Books matching: human condition
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- #1
Save:'The Circus in Winter' by Cathy Day is a collection of interconnected short stories that revolve around the lives of people connected to the Great Porter Circus, which wintered in a small town in Indiana. The stories offer a glimpse into the circus life from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, exploring themes of resilience, relationships, and the lasting impact of the circus on the town and its inhabitants. Through well-woven narratives, the author paints a vivid picture of circus performers, town folks, and the complex dynamics that shape their lives.
Cathy Day's writing style in 'The Circus in Winter' is described as introspective, character-driven, and poignant. The stories delve into the motivations, relationships, and struggles of the characters, with a backdrop of circus life that adds depth and richness to the narrative. Each story unfolds truths about the human condition, exploring themes of love, loss, hope, and despair against the backdrop of the circus world and small-town life, creating a moving portrait of interconnected lives and shared experiences.
CIRCUS PROPRIETORS are not born to sawdust and spangles. Consider this: P. T. Barnum was nothing more than a dry-goods peddler—that is until he bought a black woman for $1,000, a sum he quickly recoup... 'Bradbury Stories: 100 of His Most Celebrated Tales' is a collection of short stories spanning Ray Bradbury's writing career. The stories cover a wide range of genres, from science fiction to fantasy, with locations ranging from Mars to back gardens. Bradbury's writing style is described as lyrical, poetic, and evocative, with each story painting vivid images and leaving the reader with subtle lessons about humanity. The book is praised for its vast collection of stories that explore different aspects of the human condition, showcasing Bradbury's ability to capture both the popular and literary imagination.
Warm summer twilight here in upper Illinois country in this little town deep far away from everything, kept to itself by a river and a forest and a meadow and a lake. The sidewalks still scorched. The...- #3
Save:The Scar by Marina Dyachenko is a modern fairytale told in a classic Russian style, focusing on themes of manhood, courage, and redemption. The story follows two characters facing harsh realities and struggling with their hopes and dreams, ultimately leading to a satisfying climax. Set in a world with mages and mysterious orders, the book delves into the depths of human condition through a fantasy setting, showcasing the journey of characters linked by a senseless murder and the consequences that follow.
The walls of the crowded tavern were shaken from the boom of drunken voices. After solemn mutual toasts, after good-natured but pointed jests, after cheerful scuffles, it was now time to dance on the ... - #4
Save:The Dean's December by Saul Bellow is a novel that delves into the life of Albert Corde, a newsman who returns to his hometown of Chicago to serve as the Dean of Students. The story revolves around a trial of two black men accused of killing a white student, offering a dual commentary on the evils of both large-scale communism and big-time capitalism. Bellow's writing style showcases a plea for the preservation of humanity in a world where traditional values are diminishing, exploring themes of cross-cultural conflict, societal decay, and personal limitations.
CORDE, WHO LED THE LIFE of an executive in America—wasn’t a college dean a kind of executive?—found himself six or seven thousand miles from his base, in Bucharest, in winter, shut up in an old-fashio... - #5
Save:Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian is a complex novel that follows an unnamed narrator on a journey through rural, mountainous China while also telling the story of a pair of lovers. The book explores encounters with the legacies of the Cultural Revolution, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and other aspects of Chinese historical experiences. It delves into the clash between ancient traditions and modernism in Communist China, highlighting themes of environmental degradation and the mistreatment of women.
In the bus station, which is littered with ice-block wrappers and sugar cane scraps, you stand with your backpack and a bag and look around for a while. People are getting off the bus or walking past,... - #6
Save:Pensees by Blaise Pascal is a compilation of the author's private thoughts organized in a unique method, offering deep insights into spirituality, philosophical truths, and theological arguments. The book delves into topics such as the relativity of motion, the role of Jews in Christian soteriology, and the famous Pascal's Wager, while showcasing Pascal's contemplative and contemplative writing style that reflects his personality.
‘Why, do you not say yourself that the sky and the birds prove God?’ – ‘No.’ – ‘Does your religion not say so?’ – ‘No. For though it is true in a sense for some souls whom God has enlightened in this ... - #7
Save:The Green Book by Jill Paton Walsh is a science fiction novel that captures the imagination of both children and adults. The book follows the colonization of a planet through the eyes of children, exploring themes of survival, resilience, and discovery. The writing style is described as magical and intriguing, with vivid imagery that plays with the reader's imagination. The story is light enough for easily spooked children yet communicates the gravity and urgency of the colony's situation effectively.
It was easy to pack. We were allowed so little, and we didn’t have to bother about leaving anything tidy behind us. Only the books caused a little delay. Father said, “I must take this.” He showed us ... - #8
Save:'Welcome to the Monkey House' by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is a collection of short stories that delve into various themes such as war, dystopian societies, love, and societal issues. The stories are a mix of science fiction, satire, and small-town tales, all written with Vonnegut's signature dark humor and social commentary. Readers will encounter stories that range from exploring the aftermath of World War II to satirizing the concept of egalitarianism and the pursuit of utopia at the cost of humanity's soul.
HERE IT IS, a retrospective exhibition of the shorter works of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.—and Vonnegut is still very much with us, and I am still very much Vonnegut. Somewhere in Germany is a stream called th... - #9
Save:'Twice-Told Tales' by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a collection of short stories that delve into early Americana, filled with supernatural elements and moralistic messages. The stories transport readers back to 19th century America, exploring themes of hypocrisy, Puritan history, and human nature. The writing style is described as allegorical, with a mix of profound wisdom, playful wit, and a scrutiny of the temporal while keeping company with the eternal.
There was once a time when New England groaned under the actualpressure of heavier wrongs than those threatened ones which brought onthe Revolution. James II., the bigoted successor of Charles theVolu... - #10
Save:'The Collected Stories' by Amy Hempel is a collection of short stories and a novella that showcase the author's exceptional craft in forming words into sentences. Readers praise Hempel for her minimalist writing style, precision, and the way she delves into the human condition with flashes of wry humor. The stories are described as stark, concise, and heartbreaking yet filled with moments of redemption. Hempel's writing is noted for being moving, insightful, and able to turn mundane topics into beautiful and interesting narratives. is commended for its economy of words, the command of story, and the sheer joy of experiencing Hempel's writing.
It’s all about the sentences. It’s about the way the sentences move in the paragraphs. It’s about rhythm. It’s about ambiguity. It’s about the way emotion, in difficult circumstances, gets captured in...
