Books matching: struggle for meaning
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- #1
Save:'The Castle' by Franz Kafka is a haunting depiction of trying to navigate life, filled with bureaucratic mishaps and a sense of futility. The main character, K., arrives in a village to work as a Land Surveyor, only to find himself caught in a web of nonsensical rules and customs, unable to gain access to the mysterious authorities in the castle that govern the town. The narrative flows like a crazy dream, with contradictions, strange passages of time, and a sense of impending doom. Kafka's unique writing style, characterized by long, meandering paragraphs and a dreamlike prose, adds to the unsettling atmosphere of the story.
IT was late evening when K. arrived. The village lay deep in snow. There was nothing to be seen of Castle Mount, for mist and darkness surrounded it, and not the faintest glimmer of light showed where... - #2
Save:'Problems' by Jade Sharma is a raw and intense novel that follows Maya, a heroin addicted bulimic anorexic woman in her early thirties, as she navigates through harrowing issues like drug addiction, an eating disorder, and the end of her marriage. The book is described as a stream of consciousness narrative that takes the reader on Maya's journey, delving into her urges, compulsions, anger, sexual fantasies, self-doubt, vanity, and aggression. Through Maya's story, the author explores themes of dread, sadness, emptiness, and the struggle to find meaning in a life filled with desperation and squalor.
The writing style of 'Problems' is candid and brutally honest, offering a psychological striptease that lays bare the main character's contradictory desires for power and abasement, self-confidence and emotional helplessness. The novel doesn't shy away from depicting Maya's flaws, making her a complex and relatable character despite her challenging circumstances. As Maya grapples with her inner demons, the narrative unfolds with a sense of urgency and intensity, culminating in an uplifting yet poignant ending that reflects the author's own struggles with the issues she wrote about.
Somewhere along the way, there stopped being new days. Time progressed for sure: The rain tapered off through the night; near dawn, cars rumbled and then zoomed away. Sounds folded back into the world... - #3
Save:In the Country of Last Things by Paul Auster is a dystopian novel that follows Anna Blume as she navigates a city in utter collapse, searching for her missing brother amidst unspeakable destruction and horror. The book delves into themes of survival, despair, and the search for meaning in a society where death is everywhere and people scavenge for objects to sell for food and shelter. Written in a diary format, the narrative captures Anna's struggles and the bleakness of a world where everything seems lost.
These are the last things, she wrote. One by one they disappear and never come back. I can tell you of the ones I have seen, of the ones that are no more, but I doubt there will be time. It is all hap... 'The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays' by Albert Camus delves into the concept of the Absurd, exploring the distressing match between man's ultimate questions and the silent universe. Camus argues against suicide as the only solution in a meaningless world, advocating for embracing freedom and taking responsibility for one's choices. Through essays and philosophical musings, Camus challenges traditional views of existence, finding meaning in the struggle itself and urging readers to live with dignity and acceptance of life's futility.
My field,” said Goethe, “is time.” That is indeed the absurd speech. What, in fact, is the absurd man? He who, without negating it, does nothing for the eternal. Not that nostalgia is foreign to him. ...- #5
Save:'The Unicorn' by Iris Murdoch is a complex and mysterious novel that delves into themes of love, faith, good, and evil. The story revolves around the character of Hannah, who is portrayed as a enigmatic figure, leaving readers questioning her true nature - whether she is a witch, mad, or a penitent. The narrative explores the relationships between the characters and their struggles to find meaning in their own sufferings, ultimately leading to a deeper philosophical reflection on the human capacity for good and evil.
The writing style in 'The Unicorn' is described as powerful and evocative, with Murdoch showcasing a mastery in portraying the complexities of morality and spirituality. The novel presents a blend of fantasy, tragedy, and philosophical musings, creating an atmosphere that is both enchanting and thought-provoking, drawing readers into a world where reality and myth intertwine.
They stared at her with quiet dreamy curiosity. She had been told that the local people were ‘friendly’, but these big slow men, while not exactly hostile, entirely lacked the responsiveness of civili... - #6
Save:'Hawksbill Station' by Robert Silverberg is a novella that explores the concept of a penal colony in the Cambrian period where political dissidents are sent back in time as a humane alternative to execution. The story follows the struggles of these male exiles, led by revolutionary Jim Barrett, as they try to survive and find meaning in their lives in a harsh and desolate past. The narrative alternates between the happenings at Hawksbill Station and flashbacks to Barrett's life, delving into themes of ideological commitment, fairness of punishment, and the impact of being displaced by historical events.
The book is a masterful examination of political power shifts, character portraits of men facing a hopeless situation, and a study of ambition in various forms. Silverberg's narrative competence shines through in the creation of a vividly imagined prehistoric setting and the depiction of convicts grappling with their circumstances. Despite a diversion into 20th-century political exposition, the novella effectively conveys the struggles and complexities faced by the characters in this unique time-travel scenario.
Barrett was the uncrowned king of Hawksbill Station. No one disputed that. He had been there the longest; he had suffered the most; he had the deepest inner resources of strength. Before his accident,... - #7
Save:"Monster" by Sanyika Shakur delves into the life of the main character, Monster Kody, who navigates a world of violence, gang culture, and personal transformation. The author's writing style has been described as raw and intense, depicting a narrative that explores the protagonist's journey from a violent gang member to a more responsible individual. Despite the graphic depictions of crime and brutality, the book offers a deep look into the realities of life in South Central, L.A. during the 80s, providing insights into gang warfare and inner-city struggles.
June 15, 1975. I proudly strolled across the waxed hardwood stage of the auditorium at the Fifty-fourth Street elementary school under the beaming stares of my mother, aunt, and Uncle Clarence. Taking... - #8
Save:'The Man Who Watched The World End' by Chris Dietzel chronicles the end of the human race through the eyes of a solitary man as he cares for his Block brother in a world where the ability to reproduce ceases to exist. The author effectively captures the monotony, isolation, fear, and ultimate resignation of the protagonist as he navigates through the inevitable last days of humanity, all while pondering his own mortality and the worth of humanity's struggles. The diary format serves as a metaphor for old age and the slow decline of mankind, leading to a bleak and utterly hopeless vision of the future.
It’s obvious now that the end of man won’t be signaled with mushroom clouds, an alien invasion, or a meteor, but with silence. Only silence, long and unceasing. We’ve always known this would be the ca... - #9
Save:The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman is a fresh take on Arthurian legend, set in Camelot after the death of King Arthur. The story follows a young knight who arrives too late to join the Round Table and discovers a devastated realm, filled with broken heroes and the struggle to find meaning in a post-Arthur world. With a mix of adventure, drama, and humor, Grossman reimagines the familiar characters and events, introducing new perspectives and exploring themes of mental health and personal quests for magic and hope.
The writing style is engaging and modern, drawing readers into a fantastical yet familiar world. Critics note its blend of heart and humor, making it a captivating read. While some readers found it a bit disappointing compared to darker Arthurian tales, many appreciated its unique characters and narrative direction. Overall, The Bright Sword presents a heroic journey filled with unexpected turns, designed to resonate with both fans of the genre and newcomers to Arthurian mythology.
- #10
Save:Pinball, 1973 by Haruki Murakami is a novel that delves into the themes of desire, loneliness, and the search for meaning in life. The book follows the protagonist Boku and his friend the Rat as they navigate through their lives, each dealing with their own inner emptiness and longing for something more. Boku becomes obsessed with finding a long-lost pinball machine called the Spaceship, while the Rat struggles with depression and a sense of unfulfillment. The novel weaves together two narratives, offering a glimpse into the characters' quests for connection and purpose in a world that seems to be lacking in magic and surrealism compared to Murakami's later works.
No doubt there are numerous ways to tell twin sisters apart, but I only knew of one. Not only were they alike in every respect, right down to their expressions, voices, and hair styles, but they didn’...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Rat )
