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Books matching: metafictional elements

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  1. The Avignon Quintet by Lawrence Durrell is a complex and multi-layered narrative that follows a group of interconnected characters as they navigate love, loss, and mystery in the South of France. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives and timelines, blending fiction with reality seamlessly. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the characters face personal and historical challenges that shape their destinies. Durrell's writing style is characterized by rich descriptions, intricate storytelling, and a deep exploration of philosophical and existential themes.

    The late traveller was myself, Bruce, and the journey was none of my choosing. The telegram which had summoned me southward from Prague was suitably laconic. It told me of the suicide of my oldest and...

  2. #2

    The Poor Mouth: A Bad Story about the Hard Life by Flann O'Brien
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    The Poor Mouth by Flann O'Brien is a satirical novel that parodies Irish writers and the Gaelic revival. The story follows Bonaparte O'Coonassa, a poverty-stricken Gael living in Corkadoragha with his mother, the Old Grey Fellow, and pigs. The book humorously portrays the absurd focus on Irishness and the glorification of poverty, with a mix of overwrought dialogue, endless descriptions of pigs, potatoes, rain, and mud, and a satirical commentary on the post-Independence Irish government's insistence on celebrating Irishness through tales of hardship and rural life. O'Brien's writing style blends humor, absurdity, and social commentary, making it a unique and entertaining read that delves into the themes of Irish identity and cultural stereotypes.

    IT is not that I half knew my mother. I knew half of her: the lower half—her lap, legs, feet, her hands and wrists as she bent forward. Very, dimly I seem to remember her voice. At the time, of course...

  3. #3

    The Tightrope Walker by Dorothy Gilman
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    "The Tightrope Walker" by Dorothy Gilman is a mystery novel that follows the story of Amelia Jones, a shy young woman who discovers herself while solving a mystery. The book involves a note found in a hurdy-gurdy, a possible murder, and the uses of love, both good and bad. As Amelia delves deeper into the mystery, she finds strength she didn't know she possessed and learns about the power of love. The narrative weaves suspense, insight, and intrigue as Amelia becomes a crusader for justice, uncovering secrets and facing unexpected challenges. The story is rich, weird, and filled with unexpected coincidences that keep the reader engaged till the end.

    Amelia's character development is a central theme in the book, as she evolves from a somewhat rootless girl to a courageous and determined individual. The plot is filled with twists and turns, leading to a climax that tests Amelia's character and resolve. As she grows and matures throughout the story, readers witness her transformation and root for her success in unraveling the mysteries that surround her.

    Maybe everyone lives with terror every minute of every day and buries it, never stopping long enough to look. Or maybe it’s just me. I’m speaking here of your ordinary basic terrors, like the meaning ...

  4. "Autobiography of a Corpse" by Krzhizhanovsky is a collection of surreal and imaginative stories that delve into themes of identity, philosophy, and existentialism. The stories are set in Moscow and offer unique perspectives on Russian history and society, blending elements of fantasy, dark humor, and absurdity. The writing style is described as rough yet brilliant, reminiscent of other renowned authors like E.T.A. Hoffmann and Kafka, but with a distinctive voice that explores scientific topics, psychology, and philosophical musings.

    Shtamm believed in his elbows and in the ability of Etal to swap drops of ink for rubles, but the question of living space worried him. He knew that on the metropolitan chessboard, squares had not bee...

  5. #5

    Murder At The ABA by Isaac Asimov
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    'Murder At The ABA' by Isaac Asimov is a murder mystery novel set at a bookseller's convention in 1975. The story follows author Darius Just as he investigates the death of his former protege, Giles Devore, believed to be a murder rather than an accident. Asimov himself is a character in the book, providing comic relief and taking potshots at the protagonist, adding a surreal element to the narrative. The plot unfolds over four days of the convention, with Just retracing Devore's final hours to uncover a motive and identify the murderer. The writing style is described as humorous, light-hearted, and engaging, with footnotes adding to the fun and entertainment of the story.

    In the particular case in which I was involved, however, we can limit the direct causes to a specific, limited series of events, all of which had to have happened for violent death to have its chance....

  6. #6

    Envy by Sandra Brown
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    Envy by Sandra Brown is a gripping tale of revenge, manipulation, and betrayal intertwined with themes of love, lust, and suspense. The story follows Maris Matherly Reed, a New York publisher who becomes entangled in a mysterious manuscript by an anonymous author, Parker Evans. As Maris delves deeper into the manuscript's storyline, she uncovers dark secrets from the past and finds herself caught in a web of deceit orchestrated by her own husband. The narrative skillfully weaves together multiple plot threads, including a complex revenge scheme and a romance that defies expectations, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.

    “But there’s got to be.” Maris Matherly-Reed impatiently tapped her pencil against the notepad upon which she had doodled a series of triangles and a chain of loops. Below those she’d rough-sketched a...

  7. #7

    Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday
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    Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday is a novel divided into three distinct parts. The first section focuses on the relationship between a young woman working as an editorial assistant and a much older, successful writer, exploring the power dynamics between them. The second part delves into the life of a young Iraqi American academic and his experiences with his family and home country. The final section includes an interview with the elderly writer, attempting to connect the narratives and highlight the imbalances of power present in each story. The book features a unique structure with a book within a book, passages from real books, and a playlist, providing musing opportunities for the reader to ponder the deeper meanings within the text.

    ALICE WAS BEGINNING TO get very tired of all this sitting by herself with nothing to do: every so often she tried again to read the book in her lap, but it was made up almost exclusively of long parag...

  8. #8

    The Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe
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    The Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe is a multi-layered work that delves into matters of identity, freedom, and colonization across three interconnected novellas set on twin colony worlds. The book explores themes of uncertainty, ambiguity, and the nature of reality through the lens of unreliable narrators and intricate storytelling techniques. Wolfe's prose is described as beautiful, deep, and technically perfect, creating a complex yet rewarding reading experience.

    When I was a boy my brother David and I had to go to bed early whether we were sleepy or not. In summer particularly, bedtime often came before sunset; and because our dormitory was in the east wing o...

  9. #9

    Man in the Dark by Paul Auster
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    "Man in the Dark" by Paul Auster revolves around August Brill, an elderly man dealing with insomnia, who creates stories to distract himself from his own life struggles. The novel delves into themes of personal loss, national decline, and the impact of historical events on individuals. Through interweaving narratives, Auster explores the complexities of relationships, grief, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction. The writing style is described as elegant, complex, and reflective, with a focus on introspection and storytelling.

    I am alone in the dark, turning the world around in my head as I struggle through another bout of insomnia, another white night in the great American wilderness. Upstairs, my daughter and granddaughte...

  10. #10

    The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
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    The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien is a collection of short stories that revolve around the experiences of American soldiers during the Vietnam War. The novel delves into the emotional and psychological impacts of war on the soldiers, exploring themes of pain, guilt, truth, and the weight they carry both physically and emotionally. O'Brien's unique writing style incorporates a blend of fiction and memoir, portraying the harsh realities of war through different perspectives and memories, ultimately highlighting the complexities of human nature in times of conflict.

    First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried letters from a girl named Martha, a junior at Mount Sebastian College in New Jersey. They were not love letters, but Lieutenant Cross was hoping, so he kept them f...

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