Books matching: dreamlike atmosphere
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- #1
Enchanted Night by Steven Millhauser is a novella that delves into the lives of forgotten people and objects in a small town in Connecticut. The narrative unfolds on a hot summer night, where various characters, both animate and inanimate, are portrayed with delicate intricacy. The book explores the paradoxical nature of the people of the night, who come alive when most are asleep, seeking something more while being trapped in the bubble of night. The story is more about atmosphere, memories, and myth, inviting readers to float upon lyrical prose and rekindle a sense of wonder felt in childhood and adolescence.
The novella progresses by introducing different characters in a seemingly random manner, with no clear protagonists or antagonists. The brief chapters create a mood that wraps itself around the reader, evoking the world of the Unconscious and its mysteries. The writing style is described as poetic, whimsical, and magical, akin to a vivid dream capturing both longing and melancholy, reminding readers of the depth of human existence beyond mundane duties and obligations.
Haverstraw sits on the worn maroon couch with its faint shine on the curve of the right arm. Beside him on the lamp table a glass of ice water rests on a cork-bottomed coaster with a white-tiled top p... - #2
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a magical tale set in a mysterious circus that appears at night, showcasing wonders and illusions that captivate visitors. The story revolves around two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who are pawns in a larger game orchestrated by their mentors. As the competition unfolds, the circus becomes the stage for their magical duel, intertwining their fates and the lives of those around them. The narrative weaves together elements of mystery, romance, and fantasy, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that transports readers to a world filled with enchantment and intrigue.
The writing style of The Night Circus is described as rich in imagery, with vivid descriptions that bring the circus to life in the reader's mind. The book is praised for its unique structure, alternating between different points of view and time frames, creating a sense of fluidity and adding depth to the storytelling. Despite some opinions noting the complexity of the plot and characters, the book is commended for its imaginative world-building, engaging prose, and the magical love story between Celia and Marco that unfolds amidst the backdrop of the enchanting circus.
The man billed as Prospero the Enchanter receives a fair amount of correspondence via the theater office, but this is the first envelope addressed to him that contains a suicide note, and it is also t... - #3
A Dreamer's Tales by Lord Dunsany is a collection of enchanting and whimsical stories that transport readers to mysterious and dreamlike realms. The writing style is described as poetic and descriptive, with each tale painting a unique and vivid picture filled with melancholic whimsy. The stories often involve magical journeys towards uncertain endings, reminiscent of the works of H.P. Lovecraft, and are praised for their dreamy, timeless, and mythic feel.
Toldees, Mondath, Arizim, these are the Inner Lands, the lands whose sentinels upon their borders do not behold the sea. Beyond them to the east there lies a desert, for ever untroubled by man: all ye... 'Frontier' by Can Xue is a complex and challenging novel that takes readers on a nonlinear journey through Pebble Town at the base of Snow Mountain. The story unfolds over several decades, not in chronological order, focusing on the interactions of a diverse set of characters in a mysterious and symbolic world. The writing style is described as ghostly and nonlinear, with ordinary paragraphs leading to unexpected narrative directions, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that keeps the reader intrigued.
It was late. Liujin stood there, leaning against the wooden door. The ripe grapes hanging on the arbors flickered with a slight fluorescence in the moonlight. Blowing in the wind, the leaves of the ol...- #5
Little, Big by John Crowley is a fantastical novel that follows the lives of the Drinkwater Barnable family, who reside in an enchanted wood with a house of many doors called Edgewood. The story weaves through generations, revealing their ties to the Faery world and the mysterious happenings within their family. Characters like Smoky Barnable, Daily Alice Drinkwater, and Auberon are central to the intricate narrative that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. The writing style is poetic, meandering, and filled with allusions, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that immerses readers into a world of magic and mystery.
A little later, remembering man's earthly origin, 'dust thou art and to dust thou shalt return,' they liked to fancy themselves bubbles of earth. When alone in the fields, with no one to see them, the... Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins by Emma Donoghue is a collection of fairy tales retold from a feminist and lesbian perspective. The stories are interconnected, with each tale picking up from the character of the previous one. The book focuses on the relationships between female characters, whether romantic, antagonistic, or familial, offering new perspectives on well-known fairy tales like Cinderella, Rapunzel, and The Little Mermaid.
The writing style of Kissing the Witch is described as beautiful, simple, and dark. The author captures the essence of the oral tradition of fairy tales while focusing on the women in the stories. The characters are portrayed as empowered and real, with each woman telling her tale being flawed and nuanced. The book challenges cultural expectations and stereotypes ingrained in traditional fairy tales, offering thought-provoking moments and reimagining familiar stories through a feminist and lesbian lens.
Ever since my mother died the feather bed felt hard as a stone floor. Every word that came out of my mouth limped away like a toad. Whatever I put on my back now turned to sackcloth and chafed my skin...- #7
The Nest by Kenneth Oppel is a fantasy chapter book that follows the story of a boy named Steve who is dealing with anxiety and OCD, while also coping with his newborn baby brother's severe health problems. Steve is visited in his dreams by a wasp queen who offers to fix his baby brother, but as the story progresses, Steve realizes the true intentions of the wasps and must face his fears to protect his brother. The book is described as a suspenseful and thrilling horror story that blurs the line between reality and dreams, with themes of acceptance, courage, and the complexities of family dynamics.
THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH the baby, but no one knew what. Not us, not the doctors. After a week in the hospital, Mom and Dad were allowed to bring the baby home, but almost every day they had to ... - #8
'A Voyage to Arcturus' by David Lindsay is a surreal and inventive novel that follows the protagonist, Maskull, on a metaphysical journey to the planet Tormance orbiting the twin stars of Arcturus. The story delves into themes of reality, faith, and the nature of existence, with bizarre and eccentric elements such as new colors, strange body transformations, and encounters with enigmatic characters. Lindsay's writing style is described as unique, imaginative, and at times, philosophical, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that challenges traditional storytelling norms.
On a march evening, at eight o'clock, Backhouse, the medium - a fast - rising star in the psychic world - was ushered into the study at Prolands, the Hampstead residence of Montague Faull. The room wa... - #9
Faye, Faraway by Helen Fisher is a contemporary sci-fi novel that explores the concept of time travel in a unique and creative way. The story follows Faye, an adult who time travels back to her childhood and meets her deceased mother and her younger self. Readers are taken on an emotional journey filled with themes of grief, guilt, and self-discovery, all wrapped up in a narrative that is beautifully written and thought-provoking. The plot unfolds slowly, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that allows for a deep exploration of Faye's inner struggles and emotional complexities.
It’s a sad place to start my incredible little story, but please don’t misunderstand me: I love my life. I’m quite an ordinary thirtysomething woman with two daughters and a husband, Eddie, who’s trai... - #10
'Kafka on the Shore' by Haruki Murakami is a surreal and fantastical tale that intertwines the stories of a 15-year-old boy named Kafka and an elderly man named Nakata. The narrative weaves between Kafka's journey of self-discovery and Nakata's mystical quest, incorporating elements of magical realism such as talking cats, fish raining from the sky, and encounters with enigmatic characters like Colonel Sanders and Johnnie Walker. The book explores themes of adolescence, identity, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy, all presented in Murakami's signature minimalist writing style that creates a haunting and compelling world for the characters to navigate.
The novel is a complex and layered narrative that delves into the characters' inner turmoil and existential questions, inviting readers to ponder deeper meanings and metaphors embedded within the text. Murakami's storytelling unfolds through multiple storylines that converge in mysterious ways, offering a blend of myth, imagery, and philosophy that keeps readers engaged and questioning the boundaries of the ordinary and the extraordinary.
Cash isn't the only thing I take from my father's study when I leave home. I take a small, old gold lighter—I like the design and feel of it—and a folding knife with a really sharp blade. Made to skin...