Books matching: historical trauma
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- #1
Told chronologically from the point of view of different family members, 'Manmade Monsters' by Andrea L Rogers follows one Cherokee family through generations, spanning from the 1830s to the future. The book delves into themes of displacement, historical trauma, racism, and violence that Indigenous communities have endured, while also exploring supernatural horrors such as vampires, werewolves, and ghosts. The writing style is described as a cohesive whole, with each story standing on its own but contributing to a larger narrative that connects past, present, and future through the experiences of the family.
- #2
'There There' by Tommy Orange is a powerful and poignant novel that delves into the lives of a group of Native Americans residing in Oakland, California, as they prepare for the Big Oakland Powwow. Through a series of interconnected stories, the book sheds light on the marginalized urban Native American experience, revealing the legacy of mistreatment since the arrival of European settlers. The narrative is character-driven, with each chapter told from a different character's perspective, culminating in a climactic event that ties all the stories together. Orange's writing style is described as compelling, authentic, and rich in detail, offering a three-dimensional portrayal of Native Americans living in a modern urban setting.
The book tackles themes of disenfranchisement, poverty, loss, and the strength of love, providing a sophisticated exploration of the Native American experience in the 21st century. Despite the dark and unsettling history portrayed in the stories, 'There There' is praised for its authenticity and the way it illuminates the diverse range of Native experiences. The novel is commended for its intricate plot structure, weaving together multiple characters and storylines with skill and depth, while also reflecting on the cultural past that continues to impact the characters' lives.
I don’t remember what I did. I still don’t know. I remember smears of blood on the metal and the taste of metal in my mouth. I remember my grandma Maxine shaking my shoulders in the hall outside the p... - #3
Readers found 'When the Reckoning Comes' to be a haunting and complex story that blends elements of horror, ghost stories, and social justice. The novel follows Mira, who returns to her childhood friends Jesse and Celine for a wedding at a restored plantation house, leading to a reckoning with the past and present horrors of slavery. The writing style is described as suspenseful, engaging, and thought-provoking, with a focus on the importance of confronting historical truths and honoring sacrifices.
AFTER, PEOPLE HAD asked Mira what she saw. After the arrest, followed by his release, for months afterward, people would ask, classmates at school, strangers even, whenever she found herself alone, th... 'Russia: A 1,000-Year Chronicle of the Wild East' by Martin Sixsmith is a comprehensive exploration of Russian history, delving into the complexities of the Russian psyche, the traumas faced by the Russian people over centuries, and the forces that have shaped the nation. Sixsmith's writing style is described as informative, engaging, and easy to follow, offering insights into pivotal moments in Russian history such as the Russian revolutions of 1905 and 1917, the collapse of the USSR, and the era of oligarchs.
- #5
'Minor Detail' by Adania Shibli is a novella split into two halves, with the first part focusing on an Israeli platoon in 1949 capturing a young Palestinian woman, while the second part follows an Arab woman in the 1970s becoming obsessed with the incident and deciding to investigate. The story explores themes of displacement, violence against women, and the repercussions of historical events on present-day individuals. The writing style transitions from a matter-of-fact, flat manner in the first part to a more nuanced, personal approach in the second part, providing contrasting perspectives on the same event.
Nothing moved except the mirage. Vast stretches of barren hills rose in layers up to the sky, trembling silently under the heft of the mirage, while the harsh afternoon sunlight blurred the outlines o... - #6
'Sing Down the Moon' by Scott O'Dell is a historical fiction novel that follows the story of a young Navajo girl named Bright Morning during the time of the Long Walk, a forced migration of the Navajo people from their homes in Arizona to Fort Sumner. The book depicts Bright Morning's journey of being captured by Spanish slavers, escaping from slavery, and eventually being forced to leave her homeland by American soldiers. The plot highlights the hardships faced by the Navajo people and the challenges they encountered during this tumultuous period in American history. The writing style is described as engaging, with clean and simple language that effectively conveys the emotions and experiences of the characters.
ON THE HIGH MESAS above our canyon spring came early that year. The piñón trees shook off their coverings of snow in the month of the deer. Warm winds melted the snow and blue water gathered under the... - #7
'The Boys from Brazil' by Ira Levin is a gripping thriller that delves into the sinister plot of surviving Nazis attempting to clone new Hitlers. The story follows a Jewish man hunting for war criminals, a series of mysterious murders, and culminates in a dramatic ending that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Levin's writing style is described as spare and crisp, effectively building suspense around the 1970s plot of resurrecting a Fourth Reich through genetic engineering.
Early one evening in September of 1974 a small twin-engine plane, silver and black, sailed down onto a secondary runway at São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport, and slowing, turned aside and taxied to a hang... - #8
The Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker is a sprawling novel that weaves together the lives of interconnected characters across different continents and time periods. The narrative explores themes of personal discovery, past lives, race, interpersonal relationships, and the struggles with classic issues of women's emancipation and racial discrimination. The book is a mix of love story, fable, feminist manifesto, and political statement, following a diverse cast of characters, most of them black, on their individual journeys of self-discovery and healing.
Walker's writing style in The Temple of My Familiar is characterized by monologues and epistolary elements, with characters sharing their life histories and personal reflections with emotional depth and complexity. The novel delves into topics ranging from slavery to reincarnation, sexuality to self-expression, weaving a rich tapestry of interconnected stories that highlight the beauty and pain of life, while challenging readers to confront issues of injustice and interconnectedness.
IN THE OLD COUNTRY in South America, Carlotta’s grandmother, Zedé, had been a seamstress, but really more of a sewing magician. She was the creator of clothing, especially capes, made of feathers. The... - #9
The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Jonathan Snipes, William Hutson, and Daveed Diggs is a novella that delves into the concept of a mermaid society descended from pregnant African slaves who were thrown overboard during the slave trade. The story follows the protagonist, Yetu, who carries the memories of her people's traumatic past, struggling with the burden of remembering while the rest of her society chooses to forget. Through poetic and beautifully written prose, the book explores themes of memory, history, trauma, and the conflict between personal preservation and community duty.
“Then wake up,” Amaba said, “and wake up now. What kind of dream makes someone lurk in shark-dense waters, leaking blood like a fool? If I had not come for you, if I had not found you in time…” Amaba ... - #10
'Fortune Smiles' by Adam Johnson is a collection of six varied and diverse short stories that delve into themes of natural disasters, moral dilemmas, rare diseases, North Korea, and the East German secret police. The stories are not interconnected in a traditional sense of plot and character but are united by the vicissitudes of human frailty. Johnson's writing style is described as a merger of tragedy and comedy, with exaggerated and somewhat surreal stories that remain grounded in easily recognizable human dilemmas.
It’s late, and I can’t sleep. I raise a window for some spring Palo Alto air, but it doesn’t help. In bed, eyes open, I hear whispers, which makes me think of the president, because we often talk in w...