Books matching: autofiction
32 result(s)
- #1
Save:Motherhood by Sheila Heti is a contemplative exploration of the decision-making process around whether or not to have children. The unnamed narrator, a woman in her thirties, delves into the complexities of societal pressures, personal desires, and familial legacies that influence her stance on motherhood. Through the lens of autofiction, the book navigates themes of self-reflection, existential questioning, and the internal struggle of defining one's purpose in life.
Heti's writing style in Motherhood is characterized by a blend of introspection, emotional depth, and philosophical musings. The narrative grapples with the weighty topic of motherhood with a mix of vulnerability and honesty, drawing readers into the narrator's internal turmoil and the intricate web of emotions surrounding the decision to have children. The use of oracular coin tossing, dream recounting, and introspective monologues adds a layer of introspective complexity to the storyline, offering a unique perspective on the protagonist's journey of self-discovery.
This afternoon, a psychic lady—a spiritual healer or fraud—stopped me on the street as I stood in the West Village, window-shopping after an interview. The interview had been conducted by a reporter w... - #2
Save:'Solenoid' by Mircea Cartarescu is a surrealistic novel filled with unique, strange, and wonder-filled elements. The book delves into the inner and exterior complexities of reality, demanding total attention and concentration from the reader. The narrative is described as overwhelming, engulfing the reader's imagination and consciousness, providing a fresh perspective on reality itself. The author, Cartarescu, weaves together various genres such as autofiction, ars poetica, and sci-fi, resulting in a novel that is both a novel of ideas and a total experience for the reader. The book is set against the backdrop of Bucharest, adding a majestic grandeur to the story.
- #3
Save:'What Are You Going Through' by Sigrid Nunez is a contemplative and identifiable exploration of life, death, and the messy realities in between. The narrator embarks on a journey filled with encounters with various people, reflecting on friendship, love, joy, and sorrows. The main focus of the book is on a favor the narrator agrees to do for a dying friend, leading to profound reflections on how experiences enrich us in unexpected ways.
Nunez's writing style is clean, unpretentious, and conversational, drawing readers in with its personal touch. Through a series of digressions and vignettes, the book weaves together different threads of characters and themes, ultimately exploring deep truths about loss, comfort, memory, and the complexities of human connections. The narrative style, although minimal in plot, delves into the depths of human nature and existential questions, making it a moving and insightful read.
I went to hear a man give a talk. The event was held on a college campus. The man was a professor, but he taught at a different school, in another part of the country. He was a well-known author, who,... - #4
Save:"Cleanness" by Garth Greenwell is a beautifully written novel that delves into the life of a gay English teacher living in Sofia, Bulgaria, a city where being gay is dangerous and not openly accepted. The protagonist navigates his love life, insecurities, desires, and observations of the city, all while trying to support a gay student and exploring his own emotional journey. The writing style of the book is described as brilliant, honest, and nakedly truthful, with vivid descriptions that bring the experiences and emotions of the narrator to life.
We had agreed to meet at the fountain in front of the McDonald’s in Slaveykov Square. By my American standards G. was late, and as I waited for him I browsed the book stalls the square is famous for, ... 'When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife' by Meena Kandasamy is a raw and honest account of one woman's experience with domestic violence and marital rape. The book is written in a unique style, blending novelized form with poetic narration, creating a thought-provoking and powerful exploration of the protagonist's harrowing journey through an abusive marriage in contemporary India.
The author, through a mix of reflective and urgent storytelling, delves into the complexities of emotional, physical, and sexual violence faced by the protagonist at the hands of her Marxist husband. The narrative not only chronicles the abuse but also highlights the protagonist's resilience, courage, and strength in reclaiming her voice and identity amidst the horrors she endures.
This is about the future of her only daughter, really the only thing that matters to her in life, the only reason for her late nights and efforts, in short, her only hope, her only consolation, and sh...- #6
Save:'Simple Passion' by Annie Ernaux is a spare, elegant account of the author's intense obsession with a younger married man. Through bare, unadorned prose, Ernaux immerses the reader in the narrator's past affair, depicting her submissiveness, waiting anxiously for the man's calls, and putting her life on hold for their encounters. The narrative delves deep into the emotions and experiences of the protagonist during this tumultuous relationship, offering a raw and honest exploration of passion and obsession.
'I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness' by Claire Vaye Watkins seems to delve into the life of a protagonist named Claire who is a new young mother with a unique family background, including a father who was part of the Manson family. The story covers themes of self-discovery, unconventional family dynamics, and revisiting one's past. The writing style is described as provocative, insightful, and sometimes disturbing, with elements of autofiction blending the author's life with a zany narrative.
The Amargosa River is one of the world’s most remarkable water courses. . . . You may cross and re-cross it many times totally unaware of its existence, but in the cloudburst season it can and does be...- #8
Save:'Checkout 19' by Claire-Louise Bennett is a unique and unconventional novel that challenges traditional storytelling. The book delves into the world of books, reading, and writing, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The author's writing style is described as zany, boundless, and filled with stream-of-consciousness narration that takes readers on a journey through the narrator's thoughts and experiences.
Later on we often had a book with us. Later on. When we were a bit bigger at last though still nowhere near as big as the rest of them we brought over books with us. Oh loads of books. And sat with th... - #9
Save:History of Violence by Edouard Louis is a powerful and intimate autobiographical novel that delves into the aftermath of a brutal attack experienced by the protagonist, douard. The narrative style of the book is described as unique, with the story being presented through a mix of first-person narrative and the protagonist's sister recounting the events, while douard interjects to correct inaccuracies. The book addresses themes of violence, homophobia, racism, and the impact of trauma on the victim, exploring the complex emotions and struggles faced by the protagonist in the aftermath of the attack.
The author, Edouard Louis, weaves a compelling and deeply emotional tale that captivates readers with its detailed and powerful storytelling. Through the protagonist's introspective narration and the use of multiple perspectives, Louis creates a sense of empathy and connection between the reader and the protagonist, allowing for a poignant exploration of the aftermath of violence and the complexities of memory and self-discovery.
I am hidden on the other side of the door, I listen, and she says that several hours after what the copy of the report I keep twice-folded in my drawer calls the attempted homicide, and which I call t... - #10
Save:'A Star Shines Over Mt. Morris Park' by Henry Roth is a part of the 'Mercy of a Rude Stream' series, depicting the life of Ira Stigman, a Jewish child growing up in Harlem from 1914 to 1920. The narrative explores themes of identity, stereotypes, and the struggle for assimilation in the backdrop of early 20th-century New York City. Roth skillfully weaves a story that delves into the conflicts between old traditions and new cultures, touching on subjects like anti-Semitism, racism, poverty, hope, and sexual awakening. The novel presents a dual perspective, with the older narrator reflecting on his childhood memories while recounting the coming-of-age journey of Ira Stigman.
Roth's writing style in 'A Star Shines Over Mt. Morris Park' is praised for its fine language, driving plot, sympathetic narrator, and profound insights into human character. offers a blend of nostalgia and regret, as the aging author grapples with his past through recollections of his youth intertwined with commentary on aging and family dynamics. The title itself, inspired by a Shakespearean quote, reflects the tumultuous nature of life as portrayed by the author, creating a unique and engaging narrative structure that captivates readers.
