Books matching: existential musings
89 result(s)
'Taipei' by Tao Lin is a novel that follows the life of Paul, a twenty-something author living in Manhattan, who navigates his way through life using a combination of drugs and medications. The story unfolds as Paul drifts through literary events, restaurants, and travels to Taiwan, all the while forming relationships and indulging in drug use. The narrative style is described as paragraph-long sentences broken up with commas and em dashes, requiring re-reading to fully comprehend, providing a glimpse into Lin's own life and musings on technology, life, emotions, and relationships.
It began raining a little from a hazy, cloudless-seeming sky as Paul, 26, and Michelle, 21, walked toward Chelsea to attend a magazine-release party in an art gallery. Paul had resigned to not speakin...'A Little Larger Than the Entire Universe: Selected Poems' by Fernando Pessoa is a collection of poetry that delves into philosophical themes and explores the importance of sensations over reason. The poems are described as deep and thought-provoking, written with immense sensitivity and exploring a wide range of emotions. Pessoa's writing style is praised for its uniqueness and depth, with the poet using different heteronyms to convey varying perspectives and voices within the poems.
Old and enormous are the stars. Old and small is the heart, and it Holds more than all the stars, being, Without space, greater than the vast expanse. FROM PESSOA’S RUBA’IYAT IN THE MANNER OF OMAR KHA...- #3
'Archy and Mehitabel' by Don Marquis is a collection of short stories written from the perspective of Archy, a cockroach who was a reincarnated free verse poet, and Mehitabel, an alley cat who claimed to be Cleopatra in a past life. The stories provide observations about life, social commentary, and the interactions between the two unique characters. The writing style is witty, humorous, and poignant, capturing the essence of the characters' personalities and their outlook on the world around them.
- #4
Motherhood by Sheila Heti is a contemplative exploration of the decision-making process around whether or not to have children. The unnamed narrator, a woman in her thirties, delves into the complexities of societal pressures, personal desires, and familial legacies that influence her stance on motherhood. Through the lens of autofiction, the book navigates themes of self-reflection, existential questioning, and the internal struggle of defining one's purpose in life.
Heti's writing style in Motherhood is characterized by a blend of introspection, emotional depth, and philosophical musings. The narrative grapples with the weighty topic of motherhood with a mix of vulnerability and honesty, drawing readers into the narrator's internal turmoil and the intricate web of emotions surrounding the decision to have children. The use of oracular coin tossing, dream recounting, and introspective monologues adds a layer of introspective complexity to the storyline, offering a unique perspective on the protagonist's journey of self-discovery.
This afternoon, a psychic lady—a spiritual healer or fraud—stopped me on the street as I stood in the West Village, window-shopping after an interview. The interview had been conducted by a reporter w... - #5
'Nothing to Be Frightened of' by Julian Barnes is a contemplative exploration of death, God, memory, and the art of fiction. The book delves into Barnes' personal reflections on mortality, his existential fears, and his agnostic beliefs. Through anecdotes, quotes, and musings on various French literary figures, Barnes ponders on the meaning of death, existence, and the human experience. The writing style is conversational, introspective, and at times humorous, inviting readers to eavesdrop on Barnes' internal dialogue as he grapples with the inevitability of death.
I don’t believe in God, but I miss Him. That’s what I say when the question is put. I asked my brother, who has taught philosophy at Oxford, Geneva, and the Sorbonne, what he thought of such a stateme... - #6
'A Box of Matches' by Nicholson Baker is a novel that delves into the minutiae of one person's daily life through reflections on morning rituals, family dynamics, and observations of mundane activities like starting a fire and washing dishes. The book captures the beauty of simplicity and human experiences, with a focus on small details that evoke a sense of nostalgia and reflection on the ordinary aspects of life.
The book is described as a quiet and introspective narrative that may seem uneventful on the surface, but is filled with poignant reflections and subtle humor that make the reader contemplate the small moments that shape our lives. The writing style is meditative and observant, drawing the reader into the narrator's world of domestic routines and personal reflections, creating an atmosphere that lingers long after the book is finished.
Good morning, it’s January and it’s 4:17 a.m., and I’m going to sit here in the dark. I’m in the living room in my blue bathrobe, with an armchair pulled up to the fireplace. There isn’t much in the w... - #7
'Wittgenstein's Nephew' by Thomas Bernhard is a semiautobiographical novel that delves into the 10-year friendship between the author and Paul Wittgenstein, nephew of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. The narrative unfolds in hospital wards where the two friends lie adjacent to each other, with the narrator in a ward for dying lung patients and Paul in the mental ward due to his mental disorder. Through scathing passages directed at doctors, psychiatrists, and Austrian society, Bernhard reflects on his friendship with Paul, capturing their shared love for philosophy, music, and their struggles with illnesses. The book's unique writing style, characterized by a long uninterrupted paragraph, offers a poignant exploration of friendship, mortality, and the author's introspective reflections.
'The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow' by Jerome K. Jerome is a collection of musings, humorous anecdotes, and philosophical reflections. The writing alternates between being humorous and sentimental, touching on a variety of topics that are relatable to every human being. The book offers a glimpse into Jerome's observations on life, society, and human behavior, providing a mix of funny, philosophical, and sometimes poetic insights.
In this collection, Jerome K. Jerome weaves together a series of essays that explore themes such as idleness, vanity, memory, and the complexities of human nature. Through his witty and astute observations, the author invites readers to reflect on the quirks of everyday life, offering a blend of humor and thought-provoking insights that resonate with a wide range of readers.
Now, this is a subject on which I flatter myself I really am au fait.The gentleman who, when I was young, bathed me at wisdom's font for nineguineas a term—no extras—used to say he never knew a boy wh...- #9
'Way Station' by Clifford D. Simak is a science fiction novel that follows the story of Enoch Wallace, a Civil War veteran living in Wisconsin who is chosen to operate a way station for intergalactic travelers on Earth. Despite being over a hundred years old and not aging, Enoch must navigate his quiet life and the complexities of his role as a keeper of the station, all while facing threats to the galactic federation and decisions about Earth's future. The book explores themes of identity, humanity, and the consequences of violence through Enoch's introspective journey and interactions with various alien species.
The noise was ended now. The smoke drifted like thin, gray wisps of fog above the tortured earth and the shattered fences and the peach trees that had been whittled into toothpicks by the cannon fire.... - #10
'Toll the Hounds' in the 'Malazan Book of the Fallen' series by Steven Erikson is a complex and intricate installment that seems to have divided readers. The story explores various plot lines and characters, including returning to Darujhistan and focusing on Malazans, Cutter, Kruppe, and Anomander Rake. is described as slow-paced with a mix of positive and negative elements, culminating in a bittersweet ending that brings disparate characters together in a devastating way. The writing style is noted for experimenting with different voices, such as Kruppe's narrative in Darujhistan, which some readers found indulgent while others appreciated the change.
'I have no name for this town,' the ragged man said, hands plucking at the frayed hems of what had once been an opulent cloak. Coiled and tucked into his braided belt was a length of leather leash, ro...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Malazan Book of the Fallen )