Books matching: alienation and loneliness
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- #1
Save:Midnight Cowboy by James Leo Herlihy follows the journey of Joe Buck, a naive and aspiring male prostitute from Houston, as he navigates the harsh realities of New York City. The book delves into Joe's painful backstory, his struggles with loneliness and disillusionment, and his unlikely friendship with the crippled Rico Ratso Rizzo. Through Herlihy's insightful writing, readers are immersed in Joe's world of desperation, alienation, and the quest for connection in a decadent and exploitative society.
Herlihy's narrative weaves a tale of vulnerability and powerlessness, exploring the themes of loneliness, alienation, and the pursuit of the American dream. The book offers a poignant commentary on societal abandonment, manipulation, and the complexities of human relationships, all portrayed through the lens of Joe Buck's tumultuous journey towards self-discovery and acceptance.
'The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner' by Alan Sillitoe is a collection of short stories set in pre and post-World War II British working class society. The title story follows an adolescent boy from a working-class background who is caught up in petty crime and sentenced to a borstal. Allowed to train outside the facility for a long-distance running competition, the story delves into his internal struggles between winning the race and defying the authorities. Other stories in the book portray characters facing loneliness, desperation, and societal inequalities, evoking a sense of anger, alienation, and desolation.
The writing style of Alan Sillitoe in this book is described as gritty, dark, and reminiscent of Dickens in its portrayal of the working class of England. The stories are said to be beautifully crafted, tragic, moving, and thought-provoking, capturing the trauma of wartime, the harsh realities of the class divide, and the struggles of individuals trying to break free from their circumstances.
AS soon as I got to Borstal they made me a long-distance cross-country runner. I suppose they thought I was just the build for it because I was long and skinny for my age (and still am) and in any cas...- #3
Save:'Lanark' by Alasdair Gray is a complex and unique novel that intertwines multiple narratives and genres. It follows the lives of Lanark Duncan Thaw, a man who moves between worlds or dimensions, and the city of Unthank where reality is nebulous and time is ever-changing. The book is a mix of autobiographical bildungsroman and dystopian fantasy, with elements of surrealism and social commentary. Gray's writing style is described as rich in detail, imagery, and allegory, similar to a painting, with a touch of mysticism and thought-provoking themes about society, politics, and religion.
The Elite Café was entered by a staircase from the foyer of a cinema. A landing two thirds of the way up had a door into the cinema itself, but people going to the Elite climbed farther and came to a ... - #4
Save:'I Never Promised You a Rose Garden' by Hannah Green is a novel that delves deep into the portrayal of mental illness, specifically schizophrenia, through the eyes of a young girl named Deborah. The book takes the readers on a journey through Deborah's struggles with her inner world of Yr, her time in a mental hospital, and her gradual progress towards understanding and managing her illness. Greenberg's writing style is described as sensitive, detailed, and thought-provoking, allowing readers to form close bonds with the characters and empathize with the protagonist's challenging experiences.
- #5
Save:Set in contemporary Japan, 'In the Miso Soup' by Ryu Murakami follows the story of Kenji, a sex tourist guide who is hired by an American client named Frank. As Kenji accompanies Frank around the nightlife of Tokyo, suspicions arise about Frank's true intentions, leading to a chilling revelation that changes Kenji's life forever. The book delves into themes of cultural differences, alienation, loneliness, and the dark realities of the modern world, all while exploring the gritty and grimy side of Tokyo.
The narrative of 'In the Miso Soup' is a disturbing yet engaging journey through the demented mind of the characters, particularly focusing on the unconventional relationship between Kenji and Frank. The author, Ryu Murakami, intricately weaves together elements of horror, suspense, and social commentary, providing a searing glance into the dark side of Japanese society and human nature, all within a compact and intense storyline.
As I pronounced these words in English I wondered why we have so many ways of saying the same thing in Japanese. Hard-boiled: Ore no na wa Kenji da. Polite: Watashi wa Kenji to moshimasu. Casual: Boku... - #6
Save:'Bad Behavior' by Mary Gaitskill is a collection of short stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships, particularly focusing on themes of sexuality, power dynamics, and emotional struggles. The stories are set in New York City, portraying a raw and candid exploration of urban life in the late 1980s. Gaitskill's writing style is described as haunting, gripping, and brutally honest, offering a glimpse into the lives of characters dealing with issues such as abusive relationships, unconventional sexual encounters, and challenging personal choices.
JOEY FELT THAT his romance with Daisy might ruin his life, but that didn’t stop him. He liked the idea in fact. It had been a long time since he’d felt his life was in danger of further ruin, and it w... - #7
Save:The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami is a surreal and intricate novel that follows the life of Toru Okada, who embarks on a quest to find his missing cat, only to later face the disappearance of his wife. As the story unfolds, Toru encounters a myriad of strange characters and delves into dreamlike sequences that blur the lines between reality and illusion. The narrative weaves together elements of magical realism, philosophy, human emotions, and war, creating a complex and intriguing storyline that keeps readers engaged throughout the book.
When the phone rang I was in the kitchen, boiling a potful of spaghetti and whistling along with an FM broadcast of the overture to Rossini’s The Thieving Magpie, which has to be the perfect music for... - #8
Save:"The Reader on the 6.27" by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent follows the story of Guylain Vignolles, a man who despises his job of destroying books but finds solace in reading aloud salvaged pages from the pulping machine during his train commute. His life takes a turn when he discovers a USB stick containing diary entries of a young woman named Julie, a lavatory attendant with aspirations of being a writer. Intrigued by her writing, Guylain embarks on a quest to find her, leading to a heartwarming and charming tale of connection through words and the power of storytelling. The book captures the drudgery of daily life, the importance of literature, and the beauty of human connections in a quirky and delightful manner.
The narrative of "The Reader on the 6.27" is described as fluid, real, and colorful, with a touch of suspense that keeps readers engaged. The characters, including Guylain and Julie, are portrayed as relatable and engaging, with their experiences blending the bizarre and believable aspects of life. The book's writing style is praised for its descriptive prose, personification of the book pulping machine, and the beautiful portrayal of the pages saved from destruction, making it a recommended read for bibliophiles and those who appreciate the depth of insight into mundane yet profound aspects of existence.
Some people are born deaf, mute or blind. Others come into the world afflicted by a nasty squint, a harelip or an unsightly strawberry mark in the middle of their face. And then there are those who em... 'The Boat' by Nam Le is a collection of short stories that span diverse continents, age groups, and issues. Each story delves into critical points in the characters' lives, exploring aspects of the human condition that transcend cultural boundaries. The writing style is described as clear, detailed, and immersive, with the ability to transport readers to various global locales with remarkable skill.
Nam Le showcases his talent by adopting the voices of people from multiple nations, genders, and ages authentically. The stories touch on themes of love, family, friendship, loss, survival, and the psychology of human relationships. The collection is praised for its breadth, passion, poignancy, and the ability to convey universal human experiences through diverse narratives.
MY FATHER ARRIVED ON A RAINY MORNING. I was dreaming about a poem, the dull thluck thluck of a typewriter's keys punching out the letters. It was a good poem – perhaps the best I'd ever written. When ...- #10
Save:'Villain' by Shuichi Yoshida is a literary novel that focuses on the murder of a young woman, Yoshino, in a remote mountain pass. The story delves into the events leading up to the murder and its aftermath, exploring the lives of various characters connected to the victim and the perpetrator. Through shifting perspectives, the author presents a broad cross-section of contemporary Japanese society, highlighting themes of alienation, loneliness, desperation, and the impact of the crime on those involved. The narrative is characterized by a nonlinear temporal structure, multiple viewpoints, and a focus on relationships and human emotions within the societal context.
Early Monday morning, December 10, 2001, Norio Yajima—who ran a wrecking business on the outskirts of Nagasaki City—was driving his old van to work. He’d had the van, which now had more than two hundr...
