Books matching: surreal atmosphere

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  1. #1

    Amatka by Karin Tidbeck
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    Amatka is a dystopian novel set in a world where language literally shapes reality. The story follows the protagonist, Vanja, as she navigates a society where objects must be constantly labeled to prevent them from turning into goo. As Vanja delves deeper into the secrets of this strange world, she uncovers a surreal and oppressive society governed by strict rules and mysteries left unexplained. The book explores themes of imagination, oppression, and the power of words to create and transform worlds.

    Brilars’ Vanja Essre Two, information assistant with the Essre Hygiene Specialists, was the only passenger on the auto train bound for Amatka. As soon as she had climbed the steps, the door shut behin...

  2. #2

    One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
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    One Hundred Years of Solitude tells the story of the rise and fall, birth and death of the mythical town of Macondo through the history of the Buendía family. The novel is inventive, amusing, magnetic, sad, and alive with unforgettable characters brimming with truth, compassion, and lyrical magic that strikes the soul. The book is a masterpiece in the art of fiction, weaving together mystical stories and dozens of colorful and crazy characters into a twisted and tangled family history.

    The book is written in a unique style with dense and beautiful prose, where the author can change the direction of the story in a few words. It explores the theme of history repeating itself over generations of a family, using rich literary devices like repeating character names with slight variations through each generation. The narrative seamlessly slips back and forth between reality and fantasy, creating an immersive and thought-provoking reading experience.

    MANY YEARS LATER, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice. At that time Macondo was a village of twenty ...

  3. #3

    There Is No Year by Blake Butler
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    Blake Butler's 'There Is No Year' is a haunting and experimental novel that delves into the lives of an unnamed family living in a melting world inside a haunted house. The plot is a series of nightmarish events where reality blurs with dreams and hallucinations, creating a surreal and unsettling atmosphere. The writing style is described as poetic, intense, and visually stunning, with a focus on the mundane aspects of life portrayed in non-mundane ways.

    They’d been sitting on the sofa for a long time. Neither felt sure just how long. They’d come downstairs to watch a movie—both with a certain one in mind—something they’d each seen once, somewhere, th...

  4. #4

    Stranger Things Happen by Kelly Link
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    Stranger Things Happen by Kelly Link is a collection of short stories that are described as ghost stories without ghosts. The stories are eerie and surreal, blending elements of reality with the supernatural. The book covers a variety of themes and genres, including sci-fi, fantasy, fairy tales, horror, and comedy, creating a unique reading experience that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

    Rachel Rook took Carroll home to meet her parents two months after she first slept with him. For a generous girl, a girl who took off her clothes with abandon, she was remarkably close-mouthed about s...

  5. #5

    Stardust by Neil Gaiman
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    Stardust by Neil Gaiman is a charming fairy tale that follows the journey of a young man named Tristran Thorn who ventures into the magical land of Faerie to retrieve a fallen star in order to win the heart of his beloved. The story is filled with fantastical elements, whimsical characters, and a blend of adventure and romance that captivates readers. Gaiman's writing style is described as flowery yet not overly ornate, with an ability to portray the extraordinary as commonplace while maintaining a sense of wonder throughout the narrative.

    Tristran's quest leads him to unexpected twists and turns in Faerie, encountering witches, magical beings, and a variety of perils that challenge his character and resolve. The book weaves together traditional fairy tale tropes with unique and quirky aspects that set it apart from standard fantasy quests, offering readers a delightful and enchanting story that explores themes of love, bravery, and the importance of keeping promises.

    Mr. Charles Dickens was serializing his novel OliverTwist; Mr. Draper had just taken the first photograph of the moon, freezing her pale face on cold paper; Mr. Morse had recently announced a way of t...

  6. #6

    The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
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    'The Sheltering Sky' by Paul Bowles is a novel that follows the journey of a husband and wife, Port and Kit Moresby, along with their friend Tunner, as they travel through North Africa in the 1940s. The book explores themes of alienation, existential dread, and the unraveling of relationships in a hostile and unfamiliar environment. As the characters venture deeper into the Sahara desert, they are confronted with dangers that test the limits of their humanity, leading to a downward spiral of personal and emotional disintegration. The writing style of Bowles is described as vivid, hypnotic, and searing, painting a haunting picture of the characters' inner turmoil and the harsh realities of the desert landscape.

    On the terrace of the Café d’Eckmühl-Noiseux a few Arabs sat drinking mineral water; only their fezzes of varying shades of red distinguished them from the rest of the population of the port. Their Eu...

  7. #7

    Today I Wrote Nothing: The Selected Writings by Daniil Kharms
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    'Today I Wrote Nothing: The Selected Writings' by Daniil Kharms is a collection of absurd and witty writings, comprising a mixture of poetry, short prose, and miniature plays. The book features stories that are both funny and thought-provoking, with elements of absurdism and dark humor. Kharms' writing style challenges traditional storytelling norms and delves into themes of existentialism and mysticism, set against the backdrop of a soulless period in history.


  8. #8

    Diary of a Madman by Nikolai Gogol
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    "Diary of a Madman" by Nikolai Gogol is a collection of short stories that delves into themes of madness, absurdity, and social satire. The protagonist in the titular story gradually descends into madness, believing himself to be the King of Spain. The writing style is described as funny, frightening, and thought-provoking, with elements of satire and absurdity intertwined throughout the narratives. Gogol's storytelling captures the protagonist's erratic thoughts and actions, creating an unsettling yet engaging reading experience.

    A strange occurrence has taken place to-day. I got up fairly late, and when Mawra brought me my clean boots, I asked her how late it was. When I heard it had long struck ten, I dressed as quickly as p...

  9. #9

    Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter
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    Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter is a contemporary retelling of the Russian folktale featuring Vassa, a teenage heroine living in Brooklyn with her stepmother and sisters. The story unfolds as Vassa finds herself working at a peculiar convenience store owned by a witchy and ruthless proprietor. The book blends magical realism with dark humor, whimsical imagery, and elements of horror, creating a surreal and fantastical world where the boundaries between reality and dreams blur. The narrative is filled with puzzling riddles, magical madness, and eerie characters, making it a modern fairy tale that is both captivating and unconventional.

    People live here on purpose; that’s what I’ve heard. They even cross the country deliberately and move in to the neighborhoods near the river, and suddenly their shoes are cuter than they are, and ver...

  10. #10

    Time Out of Joint by Philip K. Dick
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    "Time Out of Joint" by Philip K. Dick is a science fiction novel that delves into the themes of reality and perception. The story follows the protagonist, Ragle Gumm, who lives a seemingly ordinary life in a suburban town but begins to suspect that his reality is not what it seems. As the plot unfolds, the novel explores the concept of constructed realities and the unsettling feeling of things being out of place. Written in a gripping and provocative style, the book keeps readers engaged as they navigate through a world filled with mystery and paranoia.

    The writing style of "Time Out of Joint" is described as both imaginative and surreal, capturing the essence of Philip K. Dick's unique storytelling. Through his prose, Dick creates a sense of uneasiness and surreality, drawing readers into a world where the line between reality and illusion is blurred. The novel presents a thought-provoking narrative that challenges readers to question their own perceptions and ponder the nature of existence.

    From the cold-storage locker at the rear of the store, Victor Nielson wheeled a cart of winter potatoes to the vegetable section of the produce department. In the almost empty bin he began dropping th...

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