Books matching: mortal experience
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- #1
Save:In 'Reaper Man' by Terry Pratchett, Death finds himself out of a job when the auditors of reality decide he has developed too much of a personality. As a result, Death becomes mortal and must experience life among humans until the new Death arrives. With the Discworld temporarily without a Death, chaos ensues as things cannot die properly and excess life force accumulates, leading to strange occurrences like inanimate objects coming to life. The book humorously explores Death's journey of living in the real world and facing the consequences of his forced retirement.
The plot of 'Reaper Man' follows Death adjusting to life on Discworld, helping out on a farm and experiencing the joys and challenges of being mortal. Meanwhile, the story delves into the repercussions of Death's absence, such as the buildup of life energy causing unusual phenomena and the struggle to find a replacement Death. Through witty writing and clever storytelling, Terry Pratchett weaves together themes of life, death, and the importance of balance in the universe with a touch of humor and philosophical musings.
It is danced under blue skies to celebrate the quickening of the soil and under bare stars because it’s springtime and with any luck the carbon dioxide will unfreeze again. The imperative is felt by d...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Discworld ) - #2
Save:'Collected Poems' by Philip Larkin is a collection of poetry that showcases the author's ability to capture the essence of life with laser precision and strict rhythm. Larkin's poetry is described as deliberate, meditative, and often explores themes of grumpiness, regret, selfishness, and the human condition. The poems in this collection are known for their honesty, simplicity, and profound reflections on life and mortality, with a touch of dark humor and cynicism.
Larkin's writing style is praised for its clarity, authenticity, and the way he expresses his innermost thoughts and emotions through concise and poignant verses. The poems in this collection cover a wide range of topics, from personal reflections and observations to societal commentary, all delivered with a unique voice that resonates with readers on a deep and emotional level.
I ‘All catches alight’ Poetry from Oxford in Wartime (POW), February 1945 early 1944 II ‘This was your place of birth …’ Cherwell, 28 February 1942 III ‘The moon is full tonight’ POW, 1945 1943–4 IV D... Many readers find 'Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography' by Roland Barthes to be a complex and challenging read, especially for students without a deep interest in photography. The book delves into the philosophical aspects of photography, with Barthes discussing concepts like punctum and studium, while also reflecting on personal experiences and emotions related to photography, such as his tribute to his mother. The writing style is described as dense and filled with complex language, requiring a deep understanding of photography and its nuances to fully appreciate the content.
One day, quite some time ago, I happened on a photograph of Napoleon's youngest brother, Jerome, taken in 1852. And I realized then, with an amazement I have not been able to lessen since: "I am looki...- #4
Save:Camp Concentration by Thomas M. Disch is a science fiction novel set in a dystopian future where prisoners are injected with a compound that boosts their intelligence before leading them to madness and death. The story follows a poet imprisoned as a conscientious objector who chronicles this experiment. The novel explores themes of creativity, government control, and the consequences of scientific advancements. Written in a diary format, the book delves into philosophical dialogue, psychological suspense, and dark satire, depicting the paranoia and horror of the Vietnam era. Disch's writing style is described as beautiful, hard-hitting, and filled with literary references and quotes.
- #5
Save:'The Midnight Club' by Christopher Pike is a poignant and touching story set in a hospice for teenagers facing terminal illnesses. The book explores themes of friendship, love, mortality, and the importance of coming to terms with death through the lens of a group of teens who gather at midnight to share stories. The writing style is engaging, focusing on character development and relationships rather than traditional plot progression, with elements of reincarnation and past lives woven into the narrative.
Ilonka Pawluk checked herself out in the mirror and decided she didn't look like she was going to die. Her face was thin, true, as was the rest of her, but her blue eyes were bright, her long brown ha... 'Adventures in Human Being: A Grand Tour from the Cranium to the Calcaneum' by Gavin Francis is a captivating exploration of the human body that combines medical knowledge with folklore, history, and personal anecdotes. Francis takes readers on a journey through different body parts, sharing patient stories, cultural significances, and philosophical reflections. The book is a mix of medical information, historical insights, and poetic writing style that offers a unique perspective on the human anatomy.
- #7
Save:The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient text that surprises readers with its depth and timeless storytelling. It explores themes such as existentialism, friendship, self-doubt, and wisdom through the epic journey of Gilgamesh and his companions. The book is a collection of stories that have influenced later narratives, such as those found in the Bible, and offers a glimpse into the early days of human literature.
The stanza which gives Anu’s reaction has been dropped in the late edition of the epic, but by good fortune it is preserved as a short extract from an older version of the text, which was written by a... - #8
Save:The Dream Songs by John Berryman is a collection of over 300 poems that delve into the mind of the protagonist Henry. The poems are filled with themes of death, God, and mortality, presented in a mix of playfulness and seriousness. The writing style is described as turbulent, mad, feverish, and cryptic, with convoluted syntax and unexpected rhyme schemes. The narrator, Henry, engages in dialogues with another character known as Mr. Bones, adding layers of complexity to the poems.
- #9
Save:The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin follows the lives of four Gold siblings who visit a fortuneteller in the late 1960s to learn the exact date of their deaths. Each sibling deals with this knowledge in a unique way, shaping their lives and choices. The novel is structured into four parts, each dedicated to one sibling's story, showcasing the impact of fate versus personal will, the power of choice, and the struggle between reality and dreams. Chloe Benjamin weaves a tale of family, destiny, and the intertwining of lives through a blend of realism and a touch of magic.
When Saul dies, Simon is in physics class, drawing concentric circles meant to represent the rings of an electron shell but which to Simon mean nothing at all. With his daydreaming and his dyslexia, h... - #10
Save:"In Our Time" by Ernest Hemingway is a collection of short stories and vignettes that offer a glimpse into the World War One generation. The book explores themes such as war, relationships, home, modernity, maturity, family, and more through the lens of Hemingway's spare prose style. The stories cover a range of topics including war scenes, personal relationships, bullfighting, and nature, all while reflecting on the experiences and aftermath of World War I.
The book is structured in a unique and engaging manner, with a mix of short bursts of micro fiction and longer stories that follow the character Nick Adams from boyhood to manhood, through the horrors of war and back to small-town America. Hemingway's writing style is described as clean, crisp, and minimalistic, offering vivid descriptions of landscapes and emotions with precision and clarity, creating a powerful and timeless reading experience.
Nick and his father got in the stern of the boat and the Indians shoved it off and one of them got in to row. Uncle George sat in the stern of the camp rowboat. The young Indian shoved the camp boat o...
