Books matching: existential despair
100 result(s)
- #1
Save:'Murphy' by Samuel Beckett is a novel that follows the wanderings of the protagonist, Murphy, a solipsist who struggles to find meaning beyond his own existence. Born and raised in Dublin and living in London, Murphy avoids employment and eventually finds work at a mental hospital, where he forms an affinity with the inmates. The novel explores themes of sanity, existential despair, and intellectualism through Murphy's unconventional journey and relationships with characters like Celia, Neary, and Miss Counihan. Beckett's lyrical prose and darkly comedic tone create a unique narrative structure that blends comedy and tragedy, showcasing his early experimentation with existential themes.
THE sun shone, having no alternative, on the nothing new. Murphy sat out of it, as though he were free, in a mew in West Brompton. Here for what might have been six months he had eaten, drunk, slept, ... - #2
Save:'Oblivion: Stories' by David Foster Wallace is a collection of short stories that showcases the author's experimental and complex writing style. The stories delve into themes of existential despair, corporate America, the complexities of consciousness, and the emptiness of affluent society. Wallace's narratives are characterized by intricate sentences, recursive stream of consciousness, and a focus on the internal lives of his characters. The stories touch on topics like suicide, childhood trauma, unusual physical deformities, and the illusions of memory.
The Focus Group was then reconvened in another of Reesemeyer Shannon Belt Advertising’s nineteenth-floor conference rooms. Each member returned his Individual Response Profile packets to the facilitat... - #3
Save:Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett is an existential masterpiece that delves into the themes of hope, absurdity, and the passage of time. The play follows two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who are endlessly waiting for someone named Godot. Throughout the play, the characters engage in philosophical discussions, absurd interactions, and comedic wordplay, all while questioning the meaning of their existence and the futility of their wait. Beckett's writing style is minimalist yet profound, capturing the essence of existentialism and the human condition with simplicity and depth.
VLADIMIR: (advancing with short, stiff strides, legs wide apart). I’m beginning to come round to that opinion. All my life I’ve tried to put it from me, saying, Vladimir, be reasonable, you haven’t ye... - #4
Save:'Play It As It Lays' by Joan Didion is a bleak and cold portrayal of Hollywood life through the eyes of actress Maria Wyeth as she navigates a world of unhealthy relationships, depression, and disconnection. The novel is structured in short, intense chapters that convey the emptiness and despair Maria experiences in her life, with a focus on the external rather than the internal emotions of the characters. Didion's writing style is sharp, pointy, and intense, capturing the essence of a generation lost in ennui and disillusionment.
IN THE FIRST HOT MONTH of the fall after the summer she left Carter (the summer Carter left her, the summer Carter stopped living in the house in Beverly Hills), Maria drove the freeway. She dressed e... - #5
Save:'Malone Dies' by Samuel Beckett is a novel that delves into the inner monologue of the protagonist, Malone, as he faces his imminent death. The book explores themes of memory, human nature, aging, and loneliness through Malone's musings and reflections. The narrative is described as bleak, hilarious, and told with a touch of dark humor, providing a vivid depiction of abject loneliness and the physical and mental degradation of the protagonist.
Samuel Beckett wrote the French-language novel Malone meurt between November 1947 and May 1948, at the height of a period of intense creative activity during which he also wrote the other novels of wh... - #6
Save:'The Sunset Limited' by Cormac McCarthy is a thought-provoking piece centered around a dialogue between two characters, Black and White, with opposing beliefs about religion and life. The book delves into deep conversations about faith, the meaning of life, and the human condition. Written in a play format, the story explores themes of existentialism, nihilism, faith, and the complexities of human nature through the interactions between the two characters.
This is a room in a tenement building in a black ghetto in New York City. There is a kitchen with a stove and a large refrigerator. A door to the outer hallway and another presumably to a bedroom. The... - #7
Save:Simone de Beauvoir's 'All Men Are Mortal' tells the tale of an immortal man, Fosca, who embarks on a journey from being part of the nobility in Italy to seeking ultimate success in his endeavors, only to realize the futility and absurdity of eternity. The book explores themes of existentialism, immortality, the passage of time, and the human condition through the experiences of Fosca and Regina, an ambitious actress who becomes obsessed with the idea of immortality through Fosca's memory. The writing style is described as original, fast-paced, and thought-provoking, reminiscent of works by existentialist philosophers such as Camus and Sartre.
- #8
Save:The Seven Madmen by madman Roberto Arlt is a Latin American classic that follows the anti-hero Erdosain on an unhappy trip through Buenos Aires. The novel delves into themes of despair in modern society without spirituality or purpose, exploring the lives of criminals, sociopaths, and man babies who aim to take over the Argentinian government through false propaganda and establish a society based on industry and forced labor. The plot revolves around Erdosain's involvement in a bizarre criminal conspiracy orchestrated by The Astrologer, leading to a mysterious plan for a secret society and the takeover of the country.
Waiting for him were the director, a short squat man with the head of a wild boar, grey hair cropped short in the style of Umberto I of Italy, and an implacable gaze that filtered through grey fish ey... - #9
Save:'Nightwood' by Djuna Barnes is a modernist novel set in expat Paris during the 1930s. The story revolves around complex relationships and characters such as Baron Felix, Robin, Nora, Jenny, and the enigmatic doctor. The narrative delves into themes of love, passion, sexuality, and self-degradation, portrayed through dense prose and dramatic monologues. Barnes' writing style is described as exquisitely crafted, combining various prose styles from different eras, creating a dream-like and gothic atmosphere throughout the book.
Early in 1880, in spite of a well-founded suspicion as to the advisability of perpetuating that race which has the sanction of the Lord and the disapproval of the people, Hedvig Volkbein, a Viennese w... - #10
Save:A Novel with Cocaine by M. Ageyev is a novel that delves into the lives of high school students in Russia on the brink of the Revolution. The story captures the atmosphere of nihilism and uncertainty that surrounds the characters as they face the vanishing world of tsarism. Amidst the turmoil, themes of love, friendship, and the struggle to find meaning in a senseless world are explored. The narrative follows the protagonist, Vadim Maslennikov, through various stages of his life, from school to a marred love affair to his introduction to cocaine, offering insights into the human condition and the complexities of existence.
The writing style in A Novel with Cocaine is described as stark and Russian, reminiscent of classic Russian literature. The plot unfolds gradually, with vivid details and unsettling descriptions that delve into the depths of human emotions and experiences. The author, M. Ageyev, is praised for his ability to capture the raw and sensitive aspects of life, presenting a narrative that is both honest and thought-provoking.
