Books matching: dark coming of age tale
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- #1
Save:'Cruddy' by Lynda Barry is a dark and disturbing coming-of-age tale that follows the life of 16-year-old Roberta, also known as Clyde, as she recounts her troubled past. Kidnapped by her father at age 11, Roberta is taken on a violent and surreal road trip in search of her grandfather's hidden inheritance. The narrative alternates between Roberta's harrowing past and her drug-fueled teenage years, where she befriends outcasts and delves into a world of chaos and self-discovery. The book is described as a blend of horror, humor, and dark realism, with compelling characters and a unique storytelling style that keeps readers gripped until the end.
The Turtle said, “Would you ladies like to join me in New Orleans? Would you like to experience the malodor of the sad drunk’s urine in Pirate’s Alley? Would you care to gaze upon the House of the Ris... - #2
Save:Angela Carter's 'The Magic Toyshop' is a dark and disturbingly brilliant coming-of-age tale following Melanie, a 15-year-old girl who is thrown into an unknown world and family after the tragic death of her parents. Set in a foggy, fairy tale-like atmosphere, the novel explores themes of fantasy, reality, feminism, and sexuality as Melanie navigates through her adolescence, living out her fantasies and nightmares in a magical toyshop.
The summer she was fifteen, Melanie discovered she was made of flesh and blood. O, my America, my new found land. She embarked on a tranced voyage, exploring the whole of herself, clambering her own m... - #3
Save:'The Mountain Lion' by Jean Stafford is a dark and perverse coming-of-age tale set in the west, revolving around two siblings, Ralph and Molly. The story delves into their love-hate relationship, their struggles with adolescence, and their interactions with their dysfunctional family members. The narrative unfolds in both a Los Angeles suburb and their uncle's Colorado ranch, showcasing the contrast between civilization and nature, childhood and adulthood, and life and death. Stafford's writing is described as dense, atmospheric, vivid, and haunting, painting a vivid picture of the characters and the natural world they are up against.
Ralph was ten and Molly was eight when they had scarlet fever. It left them with some sort of glandular disorder which was not malignant, but which kept them half poisoned most of the time and caused ... - #4
Save:Autumn Bleeds Into Winter by Jeff Strand is a dark coming-of-age tale set in 1979 Fairbanks, Alaska. The story follows Curtis Black, a 14-year-old boy who witnesses his best friend Todd being abducted by a child serial killer. Instead of going to the police, Curtis decides to take matters into his own hands and confront the kidnapper, leading to a series of dangerous and intense events. The book is praised for its witty and natural dialogue, intense final scenes, and the way it evokes nostalgia for readers who grew up in the 80s.
I lived in Fairbanks, Alaska. The kind of safe neighborhood where kids would be turned loose in the morning and left to their own devices until the piercing shout of their mother informed them that it... - #5
Save:'The Shadow Year' by Jeffrey Ford is a well-written novel that follows the reminiscences of the main character as he reflects on his boyhood's Shadow Year, filled with family troubles and dark incidents tinged with horror, the paranormal, and supernatural elements. The story reads like contemporary fantasy with a touch of magic realism, as the protagonist, along with his older brother and younger sister, navigates through a neighborhood plagued by a killer, a ghost, and other mysterious occurrences. The narrative unfolds slowly, blending humor with creepy moments, creating a sense of tension and fear that is heightened by the children's unique perspective of the world around them.
Ford's depiction of Long Island in the early 1960s serves as a backdrop for the unfolding mystery, showcasing a community built on new beginnings but shadowed by hidden dangers and secrets. The novel captures the essence of childhood adventures and fears, portraying the protagonists' bond as they face the challenges of their dysfunctional family and a town plagued by unsettling events. Through the eyes of the children, the readers are taken on a journey that evokes nostalgia, mystery, and a sense of coming-of-age amidst a backdrop of supernatural occurrences and everyday struggles.
It began in the last days of August, when the leaves of the elm in the front yard had curled into crisp brown tubes and fallen away to litter the lawn. I sat at the curb that afternoon, waiting for Mi... - #6
Save:'Of Foster Homes and Flies' by Chad Lutzke is a novella that follows the story of Denny, a 12-year-old boy who has faced immense loss and struggles in his young life. After the unexpected death of his mother, Denny is determined to compete in the sixth grade spelling bee, showcasing a compelling and heartbreaking journey filled with wit and charm. The book delves into themes of loneliness, resilience, and the desire for normalcy in the face of adult responsibilities, portraying a unique blend of human drama and horror elements.
- #7
Save:'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' by Neil Gaiman is a dark and enchanting tale that explores the blurred lines between reality and fantasy through the eyes of a seven-year-old boy. The protagonist revisits his childhood home and is transported back to a time filled with mystical occurrences, terrifying secrets, and the enduring power of friendship. Gaiman weaves a narrative that seamlessly blends magical realism with elements of childhood nostalgia, creating a haunting and whimsical story that captivates readers from start to finish.
Through vivid prose and evocative storytelling, Gaiman delves into themes of innocence, fear, friendship, and the complexities of memory. navigates through the protagonist's journey of self-discovery as he confronts the mysteries of his past and the hidden truths that shape his present reality. With a touch of melancholy and a hint of wonder, 'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' takes readers on a mesmerizing exploration of the human experience, where the boundaries between imagination and truth blur in a world filled with magic and mystery.
There was a table laid with jellies and trifles, with a party hat beside each place and a birthday cake with seven candles on it in the centre of the table. The cake had a book drawn on it, in icing. ... - #8
Save:The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker is a coming-of-age tale intertwined with a post-apocalyptic story, following the life of an 11-year-old girl named Julia as she navigates the challenges of middle school amidst the Earth's rotation slowing down. The book delves into Julia's personal struggles with friendships, family dynamics, first love, and societal changes, all set against the backdrop of a world facing catastrophic alterations due to the slowing of the Earth's rotation. The narrative style, through Julia's perspective, captures the blend of normal adolescent experiences and the extraordinary events unfolding in the world.
We were distracted back then by weather and war. We had no interest in the turning of the earth. Bombs continued to explode on the streets of distant countries. Hurricanes came and went. Summer ended.... - #9
Save:'The One Who Eats Monsters' by Casey Matthews revolves around an elder god who falls in love with a teenager. The protagonist, Ryn, is an old world god who exists solely to hunt down and eliminate monsters that humanity despises. The story is a dark urban fantasy featuring elder gods, where the main character navigates through a world filled with violence, horror, and engaging romance elements. The writing style is described as unique, entertaining, and compelling, with a mix of powerful, terrifying, and socially awkward characters that make the narrative engaging and lovable.
Helicopter rotors spun in the darkness and nothing that lived here knew that sound. Scrub mice scattered to their burrows and snakes tasting the frigid air from their holes slithered back into the dee... - #10
Save:'The Book of Lost Things' by John Connolly is a dark and haunting coming-of-age story that follows young David as he copes with the loss of his mother and struggles to accept his new family dynamics. The book seamlessly weaves together various fairy tales into a nightmarish world that David stumbles into, where he embarks on a quest to find the king and uncover the secrets of the Book of Lost Things in order to find his way back home. The writing style is described as rich with lovely language and a fairy tale lyricism that immerses the reader in a world filled with peril and fantastical creatures.
He had, in truth, been losing her for a very long time. The disease that was killing her was a creeping, cowardly thing, a sickness that ate away at her from the inside, slowly consuming the light wit...
