Books matching: solitude and isolation
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- #1
Save:'Italian Shoes' by Henning Mankell follows the story of Fredrik Welin, a retired surgeon living in isolation on an island off Sweden. The narrative delves into Fredrik's past, his self-imposed exile, and his encounters with various characters from his life, including his former lover and a daughter he never knew he had. As the story unfolds, Fredrik is forced to confront his regrets, past mistakes, and ultimately, his humanity. The writing style intertwines introspection, emotional depth, and vivid descriptions of the Swedish landscape to portray a man's journey towards self-discovery and redemption.
- #2
Save:The Tartar Steppe by Dino Buzzati is a novel that follows the story of Giovanni Drogo, a young soldier who is stationed at Fort Bastiani on the border of the Tartar Steppe. The book explores themes of solitude, the futility of military preparations in times of peace, and the struggle to find purpose in life while waiting for something significant to happen. Buzzati's writing is described as sparse yet beautifully told, capturing the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere of the isolated fortress and the desolate steppe.
The novel portrays the protagonist's journey of waiting for glory and purpose in a setting filled with absurd military bureaucracy, monotony, and the passage of time. The narrative delves into Drogo's internal conflicts, his gradual acceptance of his isolated existence, and the haunting realization of missed opportunities and wasted time as he becomes entrenched in the routine and hopelessness of his post at Bastiani fortress.
He had himself called while it was still dark and for the first time put on his lieutenant’s uniform. When he had done, he looked at himself in the mirror by the light of an oil lamp but failed to fin... - #3
Save:Toplin by Michael McDowell is a moody, hallucinatory book about madness and redemption, following the journey of an unnamed protagonist through a grotesque urban landscape in search of a higher purpose. The protagonist, consumed by the acute symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, fixates on a waitress named Marta, whom he believes desires her own death. The novel delves into the disturbed narrator's world through powerful imagery and a style of narration that creates an unsettling and absorbing reading experience.
The story in Toplin is more akin to the weird writings of Thomas Ligotti than mainstream horror fiction, portraying a life of solitude and order marred by compulsions and obsessions. McDowell's skillful use of black and white imagery, along with the subtle incorporation of photos, adds to the overall feeling of unease and enhances the reader's understanding of the narrator's limited vision and unconventional views of society.
I hadn’t expected that. I had passed that grocery store every day for I couldn’t remember how many years, and it had never been shut at this hour. I had passed it every day on my way to work, and ever... - #4
Save:Indian Creek by Pete Fromm is a memoir that recounts the author's experiences spending seven months alone in the wilderness of Idaho, tending to a Park Service fish breeding pond. Fromm, a young and inexperienced college student, finds himself in a challenging situation, facing the harsh winter conditions of the Bitterroot Wilderness. The book captures his journey of survival, self-discovery, and interactions with nature and wildlife, all while navigating the solitude and isolation of his surroundings. Fromm's writing style combines elements of nature writing, adventure storytelling, and personal reflection, providing readers with a captivating and immersive narrative of his unique experience.
Once the game wardens left, the little tent we’d set up seemed even smaller. I stood in front of it, shivering at a gust I thought I felt running across my neck. Could this really be my home now? My h... Alone: The Classic Polar Adventure by Richard Evelyn Byrd is a gripping account of Byrd's harrowing experience of spending the Antarctic winter alone in a hut. Byrd's writing style draws readers in with vivid descriptions of his day-to-day struggles to survive in extreme conditions, while also reflecting on the human spirit's capacity for endurance. The book delves into Byrd's complex character, detailing his physical and mental challenges as he battles solitude, freezing temperatures, and design faults in his shelter.
BOLLING ADVANCE WEATHER BASE, WHICH I MANNED ALONE during the Antarctic winter night of 1934, was planted in the dark immensity of the Ross Ice Barrier, on a line between Little America and the South ...- #6
Save:'Pond' by Claire-Louise Bennett is a collection of interconnected stories that revolve around an unnamed woman living alone in a cottage in Ireland. The book delves into the mundane details of the protagonist's life, exploring her thoughts, observations, and interactions with her surroundings. The writing style is described as a mix between short stories and stream of consciousness, with a focus on poetic observations and slightly unsettling atmospheres.
SOMETIMESABANANA with coffee is nice. It ought not to be too ripe—in fact there should be a definite remainder of green along the stalk, and if there isn’t, forget about it. Though admittedly that is ... - #7
Save:'Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine' by Gail Honeyman is a novel that delves into the life of Eleanor Oliphant, a socially isolated and awkward office worker with a traumatic past. The story follows Eleanor as she navigates through her daily routines, forming unexpected friendships, confronting her past, and gradually undergoing a transformation towards self-discovery and healing. The narrative style provides insights into Eleanor's quirky and complex personality, showcasing her struggles, growth, and interactions with those around her.
The book combines elements of humor, poignancy, and personal triumph as it unravels Eleanor's journey towards overcoming her deep sense of loneliness and guilt. Through subtle storytelling and engaging character development, the author paints a vivid picture of Eleanor's life, highlighting the power of small acts of kindness, the importance of human connection, and the themes of resilience and hope that resonate throughout the novel.
It’s definitely a two-tier system in the office; the creatives are the film stars, the rest of us merely supporting artists. You can tell by looking at us which category we fall into. To be fair, part... The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven by Nathaniel Ian Miller is a captivating novel that delves into the life of Sven, a man who seeks solace in the isolated Arctic after facing disfigurement and rejection. The story unfolds through Sven's first-person narrative, showcasing his journey of survival, friendship, and the indomitable human spirit in the harsh Arctic landscape. The writing style is lauded for its profound exploration of loneliness, love, and the enduring connections that sustain Sven in his solitude, making it a compelling read that immerses readers in the light and dark aspects of polar life.
Sven's tale is one of resilience and unexpected companionship, as he navigates the challenges of isolation with the arrival of his sister's daughter and her baby at his remote fjord. The book beautifully captures the stark beauty of the Arctic while highlighting the warmth of human connection that transcends geographical boundaries. Through vivid descriptions and memorable characters, Nathaniel Ian Miller weaves a narrative that resonates with themes of love, survival, and the complexities of the human experience, offering a poignant exploration of Sven's unconventional life journey.
- #9
Save:In Newfoundland writer Michael Crummey's book 'The Innocents', two orphaned siblings, Evered and Ada, find themselves alone in a remote cove on the shores of Labrador after their parents and baby sister succumb to illness. The siblings struggle to survive in the harsh conditions of late 18th-century Newfoundland, relying on their limited knowledge and the sporadic visits of a supply boat. The narrative delves into themes of family, loyalty, survival, and the evolving relationship between the siblings as they navigate the challenges of isolation and self-sufficiency in the unforgiving wilderness.
They were still youngsters that winter. They lost their baby sister before the first snowfall. Their mother laid the infant in a shallow trough beside the only other grave in the cove and she sang the... - #10
Save:In the book 'In the Distance' by Hernan Diaz, the reader follows the journey of Håkan, a young Swedish immigrant who embarks on a quest to find his brother in New York but ends up in California during the Gold Rush era. As Håkan traverses the American West, encountering a wide array of characters and facing numerous challenges, he becomes a legendary figure known as The Hawk. The novel is a genre-breaking historical fiction piece that offers a unique perspective on courage, survival, and the human experience during a tumultuous period in American history. Diaz's writing style is praised for its masterful prose, vivid descriptions of the landscape, and the creation of a surreal yet plausible narrative that captivates readers.
Håkan Söderström was born on a farm north of Lake Tystnaden, in Sweden. The exhausted land his family worked belonged to a wealthy man they had never met, although he regularly collected his harvest t...
