Books matching: nostalgia for the past
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- #1
Save:The City and the House by Natalia Ginzburg is an epistolary novel that unfolds through letters exchanged among a group of friends over several years. The story revolves around the characters' personal relationships, including friendships, marriages, births, and deaths, while highlighting the disintegration of family bonds and the drifting apart of loved ones. The narrative is set in and around Rome and Perugia, focusing on the lives of characters like Giuseppe, Lucrezia, Piero, Serina, Albina, Egisto, and others who gather at a country house called La Margherite. The book captures the yearning for the past, the formation of new social circles, and the acceptance of imperfect relationships that hold significance in the characters' lives.
The novel's writing style is characterized by the exchange of letters that reveal the characters' emotions, conflicts, and evolving dynamics. The lack of omniscient narration gives the story a flat tone, allowing readers to witness the characters' personal revelations, disagreements, and attempts to maintain intimacy despite physical distances. Through the letters, the author delves into themes of love, loss, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships, presenting a narrative that is both nostalgic and poignant.
- #2
Save:"Time and Again" by Jack Finney is a time travel novel set in New York City, where the main character, Si Morley, travels between the 1970s and the 1880s. The story combines elements of mystery and romance as Si navigates the ethical dilemmas of time travel and the consequences of altering history. The book is praised for its detailed descriptions of both time periods and the immersive experience it provides for the reader.
IN SHIRT-SLEEVES, the way I generally worked, I sat sketching a bar of soap taped to an upper corner of my drawing board. The gold-foil wrapper was carefully peeled back so that you could still read m... - #3
Save:'Old Christmas' by Washington Irving is a collection of essays that paint a vivid picture of Christmas celebrations in old England. The book takes the reader on a journey through various aspects of Christmas, from the preparations leading up to the big day to the joyous festivities that follow. Irving's writing is rich in detail and description, allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the traditions and customs of a bygone era. The book captures the essence of a traditional English Christmas, complete with nostalgic reflections and heartwarming tales of yesteryears.
The storytelling in 'Old Christmas' is structured in a series of essays that explore different facets of the holiday season, from the joy of reuniting with loved ones to the traditions and rituals that define the Christmas festivities. Irving's writing style transports the reader back in time, evoking a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the simpler pleasures of the holiday season. Each essay in the book offers a glimpse into the past, highlighting the enduring charm of old-fashioned Christmas celebrations and the importance of upholding traditions across generations.
- #4
Save:The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig is a heartwarming tale set in rural Montana in the early 1900s. The story follows the Milliron family, a widower and his three sons, who hire a housekeeper named Rose Llewellyn and her brother Morrie. The arrival of Rose and Morrie brings order and joy to the household, with Morrie eventually becoming a teacher at the local one-room schoolhouse. Through the lens of a seventh-grade narrator, the book explores themes of family, education, and community in a simpler time, with a touch of mystery and intrigue woven into the plot.
The writing style of Ivan Doig in The Whistling Season is described as nostalgic, humorous, and engaging. Readers appreciate the vivid imagery and descriptive language that transport them to early 20th-century Montana. The characters are well-developed, the plot is captivating, and the book offers a blend of innocence, humor, and heartfelt moments that resonate with readers of all ages.
WHEN I VISIT the back corners of my life again after so long a time, littlest things jump out first. The oilcloth, tiny blue windmills on white squares, worn to colorless smears at our four places at ... - #5
Save:The Wanderers by Richard Price is an episodic novel that focuses on the antics of an Italian American Bronx-based gang in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The story follows the last months of the teenage street gang called The Wanderers, exploring their relationships, schools, neighborhoods, and often dysfunctional families. The novel is structured like a series of interconnected short stories, with characters popping in and out of the set events as we move through the lives of the gang members. Richard Price's gritty, dialogue-driven writing style, known for its high energy dialogue and real street language, captures the essence of the era and the rawness of the characters' experiences.
THERE HE WAS in Big Playground. Richie Gennaro. Seventeen. High Warlord of the Wanderers. Surrounded by the Warlords of the Rays, Pharaohs, and the Executioners. Touchy allies. Tense convention. Issue... - #6
Save:"Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other" by Sherry Turkle delves into the impact of digital immersion on human relationships, exploring how technology is changing the way we interact with one another. Turkle, a clinical psychologist and MIT professor, discusses the dangers of replacing human connections with interactions with machines, highlighting the negative effects of digital immersion on emotional, psychological, and social development. Through observations and interviews with children, teens, and adults, Turkle raises concerns about the consequences of prioritizing virtual relationships over face-to-face interactions, leading to a lack of deep connections and discomfort with solitude.
Turkle's book is divided into two parts, with the first addressing human-robot interaction and the second focusing on the reshaping of human social contact through mobile phones and online networks. She presents a thought-provoking analysis of how people are turning to technology as a substitute for genuine human connection, leading to a society that is more self-centered and less social. By weaving together research, personal anecdotes, and philosophical reflections, Turkle challenges readers to reconsider their relationship with technology and its impact on authentic relationships.
My first brush with a computer program that offered companionship was in the mid-1970s. I was among MIT students using Joseph Weizenbaum’s ELIZA, a program that engaged in dialogue in the style of a p... 'Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism' by Anne Applebaum delves into the rise of authoritarianism across the globe, focusing on countries like Poland, Hungary, Britain, and the USA. Through a combination of historical analysis and current political trends, the author explores how the attraction towards authoritarian leaders is fueled by factors such as globalization, the internet, and social media. Applebaum also examines the shift in political ideologies among her former friends who were once part of democratic movements, highlighting the complexities of modern democracy and the dangers posed by the erosion of liberal democratic values.
ON DECEMBER 31, 1999, we threw a party. It was the end of one millennium and the start of a new one, and people very much wanted to celebrate, preferably somewhere exotic. Our party fulfilled that cri...- #8
Save:'The Galton Case' follows private investigator Lew Archer as he is hired to find the long-lost son of a wealthy widow, Maria Galton. The missing son, Anthony Galton, disappeared twenty years earlier after marrying a woman his parents disapproved of. Now, his mother wants to make amends and locate him to give him his share of the inheritance. As Archer delves into the case, he uncovers a complex web of mysteries, twists, and connections, all while exploring themes of identity, human relationships, and the impact of the past on the present. The plot unfolds with unexpected turns, leading Archer through different levels of life and creating a detective novel with greater depth than the author's previous works.
Ross Macdonald's writing style in 'The Galton Case' is praised for its intricate and elaborate plot, satisfying twists, and well-developed characters. is described as a classic mystery filled with suspense, where the detective protagonist navigates through a twisted and engaging narrative that keeps readers guessing until the end. The author's ability to craft a compelling storyline, combined with his skill in depicting societal aspects and character assessments, adds layers of complexity and depth to the detective fiction genre.
THE law offices of Wellesley and Sable were over a savings bank on the main street of Santa Teresa. Their private elevator lifted you from a bare little lobby into an atmosphere of elegant simplicity....
(Also, see 94 recommendations for the series Lew Archer ) - #9
Save:'The Lost Words' by Robert Macfarlane is a stunning and magnificent work that combines beautiful poems and exquisite illustrations to bring attention to the diminishing natural world. is described as a must-have for those who care about nature, with high-quality pages and luxurious artwork that captivates readers of all ages. The poems are evocative and inspiring, teaching readers about the beauty of nature in a unique and enchanting way. also aims to address the issue of children losing touch with the names of plants and animals in the world around them, using acrostic poems and lovely paintings to reconnect readers with the wonders of the natural world.
- #10
Save:'One Fine Day' by Mollie Panter-Downes is a novel that takes place in the aftermath of World War II, focusing on a British family's daily life in July 1946. The story follows Laura, Stephen, and their daughter Victoria as they navigate the challenges of adapting to a post-war world. The narrative captures the themes of change, adaptation, and social upheaval, portraying the struggles of the middle and upper classes in adjusting to a new reality without their former domestic help. Through beautiful writing and vivid descriptions of the English countryside, the book explores the characters' experiences and emotions as they come to terms with the changes brought about by the war.
