then the Department of Misinformation, then some cle...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Ijon Tichy ) - #6
Save:"Rhinoceros" by Eugene Ionesco is an absurdist play that explores the theme of conformity versus individuality in a society. The story revolves around people turning into rhinoceri and causing chaos in an urban area. Through humorous and absurd situations, the author delves into the implications of societal pressure, examining how individuals react and conform to the norms around them. The play is set in a small French town, and as characters succumb to fitting in and following a fad, the protagonist, Bérenger, stands as a symbol of resistance against losing his individuality.
The writing style of "Rhinoceros" is described as skillful and adept by readers, permeating with themes that provoke thought and reflection. The play touches on the rise of communism and the assimilation of individuals into societal standards, addressing the confusion and wonder that arise when people abandon their principles to conform. Despite being categorized as part of the Theater of the Absurd, the play is praised for its universal relevance in portraying the pressures individuals face in any society, making it a thought-provoking and engaging read.
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Save:'The Hunting of the Snark' by Lewis Carroll is a whimsical and nonsensical poem that follows a group of characters on an absurd quest to hunt a mythical creature called the Snark. The story is filled with surreal confusion, dark undertones, and magical mystery, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that captures the imagination of readers. Carroll's writing style blends elements of humor, nonsense, and fantasy, making it a delightful read for fans of his work.
The illustrations by various artists, such as Mervyn Peake and Oleg Lipchenko, complement the whimsy of Carroll's verse, adding a visual element that enhances the storytelling. The book is celebrated for its detailed and imaginative illustrations that bring the characters and the world of the Snark to life, making it an engaging and visually captivating experience for readers of all ages.
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Save:Hopscotch by Julio Cortazar is a complex novel that offers multiple reading paths for the reader. The story follows Horacio Oliveira, an Argentine intellectual living in Paris in the 1950s, who becomes involved with a woman named La Maga. Tragic events lead to his return to Argentina, where he navigates guilt and friendships with a married couple. The novel explores themes of love, art, literature, and the fine line between sanity and insanity, all while challenging traditional narrative structures.
WOULD I find La Maga? Most of the time it was just a case of my putting in an appearance, going along the Rue de Seine to the arch leading into the Quai de Conti, and I would see her slender form agai... 'On the Heights of Despair' by Emil M. Cioran is a collection of short essays that delve into themes of existential despair, nihilism, and the futility of human existence. The book presents a youthful Cioran grappling with dark and cathartic philosophies, expressed poetically and with a sense of despair that is both soul-crushing and beautifully composed. The writing style is described as compulsively readable, adorably misanthropic, and lyrical, with a translation that captures the subtle linguistic techniques and maintains the original tone of the native language.
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Save:Adolf in Wonderland by Carlton Mellick III is a surreal and bizarre journey that blends elements of Lewis Carroll and Franz Kafka with a touch of Philip K. Dick influence. The story follows a man who may or may not be Adolf Hitler, on a quest to find the last imperfect man in a nightmarish world filled with mutants and surrealism. The narrative is described as a cross between Kafka and Alice in Wonderland, with a simplistic quality reminiscent of children's literature but written for adults, challenging readers to navigate a world of absurdity and strangeness.
The author's writing style in Adolf in Wonderland is praised for its ability to create vivid and striking imagery without the need for lengthy descriptions, making the reading experience akin to watching a movie. The dialogue is noted for its absurd and humorous nature, with laugh-out-loud moments scattered throughout the narrative. The book is commended for its thought-provoking themes surrounding the pursuit of perfection and the futility of such endeavors, presented in a manner that is both entertaining and introspective.
