Books matching: paranoia and absurdity
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- #1
Save:"Memoirs Found in a Bathtub" by Stanisław Lem is a Kafkaesque tale set in a post-apocalyptic world where a cataclysmic paper blight has wiped out all existing knowledge. The story follows a nameless protagonist navigating through a massive underground bureaucracy, trying to uncover a mysterious mission while being surrounded by double agents, bureaucratic obstacles, and a sense of paranoia. The writing style involves wordplay, satire, and a circuitous path that leads the reader through a labyrinth of espionage and absurdity, leaving the protagonist and the reader questioning reality and purpose.
. . . I couldn’t seem to find the right room—none of them had the number designated on my pass. First I wound up at the Department of Verification, then the Department of Misinformation, then some cle...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Ijon Tichy ) - #2
Save:Running Dog by Don DeLillo is a novel that delves into post-Vietnam America, government agencies, the media, and individuals with excess wealth and time. The storyline, although centered around a quest for a secret Hitler sex tape, serves as a framework for the author to dissect various aspects of society brilliantly. The narrative takes unexpected turns, showcasing the machinations people go through to obtain and create pornography, while also exploring themes of power, degradation, lust, and senselessness.
You won’t find ordinary people here. Not after dark, on these streets, under the ancient warehouse canopies. Of course you know this. This is the point. It’s why you’re here, obviously. Wind comes gus... - #3
Save:"Gravity's Rainbow" by Thomas Pynchon is a complex and dense novel set in Europe at the end of World War II, focusing on the design, production, and dispatch of V 2 rockets by the German military. The story revolves around the quest of various characters to uncover the secret of a mysterious device named the Schwarzgerät, which is to be installed in a rocket with the serial number 00000. Pynchon's writing style is frequently digressive, subverting traditional elements of plot and character development, and incorporating detailed knowledge from various disciplines.
The novel is known for its innovation and complexity, often praised for pushing the boundaries of postmodern writing. However, some readers find the book challenging due to the multitude of characters, intricate plotlines, and the author's tendency to jump about seemingly at random. Despite its challenging nature, "Gravity's Rainbow" is recognized for its poetic and beautiful moments, as well as its exploration of themes related to the quest for being and the breaking down of social constructions.
It is too late. The Evacuation still proceeds, but it's all theatre. There are no lights inside the cars. No light anywhere. Above him lift girders old as an iron queen, and glass somewhere far above ... - #4
Save:Pitch Dark by Renata Adler is a novel divided into three sections, following the story of Kate Ennis and her tumultuous relationship with a married man. The narrative is nonlinear and fragmented, exploring themes of unrequited love and self-reflection as Kate navigates through her emotions and experiences in Ireland and London. Adler's writing style is described as sharp, witty, and satirical, creating a sense of unease and surprise for the reader while maintaining a pleasurable reading experience.
My back went up, Viola Teagarden used to say, with a little thrill of self-importance, pride and pleasure, head raised, nostrils flaring, back straightening slightly, as though she had received a smal... - #5
Save:Vineland by Thomas Pynchon is a complex and surreal novel set in 1984, exploring themes of the America of the times, the counter culture of the 60s, and the Reagan era. The book delves into the lives of burnt out hippies, insane DEA agents, and a monomaniacal FBI agent, creating a narrative that weaves through parallel histories and layers of society, challenging readers with convoluted plots and a unique writing style that immerses them in a world of paranoia, absurdity, and intricate characters.
LATER than usual one summer morning in 1984, Zoyd Wheeler drifted awake in sunlight through a creeping fig that hung in the window, with a squadron of blue jays stomping around on the roof. In his dre... - #6
Save:The novella "Chasing Homer" by Laszlo Krasznahorkai follows an unnamed narrator being pursued by assassins through the Adriatic Coast, mirroring the journey of Odysseus. The book is characterized by its bare-bones punctuation, short length, and one or two ridiculously long run-on sentences per chapter, creating an impression of a raving, paranoid individual. The narrative style, along with the illustrations and design of the book, enhances the reading experience, making it both enjoyable and unnerving.
The book includes QR codes for each chapter that lead to a song specifically created for the book, adding a unique soundtrack element to the reading experience. The story is complimented by accompanying music and paintings, contributing to the overall immersive nature of the novella. Despite its short length, the book manages to capture the modern experience effectively, utilizing thick paper, blank pages, and befitting artwork to evoke a sense of madness and paranoia, leaving readers intrigued and engaged.
- #7
Save:The Ark Sakura by Kobo Abe is a surreal and bizarre story that follows a character named Mole, who believes the world is on the brink of a nuclear holocaust and decides to build an ark in an abandoned quarry to save humanity. The plot is filled with absurd and original elements, including strange characters like an insect seller, a couple of shills, and a group of old men known as The Broom Brigade. The writing style is described as mesmerizing, imaginative, and darkly humorous, with a mix of dystopian vision and slapstick humor.
Once a month I go shopping downtown, near the prefectural offices. It takes me the better part of an hour to drive there, but since my purchases include a lot of specialized items—faucet packing, spar...
