Books matching: self absorbed characters
67 result(s)
- #1
Save:Desperate Characters by Paula Fox is a novel set in the 1970s that follows the lives of Otto and Sophie Bentwood, a childless couple living in a brownstone in Brooklyn. The story revolves around Sophie being bitten by a stray cat, which symbolizes the encroaching unhappiness and desperation in their lives. The prose in the book is described as beautifully crafted, illustrating the couple's struggles with their marriage, gentrification of their neighborhood, and their own discontent.
Mr. and Mrs. Otto Bentwood drew out their chairs simultaneously. As he sat down, Otto regarded the straw basket which held slices of French bread, an earthenware casserole filled with sautéed chicken ... - #2
Save:Processed Cheese by Stephen Wright is a satirical novel that delves into consumer culture, hyper capitalism, and the obsession with money in America. The book features zany and cartoony characters who spend wildly, search for, and even consume hundred dollar bills. The storyline is a dark fable for our consumer-driven times, offering a relentless look at the shallow, materialistic nature of antiheroes and villains in society. Despite the interesting storyline and overarching social commentary, some readers found the book hard to follow due to its disconnected, inhuman, and selfish portrayal of a parallel reality.
- #3
Save:'Amsterdam' by Ian McEwan opens at a woman's funeral where two of her past lovers, Clive and Vernon, are discussing her death and loss. The two men, a publisher and a famous composer, agree to protect each other from a lingering painful death, leading to moral challenges and disapproval of each other's decisions. The plot revolves around the unethical actions of the characters, the absurd conclusion, and the questionable recipient of the Booker Prize, with readers expressing disappointment in the predictability of the storyline.
Poor Molly. It began with a tingling in her arm as she raised it outside the Dorchester Grill to stop a cab—a sensation that never went away. Within weeks she was fumbling for the names of things. Par... - #4
Save:'Ten Days in the Hills' by Jane Smiley revolves around a group of characters, mostly from Hollywood, who come together for a party in the Hills following the 2003 Academy Awards. The story delves into their conversations covering a wide range of topics such as movies, love, war, secrets, lies, and of course, love and sex. The novel takes the readers on a ten-day journey filled with conflicts, decadent Hollywood characters, and the exploration of the real and fantasy world of Hollywood movies.
Max was still sleeping, neatly, as always, his head framed by the sunny white of his rectangular pillow, his eyelids smooth over the orbs of his eyes, his lips pale and soft, his bare shoulders square... - #5
Save:'Prague' by Arthur Phillips is a novel that follows the lives of five American expatriates living in Budapest in the spring of 1990 after the Velvet Revolution. The book delves into themes of ennui, homesickness, culture shock, and the complexities of being young and restless in a foreign country. The writing style of Arthur Phillips is described as exquisite, evocative, and expertly weaving the story of Budapest's past into the lives of the characters.
- #6
Save:'All Names Have Been Changed' by Claire Kilroy is set in Dublin in the 1980s and follows a group of students at Trinity College who are taking a creative writing class taught by the troubled writer Professor Patrick Glynn. The story delves into the dynamics within the group, the individual reactions of the characters towards each other and towards Glynn, as well as the unraveling of Glynn's personal and professional life. The narrative explores themes of obsession, idolization, disillusionment, and the complexities of relationships during a time of recession.
- #7
Save:The Echo Chamber by John Boyne follows the Cleverley family, consisting of George, a famous TV show host, his novelist wife Beverly, and their three spoiled adult children. As the family navigates the pitfalls of social media, cancel culture, and virtue signaling, their privileged lives begin to unravel, exposing their flaws and absurdities. Boyne's writing style is described as satirical, humorous, and thought-provoking, offering a critical view of modern society's obsession with social media and the consequences of online behavior.
'Taipei' by Tao Lin is a novel that follows the life of Paul, a twenty-something author living in Manhattan, who navigates his way through life using a combination of drugs and medications. The story unfolds as Paul drifts through literary events, restaurants, and travels to Taiwan, all the while forming relationships and indulging in drug use. The narrative style is described as paragraph-long sentences broken up with commas and em dashes, requiring re-reading to fully comprehend, providing a glimpse into Lin's own life and musings on technology, life, emotions, and relationships.
It began raining a little from a hazy, cloudless-seeming sky as Paul, 26, and Michelle, 21, walked toward Chelsea to attend a magazine-release party in an art gallery. Paul had resigned to not speakin...- #9
Save:'Little Cruelties' by Liz Nugent is a character-driven psychological family drama that delves into the dysfunctional relationships within the Drumm family, particularly focusing on three brothers - William, Brian, and Luke. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of each brother, revealing their shared history of betrayals, resentments, and toxic dynamics under the influence of their self-absorbed and manipulative mother. The storyline teases the reader with the mystery of which brother has died, keeping the revelation until the very end and showcasing the dark themes of addiction, betrayal, loss, and rivalry.
The book is structured with a non-linear timeline, alternating between key events in the brothers' lives, creating a gripping and readable narrative that offers multiple viewpoints on the same story. Liz Nugent's writing style intricately weaves together the complex relationships and characters, drawing readers into the toxic world of the Drumm family and evoking a range of emotions from disgust to empathy towards the unlikeable yet compelling characters.
- #10
Save:"The Sweet Dove Died" by Barbara Pym follows the story of Leonora Eyre, an unmarried woman of a certain age who forms strong attachments to Humphrey Boyce and his nephew James. The novel delves into the complexities of relationships between men and women, portraying a bittersweet tale of unrequited love, jealousy, and manipulation. Barbara Pym's writing style is characterized by subtle wit, incisive observations, and a focus on the inner lives of characters living quiet, retiring lives in England.
The plot of "The Sweet Dove Died" revolves around Leonora's interactions with Humphrey, James, and other supporting characters, exploring themes of aging, loneliness, and the dynamics of human relationships. Pym's narrative skillfully navigates the nuances of social nuances, snobbery, and the emotional intricacies of the characters, creating a compelling story that offers insights into the complexities of human nature.
‘The sale room is no place for a woman,’ declared Humphrey Boyce, as he and his nephew James sat having lunch with the attractive stranger they had picked up at a Bond Street sale room half an hour ag...
