Books matching: surreal elements
100 result(s)
- #1
Save:'Fortune Smiles' by Adam Johnson is a collection of six varied and diverse short stories that delve into themes of natural disasters, moral dilemmas, rare diseases, North Korea, and the East German secret police. The stories are not interconnected in a traditional sense of plot and character but are united by the vicissitudes of human frailty. Johnson's writing style is described as a merger of tragedy and comedy, with exaggerated and somewhat surreal stories that remain grounded in easily recognizable human dilemmas.
It’s late, and I can’t sleep. I raise a window for some spring Palo Alto air, but it doesn’t help. In bed, eyes open, I hear whispers, which makes me think of the president, because we often talk in w... - #2
Save:The Dream Life of Sukhanov by Olga Grushin is a novel that delves into the life of Anatoly Sukhanov, a man in his 50s who is forced to confront the decisions he made in his youth that shaped his current existence. The story is set in Moscow during the politically tumultuous times of Russia from the 1930s to 1980s, where Sukhanov struggles with his crisis of conscience due to choices made in his past. Through vivid dream sequences and introspective reflections, the novel explores themes of art, sacrifice, conformity, and the impact of political ideologies on personal lives.
The white-and-yellow columns outside his window ceased their tiresome flashing, began to slow down, and in another moment fell obediently into their assigned places. A pale orange tentacle of a nearby... - #3
Save:'The Big U' by Neal Stephenson is a satirical novel set in a university environment, exploring themes of higher education, campus life, and societal breakdown. The book follows the descent of a university into chaos, with warring factions, bizarre cults, and escalating violence. The writing style is described as humorous, surreal, and at times over-the-top, with elements of satire and social commentary.
The Go Big Red Fan was John Wesley Fenrick’s, and when ventilating his System it throbbed and crept along the floor with a rhythmic chunka-chunka-chunk. Fenrick was a Business major and a senior. From... A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland is a young adult novel that follows the story of Esther Solar, a girl from a cursed family where each member is plagued by their greatest fear. As Esther navigates through her controlled life, she meets Jonah Smallwood, leading to a journey of confronting fears, overcoming anxiety and depression, and ultimately trying to break the family curse. The book is described as a mix of humor, inspiration, and tackling inner demons, with a quirky writing style that balances light-hearted moments with serious topics like mental health and family struggles.
Rosemary Solar, her mother, explained over the phone that she would no longer, under any circumstances, be able to pick her daughter up. A cat black as night with demon-yellow slits for eyes had been ...- #5
Save:Generation A is a novel that delves into a near-future scenario where bees are extinct. The plot revolves around five individuals from different countries who are stung by bees and subsequently brought together for research purposes. They are tasked with telling stories, which leads to unexpected outcomes. The book explores themes of loneliness, isolation, greed, corporates, and environmental issues, all while maintaining an underlying sense of hope. The writing style is described as fluid, drawing readers in with entertaining prose while touching on familiar themes like social media, big pharma, and globalization.
- #6
Save:'Aberystwyth Mon Amour' by Malcolm Pryce is a humorous and entertaining spoof of hard-boiled detective stories, set in a parallel universe where Wales is run by a mafia of Druids. The story follows private detective Louie Knight as he investigates the disappearance of a schoolboy in the mean streets of Aberystwyth, encountering strange characters, surreal events, and dark humor along the way. The book is written in a 'noir' style, blending PI investigations, dames, murder, and mayhem with witty and dark humor, creating a unique and engaging narrative that pays homage to the detective genre.
The novel is set in a fictional version of Aberystwyth that is both familiar and fantastical, filled with references to Welsh culture and landmarks. The plot unfolds rapidly, keeping readers engaged with a mix of humor, mystery, and clever storytelling. Pryce's writing style combines elements of Raymond Chandler and Dylan Thomas, creating a rich and fantastical mythology within the familiar setting of Aberystwyth, making the book a clever and enjoyable read for fans of detective fiction and Welsh culture alike.
THE THING I remember most about it was walking the entire length of the Prom that morning and not seeing a Druid. Normally when I made my stroll shortly before 9am I would see a few hanging around at ... - #7
Save:The Death of Bunny Munro by Nick Cave is a dark and disturbing novel that follows the unraveling journey of Bunny Munro, a sleazy and troubled traveling salesman of beauty products who is haunted by the suicide of his wife, Libby. As Bunny travels with his young son, Bunny Jr., he begins to believe that Libby's spirit is haunting them, leading to a story that is funny, tragic, and transcendent. The book delves into themes of addiction, grief, self-destruction, and redemption, with a writing style that is described as thrilling, inventive, and clever.
‘I am damned,’ thinks Bunny Munro in a sudden moment of self-awareness reserved for those who are soon to die. He feels that somewhere down the line he has made a grave mistake, but this realisation p... - #8
Save:'The Getaway' by Jim Thompson follows the story of Doc McCoy and his wife, Carol, as they attempt to escape after a bank robbery goes awry. The narrative explores themes of desperation, betrayal, and violence as the couple navigates a dangerous journey to evade the law and their criminal associates. The writing style is described as dark, unglamorous, and deeply nihilistic, portraying a gritty and realistic depiction of crime and its consequences.
Carter "Doc" McCoy had left a morning call for six o'clock, and he was reaching for the telephone the moment the night clerk rang. He had always awakened easily and pleasantly; a man with not a regret... - #9
Save:"My Cat Yugoslavia" by Pajtim Statovci is a novel that alternates between the storylines of Emine, a young Muslim girl in Yugoslavia, and her son Bekim, a young gay man living in Finland. Emine's narrative focuses on her life, marriage, and struggles, while Bekim's narrative delves into his experiences as an immigrant and a gay man, with surreal elements like a talking cat and a pet boa constrictor. The book explores themes of isolation, hardship, cultural differences, and self-discovery through the lives of the two protagonists.
0:01 blackhetero-helsinki: anyone up for some fun and games??????? 0:01 Chubby-Sub28: mature dom—wanna chat dirty? 0:01 sneakerboy-jyväskylä*: … 0:02 OuluTop_tomorrow: skinny guy for meet? 0:02 Kalle4... - #10
Save:'Outside the Dog Museum' by Jonathan Carroll is a book that weaves a convoluted narrative around unsympathetic characters and seemingly no plot, leaving readers wondering about the purpose of the story. Despite the odd and thin plot, the book incorporates magical realism elements and satirizes the 1980s culture, centering around an architect named Harry Radcliffe who is given the strange task of building a Dog Museum for the Sultan of Saru. The story follows the conflicts between the Sultan and his brother, as well as the dynamics between Harry and the two women in his life, Fanny and Claire.
The book is described as a typical slightly strange and wonderful tale from Jonathan Carroll, known for his mischievous way of introducing surreal elements into his stories unexpectedly. The writing style is noted for its ability to keep readers engaged with colorful characters, sprinklings of German words, and noteworthy quotes that add depth to the narrative.
I’D JUST BITTEN THE hand that fed me when God called, again. Shaking her left hand, Claire picked up the receiver with her right. After asking who it was, she held it out to me, rolling her eyes. “It’...
(Also, see 23 recommendations for the series Answered Prayers )
