Books matching: author as character
100 result(s)
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- #1
Save:'Murder At The ABA' by Isaac Asimov is a murder mystery novel set at a bookseller's convention in 1975. The story follows author Darius Just as he investigates the death of his former protege, Giles Devore, believed to be a murder rather than an accident. Asimov himself is a character in the book, providing comic relief and taking potshots at the protagonist, adding a surreal element to the narrative. The plot unfolds over four days of the convention, with Just retracing Devore's final hours to uncover a motive and identify the murderer. The writing style is described as humorous, light-hearted, and engaging, with footnotes adding to the fun and entertainment of the story.
In the particular case in which I was involved, however, we can limit the direct causes to a specific, limited series of events, all of which had to have happened for violent death to have its chance.... - #2
Save:'La Carte et la Territoire' by Michel Houellebecq delves into a future society hit by financial cutbacks on culture, where cultural heritage has become folklore for wealthy tourists. The main character, Jed, a lethargic artist, unexpectedly finds commercial success with his boring art. The novel takes a cynical view of the art scene, depicting a world where art is judged solely by its financial effectiveness. The story includes a cameo by the author himself, adding a metafictional layer to the narrative.
- #3
Save:'The Word Is Murder' by Anthony Horowitz is a cleverly crafted murder mystery that follows the investigation of the murder of a woman, Diana Cowper, who is found dead in her home just hours after arranging her own funeral. The story centers around a unique partnership between a disgraced ex-detective, Daniel Hawthorne, and author Anthony Horowitz, who is roped in to write a true crime book about the case. Horowitz skillfully blends fact and fiction, inserting himself as a character in the narrative, leading to a compelling mix of real events and imaginative storytelling. As the duo delves into the case, they uncover a web of motives, suspects, and twists that keep the reader guessing until the surprising solution is revealed.
The book weaves together multiple storylines, including a double murder case involving Diana Cowper and her son, adding layers of complexity to the central mystery. Horowitz's writing style incorporates elements of metafiction, humor, and intricate plotting to create a captivating narrative that blurs the lines between reality and fiction. With a rich cast of characters, red herrings, and gradual elimination of suspects, 'The Word Is Murder' offers a riveting exploration of crime-solving, character dynamics, and the interplay between the author's own life and the fictional world he creates.
Just after eleven o’clock on a bright spring morning, the sort of day when the sunshine is almost white and promises a warmth that it doesn’t quite deliver, Diana Cowper crossed the Fulham Road and we... - #4
Save:'The House of Doors' by Tan Twan Eng is a historical fiction novel set in Penang, Malaysia, blending fact with fiction. The story revolves around the visit of W. Somerset Maugham and a Chinese revolutionary, Sun Yat Sen, to an island off the Malaysian coast. Through the narrative of a married woman in the 1910-1920 era in Malaya, the book explores relationships with various historical figures, forbidden love affairs, and the metaphor of doors concealing and revealing secrets. Eng's writing style is described as beautifully detailed, evoking the colonial days in Penang with a mix of cultures and historical accuracy.
- #5
Save:"In the Night Room" by Peter Straub follows the intertwining lives of Tim Underhill, a middle-aged gay author, and Willy Patrick, a woman author haunted by visions of her dead daughter. The story delves into the strange and mysterious as the two authors come together in a peculiar way, navigating through a plot filled with dark twists, supernatural elements, and complex relationships. The narrative structure is unconventional, alternating between the perspectives of the two protagonists and gradually merging their paths in a way that keeps the readers on edge. The writing style of the author, Peter Straub, is described as dense and intricate, with occasional moments of brilliance that allow the characters to connect with the readers on a deeper level.
About 9:45 on a Wednesday morning early in a rain-drenched September, a novelist named Timothy Underhill gave up, in more distress than he cared to acknowledge, on his ruined breakfast and the New Yor... "Men Explain Things to Me: And Other Essays" by Rebecca Solnit is a collection of feminist essays that delve into societal issues such as mansplaining, toxic masculinity, violence against women, and the silencing of women. Solnit's writing style is described as articulate, passionate, and insightful, covering a wide range of topics from Virginia Woolf's writings to the importance of marriage equality. The essays are thought-provoking, eye-opening, and provide a deep exploration of gender inequality and feminist perspectives.
I still don’t know why Sallie and I bothered to go to that party in the forest slope above Aspen. The people were all older than us and dull in a distinguished way, old enough that we, at forty-ish, p...- #7
Save:The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh is a dark, twisted play that delves into themes of writing, creativity, cruelty, and deception. The story follows a writer and his disabled brother who become central figures in an investigation of grisly child murders that resemble the dark fables created by the writer. The play unfolds through a series of plot twists narrated by the stories the man has written, ultimately revealing the guilt of the culprit. McDonagh's writing style is described as morbidly funny, deeply disturbing, and a contemporary morality play that explores the interactions between an author's work and a cruel world.
- #8
Save:In "The Sentence is Death" by Anthony Horowitz, readers are taken on a thrilling journey through a murder investigation where author Anthony Horowitz finds himself entangled in solving the mysterious death of a celebrity divorce lawyer, Richard Pryce. Partnered with the enigmatic ex-detective Daniel Hawthorne, Horowitz navigates through a web of suspects, red herrings, and unexpected twists, all while showcasing a unique blend of reality and fiction within the narrative.
Horowitz's writing style cleverly weaves humor, metafiction, and classic mystery elements together, creating an engaging and entertaining storyline that keeps readers hooked until the very end. The dynamic between Horowitz and Hawthorne adds a layer of complexity and depth to the narrative, reminiscent of iconic detective duos like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, making "The Sentence is Death" a must-read for mystery enthusiasts.
Usually, I enjoy visiting film sets. I love the excitement of seeing so many professional people working together – at a cost of tens of thousands of pounds – to create a vision that will have begun p...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Hawthorne ) - #9
Save:'The Unnatural History of the Sea' by Callum Roberts is a well-researched and engaging account of the history of fishing and marine life exploitation. Roberts skillfully weaves together historical sources and his own research to showcase the devastating impact of human activities on the oceans. The book delves into the changes in technology, overfishing, and the depletion of marine resources from medieval times to the present day, painting a vivid picture of the environmental challenges faced by our seas.
Roberts' writing style is clear, thorough, and accessible, making complex scientific and historical information easily understandable for readers. Through a combination of detailed accounts and powerful arguments, the book effectively conveys the urgent need for conservation efforts and sustainable management practices to protect our oceans for future generations.
- #10
Save:In "The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite," David A. Kessler explores how the food industry manipulates our brains with foods high in sugar, fat, and salt, leading to overeating habits. He delves into the biological circuitry that drives our responses to highly palatable foods and provides insights on breaking the cycle of unhealthy eating behaviors. Kessler uncovers the tactics used by the food industry to make food addictive, from adding chemicals to exaggerate taste to manipulating ingredients to create irresistible dishes.
Kessler's writing style in "The End of Overeating" is informative, thought-provoking, and engaging. Through a combination of scientific research, real-life examples, and expert interviews, he sheds light on the psychology behind overeating and offers practical advice on how to regain control over one's eating habits. The book delves into the impact of processed foods, the addictive nature of certain ingredients, and the strategies individuals can employ to resist the constant urge to overeat.
For thousands of years human body weight stayed remarkably stable. Throughout adulthood we basically consumed no more than the food we needed to burn. People who were overweight stood apart from the g...
