Books matching: exploration of local culture
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- #1
Gimme Some Sugar by Molly Harper is a heartwarming story set in the small town of Lake Sackett, Georgia, where the characters navigate through love, second chances, and personal growth. The book revolves around Duffy and Lucy, childhood friends who find themselves reconnecting after years of being apart, facing their past feelings and the challenges of starting over. Harper's writing style brings to life the quirky McCready clan and the Southern charm of the town, creating a story filled with humor, romance, and relatable characters.
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Southern Eclectic ) - #2
'The Tree Where Man Was Born' by Peter Matthiessen is a classic and beautifully sad account of Africa in the late 60s and early 70s. The author takes the reader on a journey through East Africa like no other, showcasing an Africa seldom seen, with vivid descriptions of both the people and the places. Matthiessen's writing style is described as dense and poetic, with huge acceptance and a moral center that sometimes expresses rage eloquently yet softly. provides insights into the author's travels in East Africa in the 1960s, highlighting encounters with native peoples, the forces of modernity threatening traditional ways, and the beauty of the African landscape.
- #3
'In Patagonia' by Bruce Chatwin is a travelogue that takes the reader on a journey through the remote and mysterious region of Patagonia in southern Argentina. Chatwin's writing style is described as meandering, with short vignettes that cover encounters with historical figures like Butch Cassidy, exploration of the local culture and history, and reflections on the landscape and wildlife of the area. The book is a blend of travel experiences, historical anecdotes, and personal reflections, creating a unique narrative that captures the essence of Patagonia through Chatwin's eyes.
Chatwin's approach to storytelling in 'In Patagonia' is unconventional, focusing more on historical context and character sketches rather than traditional travelogue descriptions. The book offers a mix of captivating tales and mundane observations, leaving readers with a sense of the history and culture of Patagonia while also sparking controversy over the accuracy of some details. Chatwin's writing style is described as evocative, spare, and at times experimental, creating a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and fiction, inviting readers to explore the enigmatic beauty of Patagonia through his words.
IN MY grandmother’s dining-room there was a glass-fronted cabinet and in the cabinet a piece of skin. It was a small piece only, but thick and leathery, with strands of coarse, reddish hair. It was st...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Vintage Voyages ) - #4
The Marauders by Tom Cooper is a story set in Louisiana post-Katrina and the BP oil spill, portraying the struggles of the shrimpers and fishermen in the backwater swamps and bayous. The novel introduces a diverse cast of characters, including a one-armed pill addict searching for Lafitte's treasure, a young shrimper dealing with family conflicts, small-time crooks, and dangerous individuals like the Toup brothers. The narrative weaves together the lives of these characters, showcasing the impact of environmental disasters and personal tragedies on their livelihoods and relationships. The writing style is praised for its vivid descriptions, sense of place, and interconnected storylines that create a compelling and immersive reading experience.
They came like specters from the dark maw of the bayou, first ghostly light in the fog, then the rasp of a motor: an aluminum powerboat scudding across lacquer-black water. From a distance the figures... - #5
'Gringos' by Charles Portis is a humorous and witty novel that follows the adventures of Jimmy Burns, an ex-Marine living in Mexico, as he navigates through a series of misadventures involving a diverse cast of characters including hippies, archeologists, and UFO enthusiasts. The plot revolves around Jimmy's search for a young man named Rudy Kurle, leading to unexpected encounters and challenges in the Mexican jungle. Portis' writing style is described as clear, insightful, and filled with dry humor, offering a satirical take on American expatriates living in Mexico.
CHRISTMAS AGAIN in Yucatán. Another year gone and I was still scratching around on this limestone peninsula. I woke at eight, late for me, wondering where I might find something to eat. Once again the... - #6
'The Bat' in the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbø follows the Norwegian detective Harry Hole as he investigates a murder in Sydney, Australia. The plot unfolds slowly, revealing Harry's struggles with alcoholism, his damaged past, and his interactions with the Australian police and local culture. The narrative combines elements of Australian mythology, dark crime thriller, and a touch of eeriness, culminating in a captivating final pursuit that keeps the reader engaged until the end.
“I’m fine,” Harry Hole had lied. It was more than thirty hours since he had taken off from Oslo via London, and after the change of planes in Bahrain he had sat in the same bloody seat by the emergenc... - #7
Black Water Sister by Zen Cho is a contemporary fantasy novel set in Malaysia, following the story of Jess, a reluctant lesbian medium who moves back to Malaysia with her parents. Upon her return, she starts hearing the voice of her dead grandmother, Ah Ma, and gets entangled in a world of gods, ghosts, and vengeance. The book explores themes of displacement, family dynamics, cultural identity, and the supernatural, all wrapped in a compelling narrative with elements of horror and humor. Cho's writing style is described as beautifully written, with depth of character, intricate world-building, and dynamic conflict resolution.
The ghost said it to shock. Unfortunately it had failed to consider the possibility that Jess might not understand it. Jess understood most of the Hokkien spoken to her, but because it was only ever h... - #8
'No Sunscreen for the Dead' in the series 'Serge Storms' by Tim Dorsey is a dark comedy that follows the adventures of Serge Storms, a true Floridian with a kind heart but a penchant for taking extreme measures against those who harm his friends. The plot revolves around Serge and his sidekick Coleman as they navigate through a retirement community in Florida, uncovering unethical practices and getting entangled in a web of Russian spies, fake FBI agents, and retired FBI agents from the Cold War era. The writing style combines off-the-wall humor, action-packed craziness, and historical tidbits about Florida, providing an entertaining and unique reading experience.
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series SergeA. Storms ) Anthony Bourdain's 'A Cook's Tour' takes readers on a culinary adventure across the globe as he searches for the perfect meal. Through his vivid descriptions, Bourdain not only explores the diverse cuisines of different countries but also delves into the cultures and histories behind each dish. His writing style, reminiscent of his TV persona, is candid, humorous, and unapologetically honest, making the reader feel like they are right beside him on his quest for gastronomic perfection.
- #10
Creative Mythology is the fourth and final volume in Joseph Campbell's Masks of God series. The book explores modern world mythologies and religion, focusing on how cultures begin to intermingle and how local symbols are repurposed for new reasons in new places. Campbell delves into epic poetry to analyze the heretic Christian ideas, the pagan roots of Beowulf, and the Islamic influence on Dante's Divine Comedy. He also dissects works of modern authors like Thomas Mann and James Joyce, providing insights into the evolution of mythologies in literature, music, and paintings.
In the earlier volumes of this survey of the historical transformations of those imagined forms that I am calling the “masks” of God, through which men everywhere have sought to relate themselves to t...
(Also, see 42 recommendations for the series The Masks of God )