Books matching: fragmented narrative
100 result(s)
- #1
Save:The Fall of the Imam by Nawal El Saadawi is a complex narrative set in an unnamed Arabic speaking state under the rule of a dictator known as the Imam. The story revolves around the brutal suppression of women in a society where men hold superiority. The plot follows the character Bint Allah, a young woman growing up in a children's home, whose fate is intertwined with the potential assassination of the Imam. The book delves into themes of corruption, patriarchal control, and abuse, presenting a world where women are voiceless and undervalued. The writing style is described as poetic yet challenging, with a narrative structure that includes fragmented storytelling and frequent perspective shifts between characters.
The darkness was impenetrable, an opaque black without sun or moon. They could not tell whether it was night, or day without daylight, in a forest thick with overgrown trees hemming them in from every... - #2
Save:The White Album by Joan Didion is a collection of essays that reflect on America in the 1970s, focusing on various topics such as water distribution in California, the Governor's Residence, migraine headaches, California Republic, and the late 1960s and early 1970s. Didion's writing style is described as magnificent, well-constructed, sardonic, incisive, precise, and world-weary, with vivid imagery and razor-sharp insight. The essays cover a wide range of subjects, from California to Hawaii, artist's lives to civil unrest, capturing snapshots of the era with a slightly aloof yet captivating style.
we tell ourselves stories in order to live. The princess is caged in the consulate. The man with the candy will lead the children into the sea. The naked woman on the ledge outside the window on the s... - #3
Save:The Aunt's Story by Patrick White is a psychologically complex novel that delves into the life of Theodora Goodman, a tragically unfulfilled woman in early 20th century Australia. The book is divided into three parts, each offering a unique perspective on Theodora's life journey. From her upbringing in a household overshadowed by Victorian remnants to her travels across Europe and eventually the United States, Theodora's experiences shape her into a character struggling with self-worth, emotional repression, and a distorted view of reality. White's prose is described as angular, tortured, and surrealistic, offering readers a captivating but disorienting glimpse into Theodora's inner world.
White's narrative style focuses on character development and consciousness, rather than plot-driven action, making the book a deep exploration of Theodora's psyche and her interactions with the world around her. The novel's originality, wit, and candor shine through in its portrayal of Theodora's journey from a sheltered childhood to a hauntingly lonely existence, showcasing White's risk-taking in pushing prose fiction into a realm of deeper psychological richness.
Theodora went into the room where the coffin lay. She moved one hairbrush three inches to the left, and smoothed the antimacassar on a little Empire prie-dieu that her mother had brought from Europe. ... - #4
Save:'Anil's Ghost' by Michael Ondaatje follows the journey of Anil Tissera, a forensic anthropologist returning to Sri Lanka to investigate political murders during the civil war. Through Anil's investigation, the story delves into the complexities of the war-torn country, touching on themes of human rights, corruption, and the impact of violence on individuals. The writing style is described as lyrical, fragmented yet engaging, with a focus on character development and exploring the personal and political struggles faced by the characters.
The narrative of 'Anil's Ghost' navigates through different time periods and characters, providing a multilayered and thought-provoking exploration of the Sri Lankan civil war. Ondaatje's prose is praised for its beauty, precision, and ability to evoke emotions in the reader. offers a mix of mystery, love, and lament for the horrors of war, creating a poignant and immersive reading experience that sheds light on the personal and political challenges in Sri Lanka.
Halfway into Michael Ondaatje's new novel, Anil's Ghost, there is a scene so quietly devastating that it alone makes the novel worth reading. It is the mid-1980s, and a civil war is raging on the tiny... 'The Triumph of the Spider Monkey' by Joyce Carol Oates is a disturbing novella that delves into the twisted perspective of a psychopathic murderer named Bobbie Gotteson. The story is narrated from Gotteson's point of view, showcasing his fragmented state of mind through a broken and disjointed narrative style. The plot follows Gotteson's life story, from being discovered as a baby in an airport locker to his transformation into a cult leader and his eventual trial for his crimes, all while blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
The writing style of the book is described as dense, sometimes frustrating, yet sublime, as it immerses the reader into the jumbled and neurotic thoughts of the charismatic but lunatic protagonist. The narrative includes multiple voices, time shifts, and a mix of first and third-person perspectives within a single sentence, creating a complex and challenging reading experience that aims to disturb and disarrange the reader's emotions and thoughts.
- #6
Save:The Trick is to Keep Breathing by Janice Galloway is a raw and emotional exploration of Joy Stone's descent into depression, triggered by the death of her lover. The novel delves deep into Joy's struggles with mental health, depicting her battles with depression, anorexia, and alcoholism. Through a fragmented narrative style, the author uncovers the traumatic events that led to Joy's current state, while also highlighting societal expectations of women. Galloway's unique writing techniques, such as adding margin notes and dialogues, provide a powerful and honest portrayal of depression and mental health issues.
I watch myself from the corner of the room sitting in the armchair, at the foot of the stairwell. A small white moon shows over the fencing outside. No matter how dark the room gets I can always see. ... - #7
Save:Heart Berries: A Memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot is a raw and unflinching memoir that delves into the author's struggles with mental health, abuse, and her Native American heritage. The book is described as a collection of fragmented, poetic essays that weave together Mailhot's experiences growing up on a dysfunctional family, facing abusive relationships, and ultimately finding healing and strength through her heritage and writing.
My story was maltreated. The words were too wrong and ugly to speak. I tried to tell someone my story, but he thought it was a hustle. He marked it as solicitation. The man took me shopping with his p... - #8
Save:'The Transition of Titus Crow' is a book that takes readers on a rapid and overloaded journey through various dimensions and timelines. The narrative unfolds in a hybrid style reminiscent of 'The Time Machine' and 'The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath', with a touch of Burroughs or Moorcock. The story follows Titus Crow, a post-human rebuilt in android form with advanced abilities, as he navigates through encounters with Lovecraftian monsters, Elder Gods, and time-travel adventures.
The book features a fragmented narrative structure, told through recovered audio cassettes and papers, creating a sense of disjointedness that some readers find both deliberate and intriguing. The plot involves Crow's transitions through different worlds, encounters with alien beings, and his evolving powers, all while being pursued by cosmic entities like the Hounds of Tindalos and elements of the Cthulhu Mythos.
Mr Henri-Laurent de Marigny, son of the great New Orleans mystic Etienne-Laurent de Marigny, is literally 'back from the dead', having been pronounced missing or dead in 1976 along with his friend and...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Titus Crow ) - #9
Save:The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing is a dense and complex novel that delves into various themes such as identity, sexuality, feminism, communism, postmodernism, and postcolonialism. The book is structured around the protagonist Anna's four different journals, which she keeps simultaneously on four different parts of her life, along with an omniscient narrator's exposition. Lessing's writing style is often described as stream of consciousness, with intricate character development and exploration of political and societal issues such as British Communism and Feminism.
Molly was a woman much on the telephone. When it rang she had just enquired: ‘Well, what’s the gossip?’ Now she said, ‘That’s Richard, and he’s coming over. It seems today’s his only free moment for t... - #10
Save:"Falling Man" by Don DeLillo revolves around the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, showcasing the experiences and struggles of different characters directly impacted by the event. It delves into the processing of the traumatic experience from various perspectives, including survivors, terrorists, and family members. The narrative is deliberately fragmented, moving in time and place, creating a sense of detachment and confusion that mirrors the harsh reality of the outside world. Through vignettes of narrative and character thought, the novel explores themes of trauma, memory, and the fragility of life in the face of a national tragedy.
DeLillo's writing style in "Falling Man" is described as sparse yet powerful, with moments of compelling prose that evoke strong mood and tone. offers a unique take on the subject of 9/11, providing firsthand insight into the world of a survivor and capturing the feeling of confusion and helplessness that permeated society during that time. Despite its fragmented structure and heavy language, the novel successfully immerses the reader in the experiences of the characters, allowing them to physically feel the disorientation and emotional weight of the events depicted.
It was not a street anymore but a world, a time and space of falling ash and near night. He was walking north through rubble and mud and there were people running past holding towels to their faces or...
