Books matching: friendship and rivalry
100 result(s)
- #11
Save:Gertrude by Hermann Hesse is a melancholy tale of flawed love and existential angst, focusing on a love triangle involving a composer, an opera singer, and the titular character Gertrude. The plot explores themes of destructive nature of love, the impact of thoughtlessness on relationships, and the struggles of artistic development and self-discovery. The writing style is described as gentle, dreamy, and free-floating, with a focus on philosophical musings and character introspection.
WHEN I TAKE a long look at my life, as though from outside, it does not appear particularly happy. Yet I am even less justified in calling it unhappy, despite all its mistakes. After all, it is foolis... - #12
Save:"The Center of Everything" by Laura Moriarty is a coming-of-age story set in the 1980s, following the journey of Evelyn Bucknow as she navigates through adolescence in Kansas. Raised by a teenage mother and dealing with family challenges, Evelyn faces poverty, love, loss, and personal growth. The story captures the struggles of a young girl trying to find her place in the world while dealing with familial issues, relationships, and societal expectations. Moriarty's writing style offers a poignant and realistic portrayal of Evelyn's life, blending humor, heartache, and self-discovery seamlessly throughout the narrative.
Evelyn's character development, the exploration of family dynamics, and the vivid depiction of life in middle America during the 1980s are central themes in the book. The story delves into Evelyn's relationships with her mother, grandmother, best friend, and love interest, showcasing her resilience and determination to overcome challenges. Moriarty skillfully weaves together themes of adolescence, identity, religion, and societal norms, creating a compelling and relatable tale of growth and self-realization.
RONALD REAGAN IS ON TELEVISION, giving a speech because he wants to be president. He has the voice of a nice person, and something in his hair that makes it shiny under the lights. I change the channe... 'A Blink of the Screen: Collected Shorter Fiction' by Terry Pratchett is a collection of short stories and snippets of fiction that span his career. The book includes both Discworld and non-Discworld stories, showcasing Pratchett's early works as well as some pieces that evolved into full-length novels. The writing style varies from science fiction to fantasy, with a touch of humor and clever observations throughout the stories.
I remember buying my first Pratchett – it was Men at Arms – in a bookshop in Sloane Square. I badly needed to be psychologically elsewhere and the bright heap of Discworld novels looked like a possibl...- #14
Save:'The Rules of Supervillainy' by C.T. Phipps follows the story of Gary, a man who unexpectedly becomes a supervillain after acquiring a magical cape previously owned by a deceased superhero. The plot involves Gary navigating through the challenges of his newfound villainous identity, his evolving relationship with his wife who aspires to be a superhero, and the quirky characters he encounters in a world where superheroes and supervillains coexist. The writing style is described as fast-paced, humorous, and engaging, with unpredictable plot twists that keep the readers entertained and eager to explore the subsequent books in the series.
“Pardon?” The hooded cloak of my all-black costume telepathically said. Its ‘voice’ was dry and otherworldly, as if Christopher Lee had Darth Vader’s reverb. In fact, it was Cloak’s way of speaking wh... - #15
Save:'After Dark' by Jayne Castle is a futuristic romance novel set on the planet Harmony, where residents possess psychic abilities powered by amber and psi energy. The story follows Lydia Smith, a para archaeologist, and Emmett London, a ghost hunter, as they team up to solve a mystery involving a missing artifact, a murder, and a deeper conspiracy. The book combines elements of paranormal, mystery, and romance genres, with a focus on world-building and character development. Readers praised the intriguing setting of a future Earth colony and the well-written plot that keeps them engaged throughout the story.
Her first assumption when she rounded the corner into the shadowy Dead City Tomb wing of Shrimpton’s House of Ancient Horrors was that Chester was pulling another scam. It had to be some bizarre con t... - #16
Save:'The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady' follows the story of King Henry Price, a complex and imperfect protagonist who navigates through a world of magic and vampires. The book is structured with two intertwined storylines, one focusing on King Henry's time at The Asylum where he is trained in supernatural abilities, and the other on his later life where he is called upon to retrieve a powerful item for a vampire. The writing style includes elements of dark humor, metaphysical topics, and a unique reimagining of vampire lore, creating a compelling and original narrative that keeps readers engaged.
I suppose it’s considered rude to start one of these things with a question. Too abrasive—like a first kiss that includes some tongue. Well . . . screw it, I guess. I’m an abrasive kind of guy, a tong... - #17
Save:'Gossip Girl' by Cecily von Ziegesar follows the lives of several rich high school girls in a private school setting, delving into their relationships, backstabbing, drug use, and romantic entanglements. The story is narrated from the perspectives of different girls, providing insight into their catty and stereotypical behavior. The plot revolves around the characters' interactions, including love triangles, friendship dynamics, and scandalous events, set against the backdrop of a privileged New York City lifestyle. The writing style is described as dishy, engaging, and occasionally sarcastic, resembling a TV show with a focus on gossip and teenage drama.
Nate chuckled, still embarrassed, even after all these years. Buck Naked was Nate’s alter ego, invented at a party in eighth grade, when most of them had gotten drunk for the first time. After drinkin... - #18
Save:'The Figure in the Carpet' by Henry James is a short story that delves into the theme of uncovering hidden meanings in literature. The plot follows a critic who meets his favorite author and becomes obsessed with discovering the secret meaning the author embeds in all his works, likened to a complex figure in a Persian carpet. As the critic and his friends delve deeper into deciphering this mystery, the story intertwines the literary quest with a romantic pursuit, leading to a desperate and complicated search for the elusive hidden message.
Henry James' writing style in 'The Figure in the Carpet' is characterized by exquisite prose, ambiguity, and psychological depth. The narrative showcases James' ability to craft a story that engages readers with its complexity and leaves room for interpretation. The author skillfully weaves together themes of literary criticism, human hunger for meaning, and the relationship between authors and their readers, creating a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating piece of fiction.
- #19
Save:'When Nights Were Cold' by Susanna Jones is a historical novel set in the early years of the twentieth century, revolving around the life of Grace Farringdon. Grace, a woman fascinated with mountain climbing and polar explorers, defies societal norms and forms the Antarctic Exploration Society with her college friends. The narrative shifts between Grace's claustrophobic home environment in Dulwich and the perilous mountain settings, exploring themes of female friendship, family tensions, and the fine line between sanity and madness. As Grace reminisces about past expeditions and tragedies, the reader is drawn into a dark and gripping tale of ambition, repression, and psychological suspense.
Last night I tried to climb the Matterhorn again. It seemed, for the first time, quite within my reach. I began from the Hörnli ridge, with my lantern in my hand and the weight of a full pack on my ba... - #20
Save:'Seducing Mr. Darcy' by Gwyn Cready is a comical and fast-paced novel that follows the story of Flip Allison, a recently divorced ornithologist who finds herself entangled in a mix of Regency England and a modern romance. After participating in a reading of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice,' Flip's life takes a bizarre turn when she becomes a character in the novel and embarks on a scandalous affair with Mr. Darcy. As the plot unfolds, Flip must navigate between two worlds, trying to fix the altered storyline while dealing with her ex-husband and a stuffy English professor, Magnus Knightley.
The book cleverly mixes elements of fantasy, romance, and humor, creating a unique and entertaining narrative that explores the consequences of meddling with a beloved classic. Through witty dialogue, steamy romance scenes, and outlandish plot twists, 'Seducing Mr. Darcy' offers a lighthearted and imaginative take on Jane Austen's iconic novel, blending literary references with offbeat humor and unexpected surprises.
