Books matching: dense descriptions
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- #1
Save:In a rural Tennessee town in the 1950s, 'Twilight' by William Gay tells the story of a teen brother and sister seeking revenge on an undertaker who desecrates the dead. The siblings discover the undertaker's dark secret and attempt to blackmail him, leading to a twisted chain of events involving hired killers and a chase through the Harrikin, a heavily wooded area. The prose in the book is described as having a Southern Gothic style, with a lack of punctuation for dialogue adding to the stark and dark atmosphere of the narrative.
They came up through the stand of cypress that shrouded the graveyard, the pickup hidden off the road in a chertpit clottedwith inkblot bowers of honeysuckle. There were two of them, a young woman and... - #2
Save:'The Scar' by China Mieville is a novel set in the same universe as 'Perdido Street Station' but with a different cast of characters and settings. The book is praised for its tightly plotted narrative, well-drawn characters, and the absence of gratuitous elements like slime and gore. The story follows the main character Bellis Coldwine as she navigates through a world filled with bizarre urban density, alternative realities, and a floating pirate city known as Armada.
The narrative of 'The Scar' is described as captivating, dark, and richly imagined, with complex characters who grapple with hidden goodness and darkness within the human condition. The book delves into themes of duplicity, energy policy, and exile, all while maintaining a focus on character development and a multi-perspective plot that weaves together various storylines in a compelling manner.
The boats that make the eastward journey out of New Crobuzon enter a lower landscape. To the south there are huts and rotten little jetties, from where rural laborers fish to supplement monotonous die...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series New Crobuzon ) - #3
Save:The Arm of the Stone is a fantasy novel by Victoria Strauss that delves into a world governed by a conservative religious elite who control the Domain of the Mind and suppress any mechanical innovation in the Domain of the Hand. The storyline follows the journey of a young boy, the last remaining caretaker of a magical artifact known as the 'Stone,' as he seeks to reclaim it and seek revenge against those who stole it centuries ago. The plot twists and turns, surprising readers with its intricate and powerful narrative that explores themes of prophecy, hatred, and the clash between magic and technology.
- #4
Save:The novel 'All Heads Turn When the Hunt Goes By' by John Farris is a Southern Gothic horror story that revolves around a prominent Southern family plagued by a voodoo curse. The plot kicks off with a ghastly wedding day tragedy in 1942, leading to a series of dreadful events that unfold within the accursed family. Farris skillfully weaves historic details, cultural tidbits, and voodoo lore into the narrative, creating a rich sense of time and place. The writing style is described as engrossing, gripping, and horrifying, with vivid descriptions that immerse the reader in a dark and mysterious atmosphere.
I've always wondered about my ultimate capacity for good sour mash sipping whiskey, and now I see that I've nearly finished the bottle which the indispensable Hackaliah brought to my room about eight ... - #5
Save:The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft is a classic horror tale that delves into madness, evil, and the dark gods. The story follows Charles Dexter Ward, a young man drawn to the dark arts of witchcraft in Rhode Island, who becomes increasingly deranged as he delves deeper into macabre subjects and obscurities of the underworld. Through the eyes of a third-person narrator, the readers witness the terrifying transformation of Charles as he uncovers the terrible deeds of Joseph Curwen, an ancient resident involved in sinister activities.
The narrative unfolds in a chillingly clinical precision, showcasing Lovecraft's talent for building a sense of creeping horror through a slow and careful buildup. The book immerses the readers in a frightful environment filled with madness and diabolic schemes, where the protagonist's descent into darkness is described step by step by a third-person narrator, creating a sense of dread and fascination throughout the story.
From a private hospital for the insane near Providence, Rhode Island, there recently disappeared an exceedingly singular person. He bore the name of Charles Dexter Ward, and was placed under restraint... - #6
Save:'The Order of Odd-Fish' by James Kennedy is a whimsical and bizarre adventure following 13-year-old Jo Larouche as she gets entangled in a mysterious plot involving colorful characters, ancient prophecies, and a world filled with absurdity and wonder. The writing style is described as reminiscent of authors like Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman, yet wholly original, with a depth of character and story that captivates readers of all ages. The plot unfolds at a fast pace, blending elements of fantasy and humor to create a compelling and entertaining narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
Except for the ruby palace. If you were blasting down the highway in the middle of the night, somewhere near Dust Creek, you probably wouldn’t even see it. Or just blackness, a red flash in the distan... - #7
Save:The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe is a dark and disturbing short story that is not suitable for children. It is considered one of Poe's most unsettling short stories, featuring a criminal narrator and making readers feel sick rather than scared. The narrative revolves around a protagonist named Lee and his disturbing experiences with his mother and a black cat, leading to unsettling and hard-to-read moments. Despite its unsettling nature, readers find the story compelling and engaging due to its short and compelling format.
For the most wild, yet most homely narrative which I am about to pen, I neither expect nor solicit belief. Mad indeed would I be to expect it, in a case where my very senses reject their own evidence.... - #8
Save:The Darkest Part of the Woods by Ramsey Campbell is a tale set in the small rural town of Brichester, England, focusing on the Price family's fascination with the haunted Goodmanswood forest. Lennox Price's obsession with the forest, stemming from its hallucinogenic growth, leads to a series of events where the forest's supernatural forces cause spiritual and psychological anguish among the characters. Campbell weaves a complex and compelling plot that slowly unravels, luring readers through the mysterious forest with masterful language and imagery, ultimately culminating in a shocking and elusive conclusion that leaves a lingering sense of dread.
HEATHER was scanning into the computer a book that smelled of all its centuries when Randall answered the phone. She looked up to find him holding a finger to his faint smile as if hushing himself unt... - #9
Save:'Bloodstone' in the Kane Collection by Karl Edward Wagner follows the immortal wanderer Kane as he discovers an ancient Pre-human technology known as Bloodstone. This Malevolent Crystalline Intelligence awakens under Kane's influence, leading to a clash of malevolence between the two entities. Described as a mix between Conan the Barbarian, Elric, and biblical Cain, Kane is portrayed as a complex character who is both feared and admired for his power and knowledge. The story weaves together diverse characters into a complete work of sword and sorcery, with Wagner's distinct voice shining through.
For miles uncounted the forest stood supreme. Giant trees reached their branches heavenward, fighting for sunlight and fresh air. Beneath their dense foliage existed another world than that of the ope...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Kane Collection ) - #10
Save:"Last Call" by Tim Powers is a complex and masterfully crafted urban fantasy novel set in Las Vegas, blending elements of magic, poker, and mythology. The story revolves around a battle for godlike power where characters race across the country trying to embody legendary personas while playing a high-stakes game of cards. Powers weaves a tale of myth meeting the mundane, combining the mystic with the banal in a gritty, American-style version of the Fisher King legend.
The writing style in "Last Call" is described as compelling and addictive, with intricate mythology, engaging characters, and a fast-paced plot. Powers skillfully incorporates elements like Tarot, poker, chaos theory, and Egyptian mythology, creating a world where the supernatural intersects with the everyday. The novel is praised for its depth, believability, and the way it explores themes of family, love, and the haunting nature of the past within a fantastical setting.
He knew that out over the desert, visible to any motorists along the lonelier stretches of Boulder Highway, the rain would be twisting in tall, ragged funnels under the clouds; already some flooding h...
