Meet New Books

Books matching: american society

100 result(s)

Readers also searched for:

Page 1
Showing 1 - 10 of 100 
  1. #1

    Black Spring by Henry Miller
    Save:

    Henry Miller's 'Black Spring' is a collection of writings that delve into his youth, from growing up as the son of a tailor to experiencing Paris as a young man. The book is described as exuberant, weird, and over the top, with writing that is both fascinating and uninhibited. The narrative is filled with images that range from the beautiful to the terrifying, providing a feverish exploration of Miller's perspective on life and society.

    'Black Spring' is composed of several short pieces, each offering a unique insight into Miller's mind and showcasing his unparalleled writing style. The book captures the essence of America's industrial era, unveiling the dehumanizing horrors of society while also reflecting on the relevance of his observations in the modern world.

    I am a patriot—of the Fourteenth Ward, Brooklyn, where I was raised. The rest of the United States doesn't exist for me, except as idea, or history, or literature. At ten years of age I was uprooted f...

  2. #2

    The Masters of Atlantis by Charles Portis
    Save:

    'The Masters of Atlantis' by Charles Portis is a humorous and eccentric tale about the Gnomon Society, a fictional 20th-century initiatory order that arrived in the US following World War I. The story follows the adventures and misadventures of Corporal Lamar Jimmerson, who becomes involved with the society after being entrusted with a sacred text from Atlantis. As Jimmerson spreads the teachings of Gnomonism, he recruits new adherents like Sidney Hen and Austin Popper, leading to a series of comical and absurd situations. The writing style of the book is described as consistent, engaging, and masterful, with a tone that balances humor and satire.

    YOUNG LAMAR JIMMERSON went to France in 1917 with the American Expeditionary Forces, serving first with the Balloon Section, stumbling about in open fields holding one end of a long rope, and then lat...

  3. #3

    Deadeye Dick by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
    Save:

    Many readers found 'Deadeye Dick' to be a darkly humorous and tragic novel, typical of Kurt Vonnegut's style. The story follows the life of Rudy Waltz, a character who experiences a series of unfortunate events, including a double homicide and the detonation of a neutron bomb over Midland City. Vonnegut weaves together elements of humor, wit, and satire to explore themes of war, violence, and the impact of weapons on society. The writing style is described as meandering, with a mix of dark humor and emotional detachment that is uniquely Vonnegut.

    I have caught life. I have come down with life. I was a wisp of undifferentiated nothingness, and then a little peephole opened quite suddenly. Light and sound poured in. Voices began to describe me a...

  4. #4

    A Frolic of His Own by William Gaddis
    Save:

    'A Frolic of His Own' by William Gaddis is a novel that delves into the intricacies of the legal world and the litigious nature of society. The story follows Oscar Crease, the main character who sues a production company for stealing his screenplay and a car manufacturer after his driverless car runs over him. The book is filled with witty dialogues, unconventional writing style, and satirical elements that critique the legal profession and society's obsession with lawsuits. The plot also includes elements like a lawsuit involving a dog trapped in a modern art sculpture, a blockbuster movie set during the Civil War, and a family dynamic filled with quirky characters.

    —Well of course Oscar wants both. I mean the way he talks about order? She drew back her foot from the threat of an old man paddling by in a wheelchair, —that all he’s looking for is some kind of orde...

  5. #5

    Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch by Henry Miller
    Save:

    'Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch' by Henry Miller is a memoir that delves into the author's life in Big Sur, capturing the essence of the bohemian colony of artists and writers he encountered there. Miller reflects on his family life, separation from his wife and children, and the eccentric characters that populated his surroundings. The book paints a vivid picture of Miller's neighbors, the physical beauty of Big Sur, and his pursuit of a harmonious existence in the midst of a changing environment. The writing style is described as philosophical, filled with personal anecdotes, and reflective of American society in the 1950s.

    The little community of one, begun by the fabulous “outlander,” Jaime de Angulo, has multipled into a dozen families. The hill (Partington Ridge) is now nearing the saturation point, as things go in t...

  6. #6

    Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
    Save:

    Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is a satirical novel that delves into themes of madness, racism, economic disparity, and free will. The story follows the meeting of Kilgore Trout, a science fiction writer, and Dwayne Hoover, a Pontiac dealer, at an art festival. Through a series of absurd and chaotic events, Trout ends up changing Hoover's life, leading to a journey that touches on various social issues and critiques American culture. Vonnegut's writing style is described as witty, satirical, and unconventional, with elements of dark humor and profound observations about humanity.

    The book features Vonnegut's signature style of short, simple sentences, interspersed with illustrations that break the fourth wall and add to the quirky nature of the narrative. Vonnegut's unique approach to storytelling includes meta elements where he appears as a character within the novel, manipulating the fate of the characters. Despite its meandering plot and unconventional structure, Breakfast of Champions offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition and societal norms through Vonnegut's satirical lens.

    Actually, the sea pirates who had the most to do with the creation of the new government owned human slaves. They used human beings for machinery, and, even after slavery was eliminated, because it wa...

  7. 'The Long Gray Line: The American Journey of West Point's Class of 1966' by Rick Atkinson follows the lives of a group of West Point cadets from their enrollment in 1961 to their 20th reunion in 1986. It vividly portrays the personal stories of the men who entered the Military Academy in 1962, covering the years between 1962 and 1989. The author skillfully narrates the emotional journey of these cadets from their induction to their service in the Army, focusing on their experiences during the chaotic and tragic Vietnam War era.

    Atkinson's writing style is described as epic and engaging, rotating the narrative from one character to the next to provide insight into their family stories, relationships, inner thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams. not only delves into the lives of the cadets but also offers a parallel story of America's societal shifts from the 1960s to the 1980s. Through meticulous research and detailed storytelling, Atkinson brings to life the personal battles faced by each cadet away from the battlefield, making the book a moving and captivating read.

    The National Cemetery at West Point is a place of uncommon tranquillity, screened from the martial hubbub of the Military Academy by privet hedges and stone walls. The tombstones run to the river bluf...

  8. #8

    The Twenty-Seventh City by Jonathan Franzen
    Save:

    The Twenty-Seventh City by Jonathan Franzen is a political thriller set in St. Louis, revolving around the ambitious Bombay police commissioner S. Jammu who becomes the powerful police chief of the city. Her agenda, supposedly to revive St. Louis, is a front for a real estate scheme to benefit her millionaire mother. The plot involves a cabal of Indian immigrants orchestrating a takeover of the city's power structure through various means, including terrorist attacks and seductions of business leaders. The novel features a vast array of characters, with the main focus on Martin Probst and S. Jammu, whose opposing ethical stances lead to a complex political battle.

    Jonathan Franzen's writing style in The Twenty-Seventh City is praised for its luscious prose, detailed descriptions of the beauty and decay of St. Louis, and well-developed characters. However, some readers find the plot to be implausible and overly complex, with an excessive number of characters that can be challenging to keep track of. Despite these criticisms, Franzen's deep knowledge of St. Louis and his ability to weave words and pick up on details are highlighted as strengths in the novel.


  9. #9

    Paco's Story by Larry Heinemann
    Save:

    Paco's Story by Larry Heinemann is a powerful and raw narrative that delves into the experiences of Paco, the sole survivor of Alpha Company who returns home haunted by the ghosts of his past. The book explores Paco's struggles in both Vietnam and America, portraying the toll that war takes on those who survive. The writing style is evocative, stark, and chilling, providing a truthful depiction of war told through metaphors that question the futility of conflict and the horrors endured by soldiers on both sides.

    1. The First Clean Fact. Let’s begin with the first clean fact, James: This ain’t no war story. War stories are out—one, two, three, and a heave-ho, into the lake you go with all the other alewife scu...

  10. #10

    Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis
    Save:

    "Elmer Gantry" by Sinclair Lewis is a satiric indictment of fundamentalist religion, focusing on the journey of the title character, Elmer Gantry, from a greedy, shallow Baptist minister to a leader of a large Methodist congregation. The novel explores themes of hypocrisy in the ministry and among parishioners, with Gantry encountering fellow religious hypocrites and becoming romantically involved with some of them. Despite being exposed as a fraud multiple times, Gantry remains a compelling and enduring character in the book.

    The story of "Elmer Gantry" is a scathing commentary on evangelical Christianity, small-town America's hypocrisy, and the manipulation and abuses prevalent in organized religion. Sinclair Lewis expertly portrays Elmer Gantry as a narcissistic, unethical, and womanizing individual who rises to power as a preacher, using his charisma to control and exploit others. The novel delves into the dark side of religious institutions, highlighting the falseness and hypocrisy not only in Gantry but also in those around him, making it a relevant and thought-provoking read even in modern times.

    Elmer Gantry was drunk. He was eloquently drunk, lovingly and pugnaciously drunk. He leaned against the bar of the Old Home Sample Room, the most gilded and urbane saloon in Cato, Missouri, and reques...

Page 1 of 10Next Page