Books matching: postmodern fiction
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- #1
Save:'The Tunnel' by William H. Gass is a monumental work of literature that delves into the mind of protagonist William Koehler, who spews raw hatred towards everything and everyone in his life. The narrative moves between flashbacks of domestic life, bitter childhood reminiscences, and rants filled with experimental wordplay and acidic humor, creating a dark and disturbing exploration of humanity and history.
The book is a challenging read, with a complex structure that intertwines Koehler's academic work with his personal confessions, revealing his embittered and resentful nature. Gass's writing style is described as extraordinary, poetic, and filled with metaphorical brilliance, offering a unique blend of beauty and grotesquerie that captivates and repels readers simultaneously.
A SATURDAY afternoon in November was approaching the time of twilight, and the vast tract of unenclosed wild known as Egdon Heath embrowned itself moment by moment. Overhead the hollow stretch of whit... - #2
Save:'The Recognitions' by William Gaddis is a complex and ambitious novel that delves into themes of forgery, fraud, art, religion, and the postmodern condition. The book follows a wide array of characters through various settings such as Paris, New York, and Spain, with each section bringing new scenes and characters that challenge the reader's perception. The writing style is described as intense, with each sentence packed with meaning and a vast array of references to literature and the arts, making it a challenging yet engrossing read.
Even Camilla had enjoyed masquerades, of the safe sort where the mask may be dropped at that critical moment it presumes itself as reality. But the procession up the foreign hill, bounded by cypress t... - #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:'The Mezzanine' by Nicholson Baker is a short novel that delves into the minutiae of everyday life, focusing on the protagonist's lunch hour journey to buy a pair of shoe laces. The book is praised for its detailed observations and footnotes that explore mundane objects and experiences, turning them into thought-provoking reflections on human existence. The writing style is described as immersive, charming, and filled with existential explorations that make even the simplest activities fascinating.
AT ALMOST ONE O’CLOCK I entered the lobby of the building where I worked and turned toward the escalators, carrying a black Penguin paperback and a small white CVS bag, its receipt stapled over the to... - #5
Save:'Snow White' by Donald Barthelme is a postmodern retelling of the classic fairy tale, turning the story inside out with a modern twist. The book follows Snow White, a vain and lascivious character living with the seven dwarves in the East Village. The narrative is fragmented, combining poetry, play-like elements, and regular fiction, creating a unique and thought-provoking reading experience. Barthelme's language wizardry and clever storytelling explore themes of alienation, intimacy, and societal critique within a playful and sometimes sarcastic framework.
The novel challenges traditional storytelling forms and subverts fairy tale cliches, offering a fresh and unconventional take on the Snow White story. Through disjointed storytelling and complex character relationships, Barthelme delves into modern human emotional instability and explores the blurred lines between fantasy and reality. The book's fragmented structure and bold narrative choices provide a captivating and intellectually engaging read, pushing the boundaries of conventional fiction and inviting readers to question established literary norms.
BILL is tired of Snow White now. But he cannot tell her. No, that would not be the way. Bill can’t bear to be touched. That is new too. To have anyone touch him is unbearable. Not just Snow White but ... - #6
Save:'The Broom of the System' by David Foster Wallace is a novel that delves into the life of Lenore Beadsman, a young woman dealing with a variety of complex relationships and personal struggles. The story is filled with bizarre characters, intricate plot threads, and a mix of humor and philosophical musings. The narrative explores themes of language, metaphysical reality, and the limitations of human experience through a blend of witty dialogue and clever storytelling techniques.
The writing style in 'The Broom of the System' is described as inventive, funny, and at times adolescent, showcasing Wallace's early enthusiasm for experimenting with language and narrative structure. The novel is praised for its complex storytelling, multi-layered plot, and humorous vignettes that offer insights into contemporary reality through a lens of absurdity and wit.
Most really pretty girls have pretty ugly feet, and so does Mindy Metalman, Lenore notices, all of a sudden. They’re long and thin and splay-toed, with buttons of yellow callus on the little toes and ... - #7
Save:City of Glass is a postmodern mystery novel that blurs the lines between reality and fiction, identity and language. The protagonist, Daniel Quinn, is a mystery writer who takes on the role of a detective in a surreal investigation. As Quinn delves deeper into the case, following a man named Peter Stillman, he becomes entangled in a complex web of identities and narratives, questioning the nature of self and storytelling. The book's writing style combines elements of classic detective fiction with postmodernist themes, creating a narrative that is both compelling and thought-provoking.
IT was a wrong number that started it, the telephone ringing three times in the dead of night, and the voice on the other end asking for someone he was not. Much later, when he was able to think about... - #8
Save:"Falling Man" by Don DeLillo revolves around the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, showcasing the experiences and struggles of different characters directly impacted by the event. It delves into the processing of the traumatic experience from various perspectives, including survivors, terrorists, and family members. The narrative is deliberately fragmented, moving in time and place, creating a sense of detachment and confusion that mirrors the harsh reality of the outside world. Through vignettes of narrative and character thought, the novel explores themes of trauma, memory, and the fragility of life in the face of a national tragedy.
DeLillo's writing style in "Falling Man" is described as sparse yet powerful, with moments of compelling prose that evoke strong mood and tone. offers a unique take on the subject of 9/11, providing firsthand insight into the world of a survivor and capturing the feeling of confusion and helplessness that permeated society during that time. Despite its fragmented structure and heavy language, the novel successfully immerses the reader in the experiences of the characters, allowing them to physically feel the disorientation and emotional weight of the events depicted.
It was not a street anymore but a world, a time and space of falling ash and near night. He was walking north through rubble and mud and there were people running past holding towels to their faces or... - #9
Save:'White Noise' by Don DeLillo is a postmodern novel that delves into the fear of death and the absurdities of modern American society. The book follows Jack Gladney, a professor of Hitler Studies, as he navigates a world filled with toxic chemicals, media saturation, and the constant background noise of technology. Through bizarre non sequiturs, dark humor, and layered metaphors, the novel explores themes of mortality, consumerism, and the struggle to find meaning in a chaotic world. DeLillo's unique writing style blends sharp social commentary with surreal elements, creating a narrative that is both thought-provoking and satirical.
The plot of 'White Noise' is fragmented and nonlinear, reflecting the disjointed nature of contemporary life. DeLillo's prose is characterized by witty one-liners, profound observations, and dark humor, drawing readers into a world where mundane events are tinged with existential dread. As the characters grapple with their fears and anxieties, the novel challenges traditional notions of narrative structure and character development, offering a complex and multifaceted exploration of the human experience in a modern, technologically driven society.
White Noise has often been dubbed Don DeLillo's "breakout book." This term is usually meant in one of two ways: either that the work has achieved greater commercial success than an author's previous w... - #10
Save:"Mao II" by Don DeLillo explores the link between terrorism and novelists, delving into themes of capital excess, terrorism, the media, and the cult of personality around writers. The story primarily follows a famous recluse writer named Bill Gray, his obsessive-compulsive assistant, a teenager brainwashed by the Reverend Moon, and a professional photographer. DeLillo's writing style is described as masterful prose with detached and philosophic dialog, filled with unrealistic but intentional character interactions. The novel is noted for its intense fascination with crowds and mass movements, as well as its exploration of how terrorists have supplanted the role of novelists in capturing the public's imagination.
He walked among the bookstore shelves, hearing Muzak in the air. There were rows of handsome covers, prosperous and assured. He felt a fine excitement, hefting a new book, fitting hand over sleek spin...
