Books matching: narrative structure
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- #1
Save:Tides of War by Steven Pressfield is a historical fiction novel revolving around the Athenian general Alcibiades during the Peloponnesian War. The narrative is told through multiple perspectives, including that of Alcibiades' assassin, providing a deep exploration of the political and social context of ancient Greece. Despite some readers finding the narrative structure confusing, the book delves into the life and career of Alcibiades and his impact on the war, offering insights into the perils of public opinion in a democracy.
The span of my grandfather’s years ran from the imperial days of Pericles, the construction of the Parthenon and Erechtheum, through the Great Plague, the rise and fall of Alcibiades, and the full ten... - #2
Save:In 'Life After Life' by Kate Atkinson, the protagonist Ursula Todd experiences multiple lives, each starting with her birth in 1910 and ending with her death. She navigates through different scenarios, making various choices that lead to alternate outcomes. The novel explores themes of reincarnation, fate, and the impact of individual decisions on one's life path. Through Ursula's repeated lives, the story delves into historical events like World War I and II, showcasing how small changes can have significant consequences. Atkinson's writing style weaves together elements of mystery, drama, and introspection, inviting readers to ponder the complexities of life and the concept of second chances.
SYLVIE WAS WOKEN by a dazzling sliver of sunlight piercing the curtains like a shining silver sword. She lay languidly in lace and cashmere as Mrs Glover came into the room, proudly bearing a huge bre... - #3
Save:Pretty Deadly #1 is a unique and unconventional comic book that blends Western, mythology, magical realism, and mysticism. The story follows Death personified as a major character in the Old West, intertwined with swordplay, gunfights, and a developing mythology. The plot is non-linear, starting in the middle and hinting at past events without fully explaining the present, leaving readers intrigued and wanting to know more about the complex characters and their intertwined stories. The artwork by Emma Rios is described as frenetic, detailed, and fitting for the messy and brutal fight scenes depicted in the narrative.
- #4
Save:'The Secret of Ventriloquism' by Jon Padgett is a collection of short stories that delve into themes of misanthropy, free will, industrialization, and the mysteries of ventriloquism. The stories are unsettling, stimulating, and darkly funny, creating a mysterious and apocalyptic mythos that connects them in a fictional geography filled with thick smogs, dream logic, and the horrors of 'greater ventriloquism'. Padgett's writing style ranges from mood pieces to vivid character-driven narratives, all contributing to an escalating feeling of unease and malaise, making this book a masterful example of weird horror fiction.
“Sam wants you dead,” he whispered in my ear one day at our grandmother’s house. My brother had received a pellet gun—a Crosman 760 Powermaster—for his twelfth birthday. Soon after our arrival, I watc... - #5
Save:'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders is a unique and creative novel that delves into the afterlife or "bardo" period, exploring the experiences of ghosts stuck in a state between life and death. The story revolves around the death of Abraham Lincoln's young son, Willie, and how his passing affects both the living and the deceased characters in the narrative. The writing style is described as a clever interplay of historical facts and fiction, with a mix of dialogue, citations, and references creating a novel way of storytelling that immerses readers in a world of sadness, humor, and introspection.
The book skillfully weaves together themes of grief, acceptance, love, and the complexities of human emotions, all set against the backdrop of the Civil War era and Abraham Lincoln's personal struggles. Through a diverse cast of characters, including both historical figures and fictional ghosts, the novel offers a poignant exploration of life, death, and the interconnectedness of humanity, ultimately leaving readers with a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant reading experience.
On our wedding day I was forty-six, she was eighteen. Now, I know what you are thinking: older man (not thin, somewhat bald, lame in one leg, teeth of wood) exercises the marital prerogative, thereby ... - #6
Save:'A Visit from the Goon Squad' by Jennifer Egan is a novel that intricately weaves together interconnected stories of various characters, exploring themes of aging, time, and redemption. The narrative jumps between different characters' perspectives, timelines, and writing styles, creating a complex and layered reading experience. The book delves into the lives of individuals in New York City, particularly those in the music industry, showcasing their struggles, relationships, and personal growth over the years. Through a series of disjointed vignettes and creative storytelling techniques like Power Point presentations and mobile texts, the author paints a vivid picture of life in the Big Apple and the impact of time on the characters' journeys.
It began the usual way, in the bathroom of the Lassimo Hotel. Sasha was adjusting her yellow eye shadow in the mirror when she noticed a bag on the floor beside the sink that must have belonged to the... - #7
Save:Set in a dystopian future, "Oryx and Crake" tells the story of how the world was all but destroyed from the perspective of Snowman a.k.a. Jimmy, whose best friend Crake is the person responsible for that destruction. Through flashbacks, Snowman recalls what led up to Crake's decision to obliterate mankind and populate the new earth with genetically engineered creatures known as The children of Crake. The book bounces back and forth between a dystopia and a post-apocalyptic setting, using flashbacks and oblique references to narrate a story that challenges beliefs and ideas ingrained in society. Margaret Atwood crafts a well-written science fiction morality play that does not dumb down the story with exposition or hokey explanations, asking big questions without answering them directly.
Snowman wakes before dawn. He lies unmoving, listening to the tide coming in, wave after wave sloshing over the various barricades, wish-wash, wish-wash, the rhythm of heartbeat. He would so like to b... - #8V.by:
Save:"V." by Thomas Pynchon is a complex and immersive novel that delves into the cyclical nature of history through two distinct perspectives. The storyline follows the lives of Benny Profane and Pig Bodine in 1950s New York, intertwined with Stencil's quest to uncover the mysterious figure known as V. The novel is a mix of historical digressions, lyrical flights of fancy, and enigmatic meta-textual threads, all contributing to its reputation as a postmodern literary masterpiece.
Pynchon's writing style in "V." is described as dense, absurd, disturbing, and at times, challenging. The novel is filled with rich and vivid symbolism, intricate connections between characters, and historical references that add layers of complexity to the narrative. Readers are taken on a journey that oscillates between moments of confusion and clarity, ultimately leading to a profound exploration of human relationships and the impact of history on the present.
Christmas Eve, 1955, Benny Profane, wearing black levis, suede jacket, sneakers and big cowboy hat, happened to pass through Norfolk, Virginia. Given to sentimental impulses, he thought he'd look in o... - #9
Save:'Hotel World' by Ali Smith is a non-traditional novel that follows the interconnected lives of five characters linked by a tragic event at a hotel. The story is told through various narrative voices, including a teenage ghost, a homeless woman, a young front desk worker, and guests connected to the hotel. The book explores themes of love, life, death, and the impact of our lives on others even after we die. The writing style is described as fragmented, challenging, and at times stream of consciousness, offering different perspectives and unique storytelling techniques.
The plot of 'Hotel World' revolves around a freak accident involving a teenage chambermaid at a hotel, leading to a series of narratives from different characters connected to the incident. The prose is both disturbing and funny, with a mix of sorrow, isolation, and poignancy that delves into the psyches of the characters. The book features unusual narrative structures that vividly describe the characters, making readers feel deeply for everyone involved in the interconnected stories.
hooooooo what a fall what a soar what a plummet what a dash into dark into light what a plunge what a glide thud crash what a drop what a rush what a swoop what a fright what a mad hushed skirl what a... - #10
Save:"Encounter with Tiber" by Buzz Aldrin and John Barnes is a hard science fiction novel that delves deep into the technical aspects of science, physics, and futuristic possibilities of space travel. The story follows the saga of man's travel into space and the development of higher technology spacecraft, with a focus on the interesting alien Tiberians and the process of discovering what they left behind. The authors expertly combine detailed technical and political details, creating a fluent and compelling narrative that explores the implications of mankind finding evidence of advanced alien visitors.
The narrative of "Encounter with Tiber" presents a plausible scenario of mankind's reaction to discovering artifacts left by ancient alien visitors, leading to the development of new concepts and technologies for space exploration. The story is a mix of two separate narratives that eventually intertwine, offering a unique perspective on space travel through the eyes of veteran astronaut Buzz Aldrin. With well-developed characters, fast-paced storytelling, and minimal distractions from the main plot, the book captures the reader's imagination and keeps them engaged until the very end.
“Mom’ll understand. She was married to an astronaut once, you know,” Jason said. A part of Clio winced at that, for Jason’s father, her great-uncle Chris Terence, had died on a mission, decades before...
