Books matching: socio economic challenges
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- #1
Save:'Sometimes a Great Notion' by Ken Kesey is a novel set in Oregon, focusing on the Stamper family, a rebellious clan of loggers living on the coast. The story revolves around the family's decision to not join a union strike, creating a bitter feud with the town of Wakonda. The book is known for its complex characters, shifting points of view, and detailed portrayal of the logging industry in the Pacific Northwest. Kesey's writing style is described as engaging, with scenes written from multiple perspectives simultaneously, providing a deep understanding of the characters and their actions.
Along the western slopes of the Oregon Coastal Range . . . come look: the hysterical crashing of tributaries as they merge into the Wakonda Auga River . . . The first little washes flashing like thick... 'The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates' by author Wes Moore is a compelling narrative that follows the parallel lives of two young men named Wes Moore. The book delves into the impact of personal choices, circumstances, and the role of mentors in shaping one's destiny. Through thought-provoking anecdotes and poignant stories, the author explores themes of privilege, opportunity, and the consequences of decisions made in impoverished urban neighborhoods. Moore's writing style captivates readers as he contrasts the diverging paths of the two Wes Moores, prompting reflection on the power of individual agency and the influence of external factors on life trajectories.
Nikki and I would play this game: I would sit on the living room chair while Nikki deeply inhaled and then blew directly in my face, eliciting hysterical laughs on both sides. This was our ritual. It ...- #3
Save:'Tell Me a Riddle' by Tillie Olsen is a collection of four short stories that delve into the lives of working-class women, immigrant women, older women, and families. The stories explore universal themes such as marriage, parent-children relationships, illness, and death. Olsen's writing is described as moving, raw, and effective in portraying the emotions of the characters without explicitly stating them, making the reader feel deeply connected to the narratives.
The book is praised for its concise, precise, and striking writing style that covers a wide range of topics with depth and authenticity. The stories are noted for their ability to capture the nuances of different voices and human experiences, making 'Tell Me a Riddle' a unique and powerful work in American literature.
- #4
Save:'A House for Mr Biswas' by V.S. Naipaul revolves around the life of Mohun Biswas, a Trinidadian man of Indian descent, who struggles to find his place in a society dominated by his wife's influential family. Mr. Biswas faces numerous challenges, from his difficult upbringing to his constant battle for independence and dignity. The story follows his journey through various jobs and relationships as he strives to achieve his dream of owning a house of his own, a symbol of freedom and self-sufficiency. Naipaul's writing style captures the humor, sadness, and resilience of Mr. Biswas' character, painting a vivid picture of Trinidadian culture and family dynamics.
SHORTLY BEFORE he was born there had been another quarrel between Mr Biswas’s mother Bipti and his father Raghu, and Bipti had taken her three children and walked all the way in the hot sun to the vil... 'The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner' by Alan Sillitoe is a collection of short stories set in pre and post-World War II British working class society. The title story follows an adolescent boy from a working-class background who is caught up in petty crime and sentenced to a borstal. Allowed to train outside the facility for a long-distance running competition, the story delves into his internal struggles between winning the race and defying the authorities. Other stories in the book portray characters facing loneliness, desperation, and societal inequalities, evoking a sense of anger, alienation, and desolation.
The writing style of Alan Sillitoe in this book is described as gritty, dark, and reminiscent of Dickens in its portrayal of the working class of England. The stories are said to be beautifully crafted, tragic, moving, and thought-provoking, capturing the trauma of wartime, the harsh realities of the class divide, and the struggles of individuals trying to break free from their circumstances.
AS soon as I got to Borstal they made me a long-distance cross-country runner. I suppose they thought I was just the build for it because I was long and skinny for my age (and still am) and in any cas...- #6
Save:"The Tin Flute" by Gabrielle Roy is a powerful novel set in Montreal during the Great Depression and the beginning of World War II. The story follows the Lacasse family, focusing on Florentine, the eldest daughter, as they struggle with poverty, unemployment, and the hardships of war. The novel offers a bleak yet compassionate portrayal of the French working class in Montreal, capturing the challenges and aspirations of the characters as they navigate the harsh realities of their time. Through vivid descriptions and well-drawn characters, Roy paints a vivid picture of urban life in Montreal in the 1930s and 40s, providing insight into the impact of war on everyday struggles.
- #7
Save:'Fallen Dragon' by Peter F. Hamilton is a science fiction novel set in a future where mega corporations control the galaxy and engage in 'asset realisation' missions, seen as robbery by the colonies. The story follows Lawrence Newton, a disillusioned interstellar mercenary, and Denise Ebourn, a schoolteacher involved in a resistance movement on the planet Thallspring. As the plot unfolds, it alternates between Newton's past as a corporate prince and his present as a corporate soldier, and Ebourn's tales for her students about a long-dead empire. The book explores themes of space exploration, colonization, economic constraints, and the influence of science fiction on the future, all while presenting clear and exciting combat sequences and technological skullduggery.
TIME WAS WHEN THE BAR WOULD HAVE WELCOMED A MAN FROM ZANTIUBraun’s strategic security division, given him his first beer on the house and listened with keen admiration to his stories of life as it was... 'The Great Hunger: Ireland 1845-9' by Cecil Woodham-Smith is a devastating account of the Irish Famine in the late 1800s. The book details the potato crop failures, the widespread starvation, and the British government's response to the crisis. Woodham-Smith's writing style is described as thorough, eye-opening, and harrowing, providing a comprehensive discussion of the famine's causes, effects, and the struggles faced by the Irish population during that period.
- #9
Save:Petals of Blood by Ngugi wa Thiong'o is a post-colonial novel set in a small Kenyan village, focusing on the changes and challenges faced by the characters in the post-independence era. The story revolves around four main characters - Munira, Wanja, Abdulla, and Karega - whose lives intertwine as they navigate through the disappointments, corruption, and struggles of the new government. The book delves into themes of Western imperialism, the impact of colonialism on Kenyan society, the quest for wealth and power, and the tensions between modernity and tradition.
The narrative of Petals of Blood is described as dense and complex, requiring a slower pace to truly appreciate the well-rendered characters and their relationships. The novel explores the transition of a rural village into an urban center, highlighting the societal issues in Kenya post-independence, such as education, democracy, and capitalism. Through a mix of symbolism, analogy, and realistic character portrayals, Ngugi wa Thiong'o crafts a compelling story that reflects the struggles of individuals in a changing society.
1 ~ They came for him that Sunday. He had just returned from a night’s vigil on the mountain. He was resting on his bed, Bible open at the Book of Revelation, when two police constables, one tall, the... - #10
Save:Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn is a captivating novel that delves into the lives of the Flores family, a working-class Hawaiian family struggling to make ends meet. The story follows the miraculous events surrounding Nainoa, the chosen son with healing abilities bestowed by Hawaiian gods after being rescued by sharks. As the family members navigate their individual paths in mainland USA, a cataclysmic event brings them back together, unraveling deep-seated family dynamics and cultural themes. Washburn weaves a raw and magical tale about ohana, loss, self-discovery, and the enduring love for Hawaii, told through alternating chapters from each family member's perspective.
When I Close My Eyes We’re All Still Alive and it becomes obvious then what the gods want from us. The myth people tell about us might start on that liquid blue day off Kona and the sharks, but I know...
