Books matching: contemporary literary fiction
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- #1
Save:"We Play Ourselves" by Jen Silverman is a contemporary literary fiction novel that follows a bisexual playwright, Cass, who flees a scandal involving her professional rival and finds herself entangled in the world of theatre and filmmaking in LA. The book delves into themes of art, power, jealousy, bitterness, and acceptance, with a focus on the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and coping with ugly emotions. The narrative is described as a layered and resonant reflection of accepting failure, fears, and anger in order to embrace one's true self.
The story explores Cass's struggles with jealousy, pettiness, and unhealthy coping mechanisms, all set against the backdrop of the theatre world and the complexities of relationships. It addresses topics such as child sexual abuse, the blurred lines between art and exploitation, and the raw emotions that individuals are not supposed to feel but must confront to find inner peace.
I exit LAX and the warm air slaps me awake. The first thing I smell is car exhaust. Then, just under it: desert. People are already upset, a traffic cop is shouting at a red sports car and waving her ... - #2
Save:'Picture Perfect' by Jodi Picoult delves into the intertwined lives of an anthropologist and an abused woman, shedding light on the complexities of domestic violence and the reasons why victims often find it difficult to leave their abusers. The narrative skillfully explores the raw emotions and difficult decisions faced by each character, offering a poignant and honest portrayal of how abuse can perpetuate through generations. Through a poignant and painful love story, Picoult captures the essence of domestic violence and the struggles faced by both abusers and victims, ultimately highlighting the challenging journey towards breaking the cycle of abuse.
The novel also touches upon themes of cultural differences, showcasing the clash between the Lakota traditions and a white woman's life, adding depth and dimension to the narrative. With a unique writing style that immerses readers into the characters' lives, 'Picture Perfect' presents a compelling story that provokes reflection on the intricacies of abusive relationships and the enduring impact of trauma.
She was lying on top of a grave, her head pressed close to the headstone, her arms crossed over her stomach. She was almost as white as the seven faded granite markers that surrounded her. The grounds... - #3
Save:The Wolf Border by Sarah Hall follows the story of Rachel Caine, a wildlife biologist who returns to her home in Cumbria, England after working with wolves in the US. She is offered a job by the politically active Earl of Annerdale to manage a project reintroducing wolves to the English countryside. The novel explores Rachel's personal journey through pregnancy, family ties, and her interactions with the British class system and political influences. Set against the backdrop of the Scottish independence referendum, the story delves into themes of rewilding, family relationships, and the wildness of nature.
It’s not often she dreams about them. During the day they are elusive, keeping to the tall grass of the Reservation, disappearing from the den site. They are fleet or lazy, moving through their own ta... - #4
Save:A Year of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman is a lyrical and whimsical tale set in a remote Cornish creek, where the 89-year-old Marvellous Ways lives alone, waiting for something she feels is coming. When a young soldier named Drake washes up on her shore, broken in body and spirit, a deep bond forms between them as Marvellous helps him heal and shares her magical stories and wisdom. The book weaves together themes of healing, friendship, and the beauty of nature, creating a fairy tale-like quality with elements of magical realism.
Ever since she had entered her ninetieth year Marvellous Ways spent a good part of her day waiting, and not for death, as you might assume, given her age. She wasn’t sure what she was waiting for beca... - #5
Save:"Black Dogs" by Ian McEwan is a novel that delves into the complexities of relationships and ideologies through the lens of a young couple's marriage. The story follows the protagonist, Jeremy, as he tries to piece together the reasons behind the estrangement of his in-laws, Bernard and June, who were once devoted to each other but grew apart due to their differing beliefs and experiences. Set against the backdrop of significant historical events like World War II and the fall of the Berlin Wall, the narrative explores themes of spirituality, communism, and the impact of war on personal lives. The writing style is described as dense and thought-provoking, with a focus on psychological components that leave the reader enlightened.
- #6
Save:Set against the backdrop of the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and prohibition, 'The Tilted World' by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly is a gripping tale of moonshiners, revenuers, murder, and the power of nature. The authors intricately weave a story of dual protagonists, Ingersoll and Dixie Clay, whose lives become intertwined amidst the rising floodwaters, leading to a stunning crescendo. The book is praised for its vivid and atmospheric writing style that captures the essence of the time and place, making the characters come alive with their past pain and struggles.
The overhanging roof of the general store where federal revenue agents Ham Johnson and Ted Ingersoll hitched their horses was tin, so at first they didn’t hear anything but the rain, endless marbles e... - #7
Save:The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles is a historical fiction novel set in frontier Texas, following the life of Britt Johnson, a freed slave who embarks on a mission to rescue his family after they are captured by Kiowa Indians. The book intricately weaves together multiple viewpoints, including those of Britt, his wife Mary, and other captives, while also exploring the challenges faced by settlers and Native Americans in post-Civil War America. Jiles' writing style is described as vivid and descriptive, painting a rich and realistic picture of the conflicts and hardships of the time.
WHEN THEY FIRST came into the country it was wet and raining and if they had known of the droughts that lasted for seven years at a time they might never have stayed. They did not know what lay to the... - #8
Save:"Change of Heart" by Jodi Picoult revolves around the story of Shay Bourne, a death row inmate convicted of killing a police officer and his young stepdaughter. Eleven years after the murders, Shay volunteers to donate his heart to the sister of his victim, which complicates the state's execution plans and forces the victim's family to make a difficult decision about their daughter's life. The novel delves into themes of the death penalty, religion, organ donation, and the complexities of forgiveness and redemption, all while exploring multiple perspectives on controversial issues.
This double murderer, this monster, looked like the water polo team captain who had sat next to me in an economics seminar last semester. He resembled the deliveryman from the pizza place that had a t... - #9
Save:'Sing You Home' by Jodi Picoult delves into complex issues such as infertility, same-sex marriage, music therapy, fundamentalist religion, and legal battles over custody of frozen embryos. The story follows Zoe Baxter, a music therapist who struggles with fertility issues and eventually falls in love with Vanessa, leading to a same-sex marriage. The plot revolves around the emotional turmoil faced by Zoe, her ex-husband Max, and Vanessa as they navigate the legal challenges and moral dilemmas surrounding the use of frozen embryos from Zoe's previous marriage.
Jodi Picoult skillfully weaves together multiple social issues and personal struggles in 'Sing You Home', creating a thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of love, family dynamics, societal biases, and ethical dilemmas. Through the perspectives of various characters, including Zoe, Max, and Vanessa, the book offers a deep exploration of the complexities of modern relationships, reproductive science, and the definition of family, ultimately challenging readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values.
One sunny, crisp Saturday in September when I was seven years old, I watched my father drop dead. I was playing with my favorite dol on the stone wal that bordered our driveway while he mowed the lawn... - #10
Save:At twelve, Emily Parmenter knows about loneliness only too well. Left mostly to herself after her beautiful young mother disappeared and her beloved older brother died, Emily is keenly aware of yearning and loss. Rather than let the sadness consume her, she has built a life around the faded plantation where her remote father and hunting obsessed brothers raise the legendary Lowcountry Boykin hunting spaniels. To some, it may seem that she lives within a meager, narrow, masculine world, but to Emily that life holds its own special magic the storied deep sea dolphins who regularly come to frolic and play in Sweetwater Creek her extraordinary bond with the beautiful dogs she trains her almost mystical communion with her own spaniel, Elvis the dreaming old Lowcountry itself. Emily hides from the dreaded world here. For her, it is enough. And then along comes Lulu Foxworth, troubled daughter of a truly grand plantation, who has run away from her hectic debutante season in Charleston to spend a healing summer with the quiet marshes and river, and the life giving dogs. Where Emily's father sees their guest as an entree into a society he thought forever out of reach, Emily is at once threatened and utterly mystified. Lulu has a powerful enchantment and a charm of her own, and this, along with the dark, crippling secret she brings with her, will inevitably blow Emily's magical water world apart and let the real one in but at a terrible price.
of mullet into a tight ball against the shore. In a thrashing rush that defies human ken, they create a great wave that washes the bait fish out of the water and up onto the mudflats. The dolphins, ri...
