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Books matching: manipulative nature

98 result(s)

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  1. #1

    Lady Susan by Jane Austen
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    "Lady Susan" by Jane Austen is a short epistolary novel that follows the manipulative and conniving widow, Lady Susan Vernon, as she schemes to secure wealthy marriages for herself and her daughter. Written entirely through letters exchanged between characters, the story unfolds through gossip, scandal, and the revelation of Lady Susan's deceitful nature. Despite being an early work of Austen, the novel showcases her talent for creating complex characters like Lady Susan, who is portrayed as heartless, selfish, and unscrupulous in her pursuit of personal gain.

    The plot revolves around Lady Susan's cunning efforts to manipulate those around her, leading to outrage, shock, and helplessness among her acquaintances. Through the epistolary format, readers are given glimpses of Lady Susan's underhandedness, her daughter's predicament, and the reactions of those caught in her web of deceit. Despite the lack of traditional narrative prose, the novel offers a wickedly fun and engaging exploration of love, manipulation, and Regency society.

    I can no longer refuse myself the pleasure of profitting by your kind invitation when we last parted, of spending some weeks with you at Churchill, and therefore if quite convenient to you and M Verno...

  2. #2

    Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent
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    'Unraveling Oliver' by Liz Nugent is a psychological thriller that delves into the life of Oliver Ryan, a successful children's book author who brutally attacks his wife, Alice, leaving her in a coma. The novel unfolds through multiple perspectives and timelines, gradually revealing Oliver's dark past, his relationships, and the events that led to the violent act. With alternating viewpoints, short chapters, and a gripping writing style, the book explores themes of family secrets, societal expectations, and the unraveling of Oliver's character.

    I was surprised. I hadn’t planned to do it. Usually when you hear about this kind of thing, it is the 1950s, and the husband comes home drunk to his slovenly wife from the pub and finds that his dinne...

  3. #3

    Now Wait for Last Year by Philip K. Dick
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    'Now Wait for Last Year' by Philip K. Dick is a science fiction novel set in 2055 Earth, where Earth is allied with the planet Lilistar against the alien Reegs. The story follows Eric Sweetscent, an artiforg doctor who becomes the personal physician to Gino Molinari, the leader of Earth's forces. As Eric delves deeper into Molinari's health issues, he uncovers mysteries surrounding a new hallucinogenic drug, time travel, and the true enemies Earth is facing in the ongoing war. The novel explores themes of complex relationships, war, drug addiction, and the blurred lines between reality and delusion, all set against a backdrop of intergalactic conflict and political conspiracy.

    Dick's writing style in 'Now Wait for Last Year' is characterized by a blend of futuristic elements such as reality-altering drugs, time travel, and alien alliances, combined with intricate plots that keep readers engaged. The story is filled with unexpected twists, emotional depth, and thought-provoking themes that challenge the characters to make difficult choices in a world where nothing is as it seems.

    The apteryx-shaped building, so familiar to him, gave off its usual smoky gray light as Eric Sweetscent collapsed his wheel and managed to park in the tiny stall allocated him. Eight o'clock in the mo...

  4. #4

    Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
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    In the epistolary novel 'Les Liaisons dangereuses' by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, set in 18th-century France, two aristocrats, the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, engage in a dangerous game of seduction and manipulation. Through a series of letters, they plot to ruin the lives of innocent individuals for their own amusement and revenge, leading to a web of deceit, betrayal, and scandal. The characters' intricate schemes and immoral actions reveal the dark side of human nature and the consequences of selfish desires in a society on the brink of change.

    The novel's writing style, characterized by vividly portrayed characters and cleverly crafted letters, immerses the reader in the morally complex world of the French aristocracy. Themes of love, revenge, morality, and manipulation are skillfully woven into the narrative, creating a compelling and thought-provoking tale of intrigue and deception that challenges societal norms and explores the boundaries of human behavior.

    You SEE, MY DEAR friend, that I keep my word to you, and that bonnets and frills do not take up all my time; there will always be some left for you. However, I have seen more adornments in this one si...

  5. #5

    Katheryn Howard: The Scandalous Queen - Six Tudor Queens by Alison Weir
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    'Katheryn Howard: The Scandalous Queen' in the 'Six Tudor Queens' series by Alison Weir follows the tragic life of Katheryn Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII. It delves into her early beginnings, her longing for love, her marriage to the king, and her ill-fated romance with Thomas Culpepper. The novel portrays Katheryn as a naive and unprepared queen, manipulated by her family for political gain, ultimately leading to her downfall and execution. Alison Weir's writing style combines meticulous research with fictional elements, bringing to life the historical figure of Katheryn Howard in a compelling and emotional narrative.

    Katheryn was seven when her mother died. She would never forget being led by her nurse into the dim, musty bedchamber where Father was kneeling beside the bed, his head in his hands and his shoulders ...

    (Also, see 25 recommendations for the series Six Tudor Queens )

  6. #6

    The Courts of Chaos - The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny
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    'The Courts of Chaos' in 'The Chronicles of Amber' series by Roger Zelazny depicts the struggle for mastery of the Pattern as Corwin faces direct conflict with the Courts of Chaos. With factions wanting to merge Amber with Chaos or make one reality dominate, Oberon reenters the story, creating conditions for a new series. The final book in the first series has pacing problems and a somewhat dissipated energy compared to earlier installments, with Corwin traveling from place to place, leading to an ordinary end with room left for a sequel. Despite this, the book wraps up the war and family relations satisfactorily in a short 140 pages, showcasing Zelazny's ability to tackle multiple characters, settings, and problems effectively.

    Amber: high and bright atop Kolvir in the middle of the day. A black road: low and sinister through Garnath from Chaos to the south. Me: cursing, pacing and occasionally reading in the library of the ...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Chronicles of Amber )

  7. #7

    Serena by Ron Rash
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    'Serena' by Ron Rash is a historical fiction novel set in the 1920s, portraying the story of Serena and her husband George Pemberton as they strive to become wealthy timber barons in North Carolina and beyond. The book explores Serena's ruthless and manipulative nature, as well as her relentless pursuit of power and wealth. The plot delves into the dark and violent world of the logging industry during the Depression era, showcasing the harsh realities of life in the Appalachia mountains. The narrative also touches upon themes of greed, murder, and the struggle for dominance in a male-dominated profession.

    WHEN PEMBERTON RETURNED TO THE NORTH Carolina mountains after three months in Boston settling his father’s estate, among those waiting on the train platform was a young woman pregnant with Pemberton’s...

  8. #8

    Snowdrops by A.D. Miller
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    Snowdrops by A.D. Miller is a novel set in Moscow, following the story of Nicholas, an English lawyer who gets entangled in shady dealings and romantic entanglements with Russian women. The narrative unfolds as a confession to his fiancée, revealing the moral decline and deception he experiences in the corrupt and alluring atmosphere of post-Soviet Russia. The book provides a nuanced character study of Nicholas and offers a fascinating look at the complexities of Russian society, with vivid descriptions of the setting and the characters' interactions.

    I can at least be sure of her name. It was Maria Kovalenko, Masha to her friends. She was standing on the station platform at Ploshchad Revolyutsii, Revolution Square, when I first caught sight of her...

  9. #9

    The Sweet Dove Died by Barbara Pym
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    "The Sweet Dove Died" by Barbara Pym follows the story of Leonora Eyre, an unmarried woman of a certain age who forms strong attachments to Humphrey Boyce and his nephew James. The novel delves into the complexities of relationships between men and women, portraying a bittersweet tale of unrequited love, jealousy, and manipulation. Barbara Pym's writing style is characterized by subtle wit, incisive observations, and a focus on the inner lives of characters living quiet, retiring lives in England.

    The plot of "The Sweet Dove Died" revolves around Leonora's interactions with Humphrey, James, and other supporting characters, exploring themes of aging, loneliness, and the dynamics of human relationships. Pym's narrative skillfully navigates the nuances of social nuances, snobbery, and the emotional intricacies of the characters, creating a compelling story that offers insights into the complexities of human nature.

    ‘The sale room is no place for a woman,’ declared Humphrey Boyce, as he and his nephew James sat having lunch with the attractive stranger they had picked up at a Bond Street sale room half an hour ag...

  10. #10

    The Hammer of Eden by Ken Follett
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    Ken Follett's 'The Hammer of Eden' is a thrilling tale that delves into the world of earthquakes and terrorism. The story revolves around a commune leader who plans to induce earthquakes using technology to hold California to ransom. As the plot unfolds, the tension rises, and the only person taking the threat seriously is taken for granted by her managers. The book offers a fast-paced narrative with twists and turns, keeping readers engaged until the end. Despite some dated elements and questionable plot points, the novel presents a gripping storyline that explores the consequences of manipulating natural disasters for political gain.

    A pine forest covers the hills, as thick as the fur on a bear’s back. The sky is so blue, in the clear mountain air, that it hurts his eyes to look up. Miles from the road there is a secret valley wit...

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