Books matching: gritty realism, prose_or_writing
74 result(s)
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- #1
Save:"Hammer's Slammers" by David Drake is a collection of short stories that follows the interstellar mechanized mercenary unit known as the Slammers. The stories depict the evolution of the Slammers from an ad hoc military force to a powerful juggernaut under the leadership of Colonel Alois Hammer. The writing style is described as gritty, brutal, and realistic, providing detailed descriptions of battle scenes and character development, while also highlighting the human cost of the Slammers' actions.
It is remarkable—though never remarked—how few writers have been soldiers in wartime. Kipling, who wrote of soldiers and soldiering as well as anyone ever has, was never himself a soldier. I believe I... - #2
Save:'After Hours' by Cara McKenna is an erotic romance novel set in a psychiatric hospital, following the characters Erin Coffey and Kelly Robak. Erin, a newly hired LPN, meets Kelly, an orderly on the locked ward, and despite their initial reservations, they are drawn to each other. The story explores their complex relationship, blending explicit sex scenes with emotional depth and character development. The setting of the psychiatric hospital adds a unique and gritty backdrop to the passionate romance between Erin and Kelly.
But ominous sign notwithstanding, the road was quiet and pretty. Elms and oaks and firs rose up on either side, watery dawn sunshine winking between green leaves to the east. There were no pop bottles... - #3
Save:The Good Soldiers by David Finkel is a searing and distressful account of a Ranger battalion in Iraq during the surge from April 2007 to April 2008. Finkel's writing style is powerful and poignant, capturing the faith, despair, and struggles of US soldiers on deployment, as well as the toll of war on both their physical and mental well-being. The book provides a vivid and intimate look at the experiences of ordinary men enduring extraordinary circumstances in the midst of the Iraq War.
Through a journalistic lens, Finkel chronicles the harrowing injuries, deaths, and the war at home as families cope with deployments, offering a must-read for anyone with an opinion on the war in the Middle East. The narrative is not overtly political but focuses on the personal stories of soldiers, portraying the human cost of war and the enduring compassion and sadness for those impacted by the conflict.
He would wake up in eastern Baghdad, inhale its bitter, burning air, and say it. “It’s all good.” He would look around at the fundamentals of what his life had become—his camouflage, his gun, his body... - #4
Save:Batman: Year One by Frank Miller is a graphic novel that delves into the gritty origins of the Dark Knight, focusing on the early days of Batman in Gotham City. The narrative follows Commissioner Gordon as he navigates the challenges of a corrupt police force and the emergence of a new masked vigilante. The story intricately weaves together the journeys of Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon, showcasing their heroic yet flawed characters in a dark and suspenseful setting. The writing style is described as compelling, authentic, and masterfully balancing narration between Batman, Gordon, and Catwoman.
- #5
Save:Set in the early 19th century American wilderness during the fur trade, 'The Revenant' by Michael Punke follows the survival journey of Hugh Glass after being left for dead by his companions following a grizzly bear attack. The narrative delves into Glass's relentless pursuit for revenge against those who betrayed him, showcasing his resilience and determination in the face of extreme adversity. The book vividly portrays the challenges of survival in the untamed wilderness, his encounters with various groups, and the raw, graphic details of his quest for retribution.
Punke's writing style in 'The Revenant' is described as straightforward and unengaging by some readers, while others appreciate the well-researched historical details and the author's ability to blend fictional elements with actual events. The book offers a gripping and visceral narrative, painting a vivid picture of the day-to-day struggles of Hugh Glass and the harsh realities of survival in the unforgiving wilderness.
For days, the boy had argued with the man in the wolf-skin hat. Has it really been days? The wounded man had battled his fever and pain, never certain whether conversations he heard were real, or mere... - #6
Save:'The Man With the Golden Arm' by Nelson Algren is a classic novel that delves into the world of addiction, poverty, and desperation in post-World War II Chicago. The story follows Frankie Majcinek, a golden arm dealer at a gambling joint, who is hooked on drugs and struggles to break free from the cycle of misery. The novel is filled with a cast of colorful characters, each dealing with their own vices and flaws, set against the backdrop of Chicago's seedy clubs, pubs, and streets frequented by the underclass in the late 1940s. Algren's writing style is described as dense, provocative, and filled with slang, reflecting the raw and gritty nature of the characters' lives.
The plot of 'The Man With the Golden Arm' unfolds slowly, focusing on the relationships and struggles of the characters, particularly Frankie and his friend Sparrow. The narrative is interspersed with vignettes that develop character and setting, creating a vivid and immersive portrayal of the Chicago underclass. Algren's novel is one of the first to explore the serious and realistic portrayal of drug addiction, highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity and the challenges of breaking free from destructive cycles.
The captain never drank. Yet, toward nightfall in that smoke-colored season between Indian summer and December’s first true snow, he would sometimes feel half drunken. He would hang his coat neatly ov... - #7
Save:In "Winter's Bone" by Daniel Woodrell, the story follows Ree Dolly, a strong 17-year-old girl from the Ozarks, who takes on the responsibility of caring for her family when her parents fail. Her father has skipped bail, leaving the family at risk of losing their home. Ree sets out to find him, dead or alive, delving into the harsh poverty and dangerous world of the Ozarks. The novel portrays a stark and gritty existence, filled with violence, poverty, and a code of silence that dominates the community. Woodrell's writing is intense and powerful, painting a vivid picture of Ree's struggle for survival and the complex characters she encounters.
The book is a raw and tragic coming-of-age story set in a world that is both familiar and brutal, where Ree must navigate through backwoods crime and betrayal to protect her family. Woodrell's storytelling captures the harsh realities of life in the Ozarks, with lyrical descriptions of the landscape and characters that feel real and complex. The novel unfolds with a compelling plot, driven by a strong female protagonist facing challenges that test her resilience and strength in a world where family bonds are paramount.
REE DOLLY stood at break of day on her cold front steps and smelled coming flurries and saw meat. Meat hung from trees across the creek. The carcasses hung pale of flesh with a fatty gleam from low li... - #8
Save:'A Swollen Red Sun' by Matthew McBride is a gritty Southern noir tale set in Gasconade County, MO, the meth capital of the world. The story revolves around desperate characters entangled in a world of meth production, crooked cops, and fringe religious cults. The plot is filled with violent scenes, detailed descriptions, and a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers engaged until the end. McBride's writing style is described as vivid, dark, and overwhelming, with an excellent sense of place and well-paced storytelling, despite some instances of tasteless accusations and tangents into extreme horror.
The sun went down behind the mobile home like a burst of egg yolk that dripped from the sky and consumed the trees. Sycamores on the river cast long shadows in the burnt auburn hue, and golden shafts ... - #9
Save:'Far Bright Star' by Robert Olmstead is a short novel that follows the protagonist, Napoleon, and the men he leads on a mission that goes awry. Set in the Mexican desert in 1916, the book delves into themes of violence, brutality, and the harsh realities of war. The writing style is described as hypnotic, creating suspense and evoking the heat and savagery of the setting. Despite its brevity, the book explores the protagonist's inner battle with life and the aftermath of the mission, leaving readers questioning the deeper meanings of the events portrayed.
There was drought and the land was parched and dry and the country bleached, burned out, and furnacelike. At first, dogs attended the troopers, but then they experienced a plague of fleas, so the orde... - #10
Save:'Trouble Is My Business' by Raymond Chandler is a collection of four short stories featuring the iconic private detective, Phillip Marlowe. The book is described as a classic Noir detective story written by one of the masters, with fast-paced plots that keep readers constantly engaged. The stories are set in a gritty, noir world where Marlowe is portrayed as a hard luck detective who uses his wits to navigate through various mysteries and challenges. Chandler's writing style is highlighted for its brilliance, with compelling comparisons and vivid descriptions that bring the characters and settings to life.
The book captures the essence of the hard boiled noir detective genre and is praised for its unique and snappy dialogue, as well as its ability to transport readers back in time to an era of crime and intrigue. Chandler's storytelling is commended for its entertainment value, with each story providing a brief escape into a world of suspense, mystery, and clever detective work.
Some literary antiquarian of a rather special type may one day think it worth while to run through the files of the pulp detective magazines which flourished during the late twenties and early thirtie...
