Books matching: alternating narratives
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- #1
Save:'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn is a psychological thriller that delves into the dysfunctional marriage of Nick and Amy. The story unfolds with a man coming home on his 5th wedding anniversary to find his house destroyed and his wife missing, leading to a search where all clues point towards him. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, portraying the cunning dynamics between the characters, creating a chilling portrait of the ill effects of narcissistic disorder and manipulation. The novel keeps readers on edge as it explores themes of deception, betrayal, and the dark aspects of human nature.
When I think of my wife, I always think of her head. The shape of it, to begin with. The very first time I saw her, it was the back of the head I saw, and there was something lovely about it, the angl... - #2
Save:'Our Happy Time' by Gong Jiyoung is a thought-provoking and emotional novel that delves into themes of forgiveness, acceptance, mistakes, and lessons learned through the unlikely friendship between the characters. The book explores soul-searching for answers to life's questions, addressing issues such as poverty, suicide, and capital punishment. The story is told in alternating narratives, providing different perspectives that are connected by the character of Aunt Monica, a nun who visits those on death row to help them find peace.
The writing style in 'Our Happy Time' is described as beautifully written, emotional, and raw, evoking deep emotions in readers. The book offers a poignant and human story that deals with sensitive topics while making readers reflect on their own lives and values. The plot unfolds in a way that surprises and engages readers, with secrets and dark pasts being revealed, highlighting the differences between the rich and the poor and showcasing the characters' journeys of growth and self-discovery.
Harlem is there by way of a divine indictment against New York City and the people who live downtown and make their money downtown. The brothels of Harlem, and all its prostitution, and its dope rings... - #3
Save:A novel that begins with an advertising firm burning to the ground introduces the reader to three women associated with the inferno - Laura, Mia, and Janie. The story unfolds with suspicions, lies, and a deadly fire, alternating between the perspectives of the women and a police detective. The plot keeps readers guessing about who set the fire and why, with a shocking ending that ties all the threads together.
The book explores office politics, secrets, and the struggles of balancing work and personal life through the lenses of Laura, Mia, and Janie. The narrative weaves together tension in the workplace, personal conflicts, and a fatal fire that unravels hidden truths, leading to a gripping and engrossing read with good character development.
Laura stood in the doorway to the kitchen and watched her husband, Nate, carefully stirring a wooden spoon around a pan that was balanced precariously on the edge of the stove. In his other arm, nestl... - #4
Save:Maggie Holt returns to Baneberry Hall, a house her family fled in terror when she was five years old. Her father wrote a bestselling memoir about their haunting experience, but Maggie has no memories of it and believes it to be lies. After inheriting the house upon her father's death, she decides to uncover the truth behind the horrors of the house, alternating between present-day experiences and excerpts from her father's book. The book weaves a thrilling horror story filled with suspense, false clues, and red herrings, keeping readers engaged from beginning to end.
From the moment I enter the office, I know how things are going to go. It’s happened before. Too many times to count. And although each incident has its slight variations, the outcome is always the sa... - #5
Save:Gentlemen and Players by Joanne M. Harris is a dark and sinister thriller set in a prestigious all boys boarding school, St. Oswald's. The story revolves around a clever psychopath seeking revenge on the school, creating a complex psychological mystery that keeps the reader hooked until the unpredictable ending. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives, including that of Roy Straitley, an elderly Classics master, and the mysterious assailant, adding depth to the plot and character development.
The book delves into themes of revenge, deception, loyalty, and identity within the backdrop of a British public school. With a well-crafted plot, unexpected twists, and engaging character interactions, Gentlemen and Players offers a gripping and suspenseful read that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
If there's one thing I've learned in the past fifteen years, it's this: that murder is really no big deal. It's just a boundary, meaningless and arbitrary as all others - a line drawn in the dirt. Lik... - #6
Save:The Trials of Koli is the second book in The Rampart Trilogy by M.R. Carey, continuing the post-apocalyptic journey of Koli, Cup, and Ursula as they navigate a world filled with killer trees, remnants of ancient tech, and a dying human race. The story unfolds through alternating perspectives, providing insights into characters' struggles, relationships, and the unraveling of secrets that challenge the survival of humanity. With engaging world-building and action-packed storytelling, the book sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion in the final installment of the trilogy.
The going had been slow all the way along. On our best day, we made five miles by the drudge’s reckoning. And that wasn’t five miles straight. It was five miles of trudging this way and that, stopping...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Rampart ) - #7
Save:In 'The Girl with No Shadow' by Joanne Harris, the story picks up four years after the events of 'Chocolat', following Vianne Rocher as she tries to live a magic-free life in Montmartre to protect her daughters. However, their lives are disrupted by the arrival of Zozie de l'Alba, a mysterious and seductive stranger with hidden intentions. As the plot unfolds, secrets are revealed, alliances are tested, and Vianne must confront her most dangerous enemy - herself. The narrative style includes multiple perspectives, adding depth to the characters and their intertwined stories.
The book is a dark and magical tale set in Montmartre, Paris, filled with elements of fantasy, suspense, and intricate character relationships. Joanne Harris weaves a story of family, community, identity, and the struggle between good and evil, all against the backdrop of a chocolate shop and the mystical aura of Montmartre. The writing style is described as whimsical, vivid, and enchanting, drawing readers into a world where magic and reality intersect in unexpected ways.
It is a relatively little-known fact that, over the course of a single year, about twenty million letters are delivered to the dead. People forget to stop the mail—those grieving widows and prospectiv...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Chocolat ) - #8
Save:Michael Robotham has written another brilliant suspenseful psychological crime thriller about two missing girls that disappeared over three years ago, did they run away or did something criminal happen to them. The story is told from two mode of narration perspectives, bringing you from where the missing girls are and what the authorities are doing to try to solve this mystery. The style that he writes in keeps the reader guessing upon the outcome, but never really getting there till the final pages are read. Two teenage girls plan to runaway but are taken and are gone for three years. We hear directly from one of the girls as she narrates her life in captivity and, alternately from a psychologist with family and health problems who is asked to help with the investigation. This is my first Michael Robotham book and I am certainly going to seek out others in this series. The rest of the novel was pretty good, though. Piper's chapters were really creepy and I found myself having a hard time reading this book alone in the dark, particularly as it got closer to the end. I thought that the character development between the minor characters in the book specifically the parents of Piper and Tash and their friends from the town was interesting and very well done. We learned a lot about each of them, which made pinpointing who the kidnapper was going to be even harder. The topic of abduction and keeping young girls prisoner for years in dank basements seems to have grown in popularity amongst crime writers and their audiences, undoubtedly fuelled by real-life events covered in the news in recent years. It is hard not to be deeply affected by events like the Natascha Kampusch imprisonment, for example, especially the fact that an unspeakable crime against human rights can happen right under our noses without anyone suspecting anything or acting on their suspicions. The book alternates between the journal entries of a kidnapped girl and that of a psychologist investigating a double homicide at a farmhouse. The two stories are inextricably linked and solving one may help the other. This was an incredibly suspenseful book, I couldn't put it down I thought the author did a wonderful job with both character creation and the pace of the book. He is a great writer and I plan on picking up his other books.
It’s freezing outside—minus twenty-six degrees in places—extraordinary for this time of year. I felt like Scott of Antarctica when I walked to work this morning across Hyde Park—O’Loughlin of the Serp...
(Also, see 12 recommendations for the series Joseph O'Loughlin ) - #9
Save:Afterworlds is a unique novel that intertwines two distinct storylines - one following a young debut author navigating the world of publishing in New York City and the other telling the fictional story she wrote about a girl who can travel between the real world and an alternate reality filled with ghosts. The book provides an insider look into the YA publishing industry, blending elements of coming-of-age, fantasy, and the challenges young writers face while exploring themes of life after death and the supernatural.
The first was about Darcy herself. It skipped the trifling details, her dyed blue-black hair and the slim gold ring in her left nostril, and began instead with a grim secret that her parents had never... - #10
Save:The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin is a thought-provoking novel set in Nigeria, centered around Bolanle, the youngest and most educated wife of Baba Segi. The story delves into the complexities of a polygamous family as each wife's secrets and motives are revealed through alternating viewpoints, leading to jealousy, rivalry, and unexpected consequences within the household. The writing style includes vivid details, humor, shocking moments, and a mix of tones ranging from satirical to tragic, providing a deep exploration of Nigerian customs, culture, and traditions.
IDIDN’T JUST HAPPEN upon this room; I dreamed of the pale green walls before I arrived. Now the built-in wardrobe is mine and so is the ceiling fan. My window looks over a backyard with patchy but nea...
