Books matching: grief and despair
30 result(s)
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- #1
Save:In 'The Merman's Kiss', Brianna, a woman in a loveless marriage and deep depression, attempts to end her life by drowning in the sea. However, she is saved by a merman named Zantu, who forms a bond with her underwater. The story explores their unlikely romance, the challenges they face in their relationship, and the unique underwater world where mermaids and mermen coexist. The writing style blends elements of fantasy, romance, and sensuality to create a captivating tale of love and healing in a fantastical setting.
She’d heard drowning wasn’t a bad way to go, but the salty water stung her eyes and nose. And the water was cold. Really cold. As the light above faded to a murky blue, she watched the final pockets o... - #2
Save:The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a post-apocalyptic tale that follows a father and son as they navigate through a desolate and brutal world. The story delves into themes of survival, humanity, and the unbreakable bond between parent and child. McCarthy's writing style, described as sparse and bleak, perfectly captures the grim and hopeless atmosphere of the dystopian setting, drawing readers into the harrowing journey of the protagonists.
When he woke in the woods in the dark and the cold of the night he'd reach out to touch the child sleeping beside him. Nights dark beyond darkness and the days more gray each one than what had gone be... - #3
Save:'A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii' is a collection of six interrelated stories by six different authors, each offering a unique perspective on the catastrophic destruction of Pompeii in AD 79. The stories are set in the days leading up to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, showcasing the lives of various characters, both historical and fictional, as they navigate love, despair, courage, and tragedy in the face of impending disaster. The writing style is vivid, colorful, and rich in historical detail, painting a compelling picture of Roman society during the Early Roman Empire.
I discreetly tightened my loincloth as I approached Pompeii’s Sarno Gate. The mere sight of the chipped arch funneling us into the city—the knowledge that I was that much closer to her—made my body re... "Auschwitz: A Doctor's Eyewitness Account" by Miklos Nyiszli is a harrowing and heartbreaking firsthand account of the atrocities witnessed by the author during his time at Auschwitz. Nyiszli's writing style is described as bare bones and concise, providing a detached and almost emotionless account of the horrors he experienced, which serves to highlight the brutal reality of the concentration camps. details Nyiszli's role as a doctor working with Dr. Josef Mengele, his experiences in the crematoriums, and the moral dilemmas he faced while trying to survive in the midst of unimaginable cruelty.
The narrative in the book is said to be compelling and engaging, offering a unique perspective on the Holocaust through Nyiszli's clinical and observational approach. Despite the difficult subject matter, readers find the book to be a must-read for its honest portrayal of the events at Auschwitz and the ethical questions it raises about human nature and survival in the face of extreme adversity.
The train of the deportees. For four days, forty identical cars had been rolling endlessly on, first across Slovakia, then across the territory of the Central Government, bearing us towards an unknown...- #5
Save:'The Best Short Stories' by Guy de Maupassant is a collection of 17 tales that delve into various aspects of life in 19th century France. The stories cover a wide range of themes including love, tragedy, comedy, farce, irony, relationships, time, death, war, grief, despair, elation, religion, and class disparity. Maupassant's writing style is praised for its wonderful descriptions of the natural world, the detailed settings, and the balance between tiny fragments of information and broad brush statements. The stories are known for their unexpected endings, emotional depth, and thought-provoking nature.
- #6
Save:"The Spinning Heart" by Donal Ryan is a novel set in a small Irish village dealing with the aftermath of the economic collapse in 2008. Through a series of interconnected stories told by different characters, the book explores the impact of the recession on the community. The narrative is structured with each chapter offering a unique perspective on the struggles faced by the villagers, creating a mosaic of voices that come together to paint a vivid picture of a town in crisis. The writing style is raw and realistic, capturing the coarse language and bleak reality of the characters' lives with a touch of underlying humor.
MY FATHER STILL lives back the road past the weir in the cottage I was reared in. I go there every day to see is he dead and every day he lets me down. He hasn’t yet missed a day of letting me down. H... - #7
Save:'The History of Love' by Nicole Krauss is a beautifully written novel that intertwines the lives of various characters, including an elderly Holocaust survivor named Leo Gursky, a young girl named Alma Singer, and an author named Zvi Litvinoff. The story revolves around a book titled 'The History of Love' and explores themes of love, loss, loneliness, and the power of storytelling. The narrative is complex, with multiple perspectives and timelines that eventually converge to reveal the connections between the characters and their shared histories.
The writing style of Nicole Krauss in 'The History of Love' is described as poetic, intricate, and emotionally compelling. The book features interweaving narratives, unique storytelling techniques, and a mix of humor, tragedy, and drama. Through the characters of Leo, Alma, and Zvi, Krauss delves into the human experience, highlighting the importance of connection, self-expression, and the enduring impact of art on individuals' lives.
When they write my obituary. Tomorrow. Or the next day. It will say, LEO GURSKY IS SURVIVED BY AN APARTMENT FULL OF SHIT. I’m surprised I haven’t been buried alive. The place isn’t big. I have to stru... - #8
Save:"Short Cuts: Selected Stories" by Raymond Carver is a collection of short stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships and everyday life. The stories explore themes of marriage, infidelity, grief, and alcoholism, portraying characters who are often troubled and difficult to like. Carver's writing style is noted for its realism and ability to capture the unease and struggles of his characters in minimalistic prose. The stories are known for their open-ended conclusions, leaving readers with a sense of uncertainty and contemplation.
BILL AND ARLENE MILLER were a happy couple. But now and then they felt they alone among their circle had been passed by somehow, leaving Bill to attend to his bookkeeping duties and Arlene occupied wi... - #9
Save:"The Waves" by Virginia Woolf is a poetic and experimental novel that follows the lives of six friends from childhood to old age. The book explores the interiority of the characters, their perceptions of reality, themselves, and others. Woolf's writing style is described as poetry in prose, with no rules, punctuation, or paragraphs, portraying pure sensations, disarrayed and irrational thoughts, and an explosion of feelings. The characters' journeys are depicted as complex and emotional, reflecting on themes of innocence, disappointment, regret, and the transient nature of beauty and life itself.
The sun had not yet risen. The sea was indistinguishable from the sky, except that the sea was slightly creased as if a cloth had wrinkles in it. Gradually as the sky whitened a dark line lay on the h... - #10
Save:The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow is a poignant novel that follows the life of Rachel, a biracial girl who faces the aftermath of a tragic family incident. After moving in with her black grandmother in Seattle, Rachel navigates through a world filled with racial prejudices and societal expectations. The story beautifully captures Rachel's journey of self-discovery, identity, and acceptance as she grapples with her past and the complexities of her heritage. Through rich storytelling and compelling narrative, Durrow explores themes of race, identity, family, and resilience in a thought-provoking and emotionally charged manner.
For Christmas, Grandma always sent Robbie and me a card with a new ten-dollar bill wrapped in aluminum foil. On the back of the envelope where she pressed extra hard there’d be a small smudge. The car...
