Books matching: dreamlike narrative
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- #1
Save:'The Claw of the Conciliator' by Gene Wolfe is the second installment in 'The Book of the New Sun' series. The book follows the protagonist Severian on a journey through a strange world filled with surrealism and complex storylines. Severian's adventures lead him to the House Absolute, the castle of the Autarch, where he encounters feverish action sequences and symbolic meanings. The narrative style is described as phantasmagoric, with elements of science fiction and fantasy blending seamlessly to create a unique reading experience.
Morwenna's face floated in the single beam of light, lovely and framed in hair dark as my cloak; blood from her neck pattered to the stones. Her lips moved without speech. Instead I saw framed within ...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Book of the New Sun ) - #2
Save:Finnegans Wake is a challenging and unconventional piece of literature, often described as a dreamlike stream of consciousness journey through the minds of various characters. The book is filled with complex wordplay, multi-layered meanings, and references to a wide range of cultural, historical, and mythological sources. It defies traditional narrative structures and presents a unique reading experience that requires careful attention and multiple readings to fully grasp its depth and richness.
Every evening at lighting up o’clock sharp and until further notice in Feenichts Playhouse. (Bar and conveniences always open, Diddlem Club douncestears.) Entrancings: gads, a scrab; the quality, one ... - #3
Save:'A Sport and a Pastime' by James Salter is a sensual and erotic novel set in 1960s France, narrated by an unnamed bystander who tells the story of the relationship between an American man named Dean Phillips and a French girl named Anne Marie. The novel explores their love affair, travels across France, and the emotional evolution of their imagined relationship. Salter's writing style is described as beautiful, with a focus on observing and describing the commonplace aspects of existence, while also incorporating elements of surrealism and eroticism.
SEPTEMBER. IT SEEMS THESE luminous days will never end. The city, which was almost empty during August, now is filling up again. It is being replenished. The restaurants are all reopening, the shops. ... - #4
Save:The Moor's Account by Laila Lalami is a historical fiction novel that follows the story of Mustafa al Zamori, a Moroccan slave renamed Estebanico, who survives a disastrous Spanish expedition to Florida. The book vividly describes the journey of the expedition, the interactions with Native American tribes, and the struggles for survival in the New World. Through the eyes of the protagonist, readers are exposed to the brutal realities of colonization, the clash of cultures, and the quest for freedom amidst adversity. Lalami's writing style intertwines meticulous research with imaginative storytelling, offering a fresh perspective on a historical event often overlooked in traditional narratives.
It was the year 934 of the Hegira, the thirtieth year of my life, the fifth year of my bondage—and I was at the edge of the known world. I was marching behind Señor Dorantes in a lush territory he, an... - #5
Save:Gustav Meyrink's 'The Golem' is a haunting Gothic tale set in Prague's Medieval Jewish Ghetto, revolving around the protagonist Athanasius Pernath, an amnesiac gem cutter, and his quest for identity. The story is filled with mysterious characters, including a red-headed prostitute, a junk dealer, and a deaf-mute silhouette artist, all connected to the enigmatic figure of the Golem, a creature of rabbinical myth that comes to life every 33 years. The novel blurs the boundaries between dreams and reality, madness and sanity, while exploring themes of stolen identity, persecution, and self-discovery in a strange underworld peopled by fantastical beings.
The initial was not stuck onto the page, as I had previously seen in old books; rather, it seemed to consist of two thin pieces of gold leaf welded together in the middle and with their ends wrapped r... - #6
Save:Ombria in Shadow by Patricia A. McKillip is a beautifully written fantasy novel set in a kingdom facing turmoil after the death of the prince. The story follows a cast of characters including a young prince, a plotting great aunt, a royal bastard, a mysterious sorceress, and her assistant, all intertwined in political maneuverings and secrets. The narrative explores the mystery of Ombria, a city with a shadowy existence, blending elements of power seeking, magic, ghosts, and political intrigue. McKillip's writing style is described as poetic, lush, and detailed, with a focus on character development and rich storytelling.
While the ruler of the ancient city of Ombria lay dying, his mistress, frozen out of the room by the black stare of Domina Pearl, drifted like a bird on a wave until she bumped through Kyel Greve’s un... - #7
Save:'Weetzie Bat' by Francesca Lia Block is a modern-day fairy tale set in Los Angeles, following the whimsical adventures of Weetzie and her friends as they navigate love, unconventional family dynamics, and serious issues such as AIDS and nontraditional relationships. The book is described as a fantasy-colored, glittering tale with heavy and important topics woven into the narrative, creating a unique blend of magical realism and gritty realism. The characters, including Weetzie and her best friend Dirk, form their own family through love and acceptance, facing challenges with a positive outlook and belief in the power of love.
The writing style of 'Weetzie Bat' is often likened to a beautiful, sad, and gritty fairy tale, with elements of magical realism and poetic hipster language that add depth to the story. The book touches on serious and controversial issues like homosexuality, AIDS, and nontraditional family structures in a matter-of-fact tone, shedding light on these topics in a thought-provoking manner while maintaining a bright and magical setting in Los Angeles.
- #8
Save:'The Arabian Nightmare' by Robert Irwin is a complex and dreamlike narrative set in Cairo, Egypt, during the era of 1406. The story follows a traveler named Balian who becomes ensnared in a mysterious force known as The Arabian Nightmare, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The plot intricately weaves together multiple narratives involving rich and varied characters such as arab mages, assassins, and talking monkeys, set against a backdrop of political intrigue between the Ottomans and the Mamelukes. The vivid descriptions of old Cairo, with its claustrophobic and menacing atmosphere, create a surreal and thought-provoking reading experience.
The writing style of 'The Arabian Nightmare' is intentionally slow, confusing, and complex, drawing readers into a labyrinthine tale filled with dreams, magic, and shifting realities. The narrative structure, reminiscent of the Arabian Nights, presents a series of interconnected stories within stories, blurring the boundaries between fantasy and reality. Through the eyes of various narrators, the reader navigates through a maze of overlapping narratives, experiencing a journey that challenges logic and reasoning, yet rewards with a compelling and immersive exploration of Middle Eastern history, mythology, and mystery.
- #9
Save:"Untold Night and Day" by Bae Suah is a surreal and experimental novel that follows Ayami, an actress, on a journey through the hot, dark streets of Seoul. The story blurs the lines between reality and imagination, with recurring characters and motifs that challenge the reader to question the connections and meanings behind them. The prose is described as sleek and dreamlike, creating a narrative that feels like a jungle cat - powerful and captivating, yet elusive in its full understanding.
The novel unfolds in a cyclical and confusing manner, with events seen through the window of a car driving at night, where characters merge into each other and surreal dreams blend with reality. As the day progresses, the heat and humidity increase, adding to the surreal quality of the story. The translator's note by Deborah Smith enhances the novel, elevating it to another realm and providing insights into the motifs and imagery that intensify as the story reaches its peak.
With the lights off, the interior of the auditorium seemed as though submerged in murky water. Objects, matter itself, were softly disintegrating. All identity became ambiguous, semi-opaque. Not only ... - #10
Save:'Sleep Pale Sister' by Joanne Harris is a gothic novel set in Victorian England, telling the story of a painter, Henry Chester, who marries his favorite model, Effie. The book explores themes of lust, drugs, madness, revenge, and murder, with a narrative that is described as dreamlike and murky. The plot unfolds through the perspectives of various characters, revealing dark secrets, obsessions, and a chilling high gothic tale.
DON’T LOOK AT me that way – I can’t bear it! You’re thinking how much I have changed. You see the young man in the picture, his clear, pale brow, curling dark hair, his untroubled eyes – and you wonde...
