Books matching: experimental fiction
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- #1
Save:'The Cannibal' by John Hawkes is a masterpiece of oblique anxiety and despair, featuring events that are much more unhinged than in Kafka, with whom Hawkes is sometimes compared. The writing style is described as heavy on symbolism, shooting back and forth from Germany in 1918 to 1945, reminiscent of Ageyev or Böll. The novel presents a surreal nightmare atmosphere, with a plot that is challenging and compelling, set in the chaotic aftermath of Post World War II Germany and earlier in World War I. The narrative is described as fragmented, with intensely poetic detail that the reader must stitch together to make sense of the story.
Beyond the edge of town, past tar-covered poor houses and a low hill bare except for fallen electric poles, was the institution, and it sent its delicate and isolated buildings trembling over the grav... "House Mother Normal: A Geriatric Comedy" by B.S. Johnson is an experimental novel that delves into the events of a social evening in an old folks home. The story is narrated by different residents of the home, each with varying degrees of cognitive impairment, in chapters that are exactly 21 pages long. The final chapter is narrated by the house mother, who is also an unreliable narrator, leaving the reader to infer what truly transpired. The writing style employs stream of consciousness, providing a unique and intriguing perspective on the events that unfold within the care home.
The structure of the book involves telling the same events from the perspective of different characters, showcasing the residents' varying levels of lucidity, attention spans, and sensory acuity. The narrative style challenges the reader to piece together the story by flipping back and forth between the residents' accounts, creating a layered and complex portrayal of life in the care home. Despite the dark themes of mockery and sadism by the house mother, the book also incorporates light-hearted elements such as memories of youthful escapades, making it a thought-provoking and multi-faceted read.
age 74 marital status widow sight 60% hearing 75% touch 70% taste 85% smell 50% movement 85% CQ count 10 pathology contractures; incipient hallux valgus; osteo-arthritis; suspected late paraphrenia; a...- #3
Save:'Demon Theory' by Stephen Graham Jones is a violent and mind-bending novel that turns old horror tropes on their head. The story is presented in a unique format, almost as a treatment for a screenplay or a book for a musical, with interconnected footnotes full of pop culture references. The book is described as a trilogy that reads like a movie sequel, familiar yet wholly original, with characters who are somewhat aware that they are part of the horror genre.
As Jon Bon Jovi says in his version of it recorded with Guns N’ Roses, about a hundred people—including Clapton, Jerry Garcia, Roger Waters, Tom Petty, Bob Marley, Zeppelin—have done this song, but st... - #4
Save:Pitch Dark by Renata Adler is a novel divided into three sections, following the story of Kate Ennis and her tumultuous relationship with a married man. The narrative is nonlinear and fragmented, exploring themes of unrequited love and self-reflection as Kate navigates through her emotions and experiences in Ireland and London. Adler's writing style is described as sharp, witty, and satirical, creating a sense of unease and surprise for the reader while maintaining a pleasurable reading experience.
My back went up, Viola Teagarden used to say, with a little thrill of self-importance, pride and pleasure, head raised, nostrils flaring, back straightening slightly, as though she had received a smal... - #5
Save:"The End of the Story" by Lydia Davis is a novel that delves into the complexities of memory, writing, and relationships. The unnamed narrator, a writer, embarks on a journey to capture the essence of her past relationship with a younger man through a novel within a novel. The book explores themes of love, obsession, and the blurred lines between reality and creative processes. The writing style is introspective, revealing the narrator's struggles with memory and the challenges of recreating past events.
The narrative unfolds as the narrator reflects on her past, questioning the accuracy of her memories and the impact of emotions on storytelling. Through a minimalist approach, Davis crafts a story that is both detached and deeply sympathetic, allowing readers to witness the narrator's journey of self-discovery and emotional turmoil. The book offers a unique exploration of the writing process, memory, and the complexities of human relationships.
The last time I saw him, though I did not know it would be the last, I was sitting on the terrace with a friend and he came through the gate sweating, his face and chest pink, his hair damp, and stopp... - #6
Save:'The Town' by Shaun Prescott is a unique and thought-provoking novel that delves into themes of existential nihilism, self-awareness, and the search for purpose in life. Set in a small town on the edges of the Australian desert, the story follows an unnamed narrator who embarks on a journey to research disappearing towns, only to find himself caught in a surreal and absurd world where meaning and purpose seem elusive. The novel's nontraditional format, lack of direct dialogue, and uncanny observations create a tense atmosphere that challenges readers to ponder the value of human existence and the consequences of a civilization losing its intrinsic worth.
It was only possible after many years in the town to notice the strangeness of certain aspects of familiar visions. Only then could you stand at the foot of a quiet street and at a certain time of day... - #7
Save:'Fugue State' by Zak Sally and Brian B.K. Evenson is a collection of dark and surreal short stories that explore themes of paranoia, amnesia, and loss. The writing style is described as outstanding, experimental, and uncanny, bringing to life uncanny worlds with great atmosphere and tension. The stories vary dramatically in length, straddling the boundary between experimental literary fiction and genres such as weird fantasy, horror, and slipstream. Readers have drawn comparisons to authors like Poe, Kafka, and David Lynch due to the weird and unsettling nature of the narratives.
Years later, she was still calling her sister, trying to understand what exactly had happened. It still made no sense to her, but her sister, older, couldn’t help. Her sister had completely forgotten—... - #8
Save:Hopscotch by Julio Cortazar is a complex novel that offers multiple reading paths for the reader. The story follows Horacio Oliveira, an Argentine intellectual living in Paris in the 1950s, who becomes involved with a woman named La Maga. Tragic events lead to his return to Argentina, where he navigates guilt and friendships with a married couple. The novel explores themes of love, art, literature, and the fine line between sanity and insanity, all while challenging traditional narrative structures.
WOULD I find La Maga? Most of the time it was just a case of my putting in an appearance, going along the Rue de Seine to the arch leading into the Quai de Conti, and I would see her slender form agai... - #9
Save:Sudden Death by Alvaro Enrigue is a novel that intricately weaves together a tennis match between historical figures, such as Caravaggio and Quevedo, with events from the 16th century like the conquest of Mexico and the Counter Reformation. The narrative jumps back and forth in time, offering insights into the lives of these characters and exploring themes of power, religion, and cultural clashes. The author's writing style blurs the line between fact and fiction, creating a playful yet erudite atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged and questioning the boundaries of history and storytelling.
The oldest written record of the word tennis makes no mention of athletic shoes; rather, it refers solely to the sport from which they take their name, a sport that—along with fencing, its near kin—wa... - #10
Save:Interzone by William S. Burroughs is a collection of short stories and journal rants that showcase an emerging writer exploding with ideas in the transient surroundings of Tangier. The book provides invaluable insights into Burroughs' literary style, offering firsthand ideas and theories on writing. It portrays the development of Burroughs' mature writing style and presents a selection of vintage Burroughs from the mid-1950s, capturing the beginning of his journey as a writer.
The stories in Interzone delve into the exorcism of Burroughs' oppressive conditioning, his struggle to define himself, and his exploration of landscapes on Earth and in Space. The book features the International Zone in Tangier, where Burroughs lived and which greatly influenced his writing style and subject matter. Divided into three sections, Interzone showcases the evolution of Burroughs' writing from more traditional styles to his later experimental works, providing a glimpse into the genesis of his greatest works.
“Can’t you be quiet?” said the doctor. “I’m coming to that!” He threw back his elbows in a movement of exasperation. “Stop breathing down my neck!” he yelled. He thrust a red fist at her. “And get me ...
