Books matching: early 20th century setting
100 result(s)
- #1
Save:'Look Homeward, Angel' by Thomas Wolfe is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows the life of Eugene Gant, a young man growing up in the mountains of North Carolina in the early 1900s. The narrative delves into Eugene's boyhood and coming of age, exploring his complex family dynamics, his restless yearning for something more, and his struggle to find his place in the world. The writing style is described as ornate and rich, with detailed descriptions and flights of wordy fancy that capture the reader's imagination.
A destiny that leads the English to the Dutch is strange enough; but one that leads from Epsom into Pennsylvania, and thence into the hills that shut in Altamont over the proud coral cry of the cock, ... - #2
Save:In "Coming Through Slaughter," Michael Ondaatje offers a fictionalized account of the life of Buddy Bolden, a New Orleans jazz musician. The narrative delves into Bolden's descent into madness, his struggles with creativity and self-destructive behavior, and his eventual hospitalization in the Louisiana State Insane Asylum. Ondaatje's writing style mirrors Bolden's music, with fragmented storytelling techniques that capture both the fame and turmoil in Bolden's life.
Ondaatje masterfully weaves reality and fiction, creating a novel that blurs the lines between nonfiction and fiction. Through poetic prose and a keen sense of emotional description, the author explores themes of art, life, history, and madness in the context of Buddy Bolden's life. The book offers a unique narrative approach, utilizing jump cuts, montage techniques, and alternating points of view to convey the complexities of Bolden's story and the interplay between art and life.
Back then, Webb, there was the world of the Joseph Shaving Parlor. The brown freckles suspended in the old barber-shop mirror. This is what I saw in them. Myself and the room. Nora’s plant that came a... - #3
Save:"Zeno's Conscience" by Italo Svevo is a psychological novel written in a journal style, featuring a neurotic narrator named Zeno Cosini. The book delves into Zeno's introspective musings on various aspects of his life, including his struggles with smoking, the death of his father, his marriage, his affair, and his business dealings. Through the unreliable narration of Zeno, the reader gets a glimpse into his self-delusions, hypocrisies, and attempts to understand his own psyche. Set in the city of Trieste, the book captures the essence of life in the early 20th century, showcasing a mix of humor, neuroticism, and self-reflection.
Zeno's character is portrayed as selfish, cynical, and ironic, yet also likable and relatable in his flawed humanity. The book weaves together themes of love, business, family dynamics, and psychoanalysis, creating a narrative that is both humorous and insightful. The writing style of "Zeno's Conscience" is described as a mix of wit, self-consciousness, and psychological depth, presenting a unique blend of humor and introspection that keeps the reader engaged throughout the story.
Sometimes the eye falls upon a dusty volume on the shelves, a book read more than once but not for some years. And there it was: Zeno’s Conscience, by Italo Svevo, published in Italian in 1923 and in ... - #4
Save:Tracks by Louise Erdrich is a novel set in the early 20th century North Dakota, focusing on an Ojibwe community facing crises such as loss of traditions, land, and livelihood due to government policies and encroaching white settlers. The story is narrated alternately by Nanapush, an elder in the community, and Pauline, a woman dealing with trauma and loss. The novel delves into the lives of characters like Fleur, a strong and independent woman whose actions draw both suspicion and admiration from the community. Through a non-linear narrative structure, the book explores the impact of historical events on the native community, with a focus on themes of survival, betrayal, and cultural preservation.
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Love Medicine ) - #5
Save:Our hero, Lord Dawlish, is told that he has inherited a lot of money from an eccentric American millionaire whom he helped with his golf game. When his offer to share the money with the man's niece is rebuffed, he travels to Long Island to try and convince her in person. Meanwhile, Lord Dawlish's fiancée, an actress who aspires to wealth and status, also arrives in New York. He finds himself in his early twenties in possession of a title, but not of a fortune, as the family assets have been entirely dissipated by a succession of improvident forebears. However, he has little interest in luxuries and so he is untroubled by this impecunious state. Genial but broke Lord Dawlish inherits a vast sum from a near stranger whom he helped with his golf technique and sets off to restore at least part of the fortune to the person he considers its rightful possessor - the niece of the deceased. The plot is a strong farce, with people appearing and disappearing from view, hearing things they shouldn't from behind pillars, and being in the wrong room at the wrong time. It's well-paced and has a good cast of amusing characters.
In a day in June, at the hour when London moves abroad in quest of lunch, a young man stood at the entrance of the Bandolero Restaurant looking earnestly up Shaftesbury Avenue--a large young man in ex... - #6
Save:"The Ghost Belonged to Me" by Richard Peck is a children's classic that tells the story of Alexander Armsworth, a 12-year-old boy who discovers a ghost of a young Creole girl in his parents' barn. With the help of his classmate Blossom, Alexander uncovers a cryptic warning from the ghost about a looming disaster and embarks on a mission to help her find peace. Set in 1913 in Bluff City, Missouri, the novel weaves together elements of mystery, humor, and historical fiction as Alexander navigates his family's societal expectations and his interactions with spirits from beyond.
As it turned out, our meeting place was right outside Nirider’s Notions store that does a penny candy business. Blossom was looking hard at Nirider’s window. But I walked right on by, brushing against... - #7
Save:In "The Other Guy's Bride" by Connie Brockway, the story is set in Egypt and follows the adventures of Ginny, a feisty and accident-prone British heroine who poses as a proper English lady in need of an escort through the desert. She is accompanied by Jim Owens, a half-English, half-American mercenary with a mysterious past. As they journey across the desert, their attraction grows stronger despite both keeping secrets about their true identities. The plot is filled with adventure, humor, and misunderstandings that test their courage and passion, set against the backdrop of Egypt in the early 20th century.
The book is praised for its engaging characters, witty dialogue, and vivid descriptions of Egypt and its pyramids. Readers commend the chemistry between Ginny and Jim, the humor in their banter, and the intensity of their attraction. The story is a blend of romance, adventure, and humor, with a strong focus on the development of the relationship between the protagonists amidst a treacherous journey across the desert.
“People don’t die of seasickness, Miss Whimpelhall,” Ginesse Braxton said. She wasn’t absolutely certain of this, but she had long held the belief that a thing only counted as a lie if you knew it to ...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Braxton ) 'The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King' by Rich Cohen tells the story of Sam Zemurray, a successful immigrant who became known as the Banana King. Zemurray's journey from arriving in the United States to taking over the United Fruit Company is depicted as a tale of ambition, business strategy, and overcoming challenges. delves into the complexities of the banana business, Zemurray's entrepreneurial spirit, and his impact on Central America and American business history.
Sam Zemurray saw his first banana in 1893. In the lore, this is presented as a moment of clarity, wherein the future was revealed. In some versions, the original banana is presented as a platonic idea...- #9
Save:Sacrificial Axe is a true crime novella focusing on the Louisiana Axe Murders of 1911-12. The book delves into the heinous and widespread killings of entire families in western Louisiana and east Texas by a mysterious killer or killers using an axe as the murder weapon. The story unfolds with the arrest and conviction of an 18-year-old woman named Clementine Barnabet, who confessed to one murder and claimed ties to a voodoo cult, but doubts remain about whether she was the sole perpetrator. The narrative intertwines historical facts about life in the Deep South in the early 1900s with the panic of the population and the frustrations of the investigating policemen. The book is described as a well-researched and detailed account that reads more like a novel than a typical true crime report.
- #10
Save:Bad Boy by Jim Thompson is an autobiographical account of the author's early years, from boyhood to early adulthood. It delves into Thompson's shenanigans during his schooldays, his adventures in various early jobs, and his experiences working as a bellboy in a midwestern hotel in the early 1920s. The book provides insights into Thompson's upbringing, his struggles with poverty, and his journey towards fulfilling his passion for writing fiction. Through short chapters, Thompson paints a vivid picture of his colorful early life, laying the foundation for many of the characters and themes that would later appear in his novels.
The narrative in Bad Boy is described as raw, humorous, and occasionally tender. Thompson's writing style is commended for its honesty and lack of pretension, offering readers a glimpse into his formative years with vivid and detailed descriptions of the people and events that shaped him. The book is praised for its entertainment value, addictive quality, and the way it sheds light on the origins of Thompson's dark and twisted storytelling.
