Books matching: moral corruption
100 result(s)
Readers also searched for:
- #1
Octave Mirbeau's 'Torture Garden' is a disturbing and brutal piece of fiction that serves as a seething satire of political and moral corruption. The plot follows a French debauchee who, after encountering a mysterious Englishwoman named Clara, becomes entangled in a world of lust, filth, and ultimate evil. Through vivid descriptions of a garden filled with implements of sacrifice and torture, the novel explores themes of hypocrisy, depravity, and the dark underbelly of civilization. Mirbeau's writing style paints a picture of grotesque beauty, intertwining horror with hauntingly lush imagery.
Twelve years ago, no longer knowing what to do and condemned by a series of misfortunes to the harsh necessity of either hanging myself or throwing myself into the Seine as a final resort, I put mysel... - #2
"Elmer Gantry" by Sinclair Lewis is a satiric indictment of fundamentalist religion, focusing on the journey of the title character, Elmer Gantry, from a greedy, shallow Baptist minister to a leader of a large Methodist congregation. The novel explores themes of hypocrisy in the ministry and among parishioners, with Gantry encountering fellow religious hypocrites and becoming romantically involved with some of them. Despite being exposed as a fraud multiple times, Gantry remains a compelling and enduring character in the book.
The story of "Elmer Gantry" is a scathing commentary on evangelical Christianity, small-town America's hypocrisy, and the manipulation and abuses prevalent in organized religion. Sinclair Lewis expertly portrays Elmer Gantry as a narcissistic, unethical, and womanizing individual who rises to power as a preacher, using his charisma to control and exploit others. The novel delves into the dark side of religious institutions, highlighting the falseness and hypocrisy not only in Gantry but also in those around him, making it a relevant and thought-provoking read even in modern times.
Elmer Gantry was drunk. He was eloquently drunk, lovingly and pugnaciously drunk. He leaned against the bar of the Old Home Sample Room, the most gilded and urbane saloon in Cato, Missouri, and reques... - #3
The Gods Will Have Blood by Anatole France is a historical novel set during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror. The story follows Evariste Gamelin, a young artist turned judge on the Revolutionary Tribunal, who becomes increasingly ruthless in his pursuit of the Republican cause. As Gamelin condemns individuals to death, including those close to him, his transformation from an earnest man to a cold executioner unfolds against the backdrop of the violent and chaotic period of the Revolution. Through vivid character portrayals and a detailed exploration of the Revolution's fanaticism and terror, the novel provides a gripping and disturbing insight into the perils of blind commitment to ideology.
Évariste Gamelin strode purposefully up the nave: the arches, which for so long had heard the holy offices of the day chanted by the surplice-clad brothers of the community of St Paul, saw now the red... - #4
'Punktown' by Jeffrey Thomas is a collection of science fiction and horror stories set in an alien city on a distant planet. The stories feature a variety of sci-fi elements, with unique and mysterious alien cultures alongside flawed yet interesting human characters. The narrative style is described as terse and straightforward, creating highly visual paragraphs that convey the plot effectively while maintaining a heavy atmosphere. delves into themes of existential despair, individual tragedies, and the corrupting influence of the city of Punktown on its residents.
It was naked and fetal-curled like a withered spider, rain drops bursting all over its white skeletal body. Its face was turned up to the sky, lips folded back from a frozen gnash of black teeth. Its ... - #5
The Devil's Elixirs by E.T.A. Hoffmann is a classic Gothic novel that delves into themes of madness, crime, doppelgangers, and the temptation of the devil's elixir. The protagonist, a monk named Brother Medardus, becomes entangled in a web of mystery and darkness after drinking the enchanted wine from a monastery relic. As the plot unfolds, unexpected twists and turns keep the reader on the edge of their seat, revealing a labyrinthine inner and outward journey that leads the characters through Italy and into a realm of supernatural encounters.
Hoffmann's writing style in The Devil's Elixirs is described as bizarre, hyperbolic, emotionally overwrought, and fun. The novel combines elements of Gothic horror, romance, and mystery, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere filled with eccentric characters, intricate plot developments, and a touch of humor. The narrative structure includes multiple nested narratives, tangling up the plot in a way that adds to the overall excitement and suspense of the story.
My life, from my fourth to my sixteenth year, was spent at a lonely farm-house, on the banks of the river Saale, near the Cistertian Monastery of Kreuzberg. The house, though not large, had once been ... - #6
In 'The Nightrunners' by Joe R. Lansdale, the story follows Montgomery and Becky Jones, a couple who are trying to mend their fractured marriage following a traumatic event. Becky, a teacher, was brutally raped by some of her students, leading to a deep emotional and physical rift between her and Monty. In an attempt to find solace, they retreat to a friend's cabin in the woods, only to be pursued by the gang responsible for Becky's assault. As the gang, led by the psychopathic Brian Blackwood, closes in on them, a harrowing battle ensues, blending elements of supernatural horror and relentless violence. Lansdale's writing style is described as visceral, dark, and fast-paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the story unfolds with a sense of growing dread and palpable tension.
Well, he hadn't expected a mere change of scenery to correct that, but right here, near the end of their trip, at the true beginning of their vacation —if that was the proper word—he took it as a bad ... - #7
'Prayer' by Philip Kerr is a novel that delves into the realms of theological musings and religious fanaticism. The story follows Gil Martins, an FBI agent investigating domestic terrorism cases related to religion. The narrative touches on corruption within both Evangelical and Roman Catholic expressions of belief, contrasting a mega church with a money-grubbing pastor against a hurricane-ruined cathedral under the protection of a bishop complicit in protecting pedophile priests. As the plot unfolds, Martins faces a conspiracy surrounding the suspicious deaths of outspoken atheists, leading him to question his atheism and confront the possibility of divine judgement.
Kerr's writing style in 'Prayer' skillfully weaves together themes of ethics, spirituality, and skepticism, creating a thought-provoking narrative that challenges the reader's beliefs. The novel presents a dark and suspenseful atmosphere, exploring the tension between religion and rationality, with a denouement that surprises and leaves readers contemplating the nature of God and the existence of evil.
From the outside, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart resembled a prison. With its high windows, grey seamless concrete blocks and a free-standing bell-tower, the Sacred Heart did not look like a promis... - #8
In "Last Man in Tower" by Aravind Adiga, a group of middle-class residents living in a tower in Mumbai are faced with a lucrative offer from a real estate developer to sell their apartments. However, the deal is contingent on unanimous agreement, and tensions rise as one man, Masterji, refuses to sell, leading to a tragic chain of events. The book delves into themes of greed, human nature, and the complexities of relationships, set against the backdrop of modern Mumbai, showcasing the city as a character in itself. The narrative is filled with unforgettable characters and explores the dark side of human behavior with irony and subtle humor.
0A the security guard’s personal room 0B allotted to the Secretary of the Society for official work, with an alcove for the cleaning lady to store her broom, disinfectant, and mopping cloth 0C Felicia... - #9
The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford is a tale of passion, miscommunication, and deception set in the late 1890s, focusing on the intertwined lives of two couples. Narrated by the deceived husband, the story unfolds in a non-chronological order, revealing the complexities of relationships and the unreliability of perception. The novel delves into themes of betrayal, hidden truths, and the facade of societal expectations, offering a nuanced portrayal of human nature and societal norms of the Edwardian era.
THIS is the saddest story I have ever heard. We had known the Ashburnhams for nine seasons of the town of Nauheim with an extreme intimacy—or, rather with an acquaintanceship as loose and easy and yet... - #10
"The 120 Days of Sodom" by Marquis de Sade is a dark and controversial tale that revolves around four libertines who have gathered in a castle with a group of people for the sole purpose of engaging in depraved and extreme sexual acts. The book is more torture porn than philosophy, with graphic descriptions of various sexual acts, including child abuse and murder. The writing style is described as elegant yet extreme, with the first part being the most detailed while the following parts are presented in a note format, impacting the pacing and character development. The book delves into the depths of sexual depravity, challenging societal norms and pushing boundaries.
The company rose the 1st of November at ten o'clock in the morning, as was specified in the statutes which Messieurs had mutually sworn faithfully to observe in every particular. The four fuckers who ...