Books matching: early 20th century setting
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- #1
Save:Charming, funny, and just a bit spooky - a delightful, quick read for fans of vintage ghost tales and historical adventures. Perfect for middle grade and up!
"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...January 1975•177 pages - #2
Save:An impressionistic, lyrical journey into the mind of a jazz pioneer - rewarding, haunting, and best for readers who embrace literary risks and poetic storytelling.
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...1976•173 pages - #3
Save:An influential, lyrical classic - a must for fans of American literary history, but you’ll need patience for its dense style and dated attitudes.
'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,...January 1929•635 pages - #4
Save:A delightfully messy, clever, and humane novel - perfect for fans of introspective, unreliable narrators and anyone curious about the roots of modern psychological fiction.
"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...1923•470 pages - #5
Save:A haunting, poetic journey through loss and resilience - challenging at times, but richly rewarding for those who dive in.
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.
- #6
Save:A charming, slightly more heartfelt Wodehouse romp - uneven in laughs but rich in wit and old-fashioned fun. Not his absolute best, but still a delightful comedy for fans and newcomers alike.
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...1916•273 pages - #7
Save:A lively, romantic escapade perfect for light reading - come for the chemistry and humor, stay if you don't mind a few stumbles on historical details.
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... - #8
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.
My earliest recollections arc of being pinched. Not in the figurative sense, but actually. I was an awkward, large-headed tot, much prone to stuttering and stumbling over my own feet. My sister Maxine...1953•213 pages A fascinating and wild true story that peels back the layers of business, politics, and power - all with surprising historical twists. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the lesser-told stories of American and global history.
'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...June 2012•289 pages- #10
Save:An inventive, genre-blending romp that's fun and mysterious - best for readers who love their historical fiction with a magical twist and don’t mind a few lingering mysteries.
Set in 1906, the book follows Miss Emmeline Truelove, the personal secretary to the Duke of Olympia, as she embarks on a journey to Greece to locate the heir, Maximilian Haywood, accompanied by the charmingly corrupt Lord Silverton. The plot intertwines mythology, time travel, romance, and mystery, with the duo facing obstacles and uncovering secrets during their quest. The story is told in a mix of first-person narrative and excerpts from a book dated 1921, adding depth to the historical mystery and travel elements.
The Lady spared not a glance for the gross and bloated body of her husband the Prince as she rose from their bed, but stepped instead into the antechamber and called for her handmaids to dress her. Wh...October 2016•456 pages
