Books matching: surreal narratives
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- #1
Save:"Untold Night and Day" by Bae Suah is a surreal and experimental novel that follows Ayami, an actress, on a journey through the hot, dark streets of Seoul. The story blurs the lines between reality and imagination, with recurring characters and motifs that challenge the reader to question the connections and meanings behind them. The prose is described as sleek and dreamlike, creating a narrative that feels like a jungle cat - powerful and captivating, yet elusive in its full understanding.
The novel unfolds in a cyclical and confusing manner, with events seen through the window of a car driving at night, where characters merge into each other and surreal dreams blend with reality. As the day progresses, the heat and humidity increase, adding to the surreal quality of the story. The translator's note by Deborah Smith enhances the novel, elevating it to another realm and providing insights into the motifs and imagery that intensify as the story reaches its peak.
With the lights off, the interior of the auditorium seemed as though submerged in murky water. Objects, matter itself, were softly disintegrating. All identity became ambiguous, semi-opaque. Not only ... - #2
Save:"The Cipher" by Kathe Koja is a horror novel that revolves around the discovery of a mysterious, pulsating hole in a storage room by Nicholas and his girlfriend Nakota. As they become obsessed with the hole, experimenting and exploring its depths, their lives and mental states deteriorate. The book delves into themes of nihilism, obsession, and the unknown, with a writing style that is described as visceral, bleak, and sometimes challenging to follow due to its stream of consciousness narrative.
Nakota, who saw it first: long spider legs drawn up beneath her ugly skirt, wise mouth pursed into nothing like a smile. Sitting in my dreary third-floor flat, on a dreary thrift shop chair, the windo... - #3
Save:Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas by Tom Robbins is a whimsical novel that blends fantastical scenarios with social commentary. The book follows a stockbroker named Gwen who embarks on a journey with a mysterious man named Larry Diamond, exploring themes of materialism, spirituality, and absurdity. Robbins' writing style in this novel is described as maniacal, poetic, and hypnotic, with characters that defy Earth's physics and a narrative that mixes magic realism with eccentricity.
The day the stock market falls out of bed and breaks its back is the worst day of your life. Or so you think. It isnt the worst day of your life, but you think it is. And when you give voice to that t... - #4
Save:Chuck Barris's memoir, 'Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind', delves into the intriguing life of the author, blending reality with fiction in a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Barris skillfully combines his public persona with an alter ego, revealing a dual personality that adds depth and mystery to the story. The book explores Barris's time as a TV show producer, his alleged involvement with the CIA as a hitman, and his candid reflections on his personal shortcomings and relationships, creating a captivating and entertaining read that blurs the lines between autobiography and spy thriller.
- #5
Save:Bestiary by K-Ming Chang is a novel that defies traditional descriptions, with a unique and captivating writing style that flows like poetry throughout the story. The book follows three generations of Taiwanese Americans, exploring themes of culture, displacement, family legends, and the struggles of finding one's place in a new home. The narrative weaves together elements of magical realism, mythology, and generational trauma, creating a richly detailed and deeply human story that is both fascinating and heartbreaking.
The author's poetic language and vivid imagery bring to life a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and myth, offering multiple perspectives on the experiences of immigrant families. Through the stories of Daughter, her mother, and grandmother, the novel explores themes of lineage, young queer love, and the shaping influence of cultural heritage. Bestiary is a beautifully told tale that challenges traditional storytelling structures, offering a fresh and original perspective on the immigrant experience.
Ba doesn’t know where he buried the gold. Ma chases him around and beats him with her soup ladle. You’ve never been to a funeral, but this is what it looks like: four of us in the backyard, digging wh... - #6
Save:'Dermaphoria' by Craig Clevenger is a dark and puzzling tale that slowly reveals the story through a fragmented narrative. The protagonist, Eric Ashworth, wakes up with amnesia, unsure of what is real and what is a drug-induced hallucination. The book delves into Eric's journey as he tries to recover his memories and piece together the events leading up to his current predicament, all while the past and present intersect in a unique storytelling style.
The writing style of 'Dermaphoria' is deliberately over-the-top and self-conscious, similar to high-profile stories like 'Memento' and 'The Prestige'. The novel keeps readers on their toes by presenting a profoundly unreliable narrator and utilizing abstract prose that challenges the reader's perception of reality. Clevenger's experimental approach to storytelling, filled with literary tricks and attention-grabbing elements, makes 'Dermaphoria' a gripping and mind-bending read.
I PANICKED AND SWALLOWED A HANDFUL OF FIREFLIES AND BLACK WIDOWS the inferno had not. Shiny glass teardrops shattered between my teeth while the fireflies popped like Christmas bulbs until I coughed u... - #7
Save:The sixth book in 'The Dark Tower' series by Stephen King, titled 'Song of Susannah', follows the adventures of Susannah as she becomes occupied by Mia and struggles with a split personality. The narrative takes us to New York and Maine, with different groups of characters trying to save Susannah and protect her from the Crimson King's clutches. The book delves into themes of pregnancy, identity, and the complexities of the characters' relationships. The inclusion of the author, Stephen King, as a character in the story adds a unique and intriguing element to the plot.
The writing style of 'Song of Susannah' is described as disjointed by some readers, with a focus on multiple storylines and characters spread across different locations and time periods. The book serves as a bridge between the previous and final installment of the series, setting the stage for the epic conclusion while exploring the growth and challenges faced by the ka-tet as they near the Dark Tower.
At first no one answered Roland’s question, and so he asked it again, this time looking across the living room of the rectory to where Henchick of the Manni sat with Cantab, who had married one of Hen...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Dark Tower ) 'The Woman Who Married a Cloud: The Collected Short Stories' by Jonathan Carroll is a chunky collection of thirty-eight stories spanning 600 pages. The stories include elements of fantasy, horror, surrealism, and social commentary. Carroll's writing style is described as fascinating, masterful, and distinctive, with a delicate blending of different worlds. The stories touch on themes of love, loss, fantasy, and the complexities of human emotions, often surprising the reader with unexpected twists and turns.
- #9
Save:The Color Master by Aimee Bender is a collection of short stories that blend elements of magical realism, fantasy, and fairy tales. The stories explore themes of humanity, compassion, and the extraordinary within the ordinary. Bender's writing style is described as colorful, deep, and confrontational, painting vivid pictures and transporting the reader into exotic settings both geographically and internally. The narratives range from surreal and evocative to mythic and anti-epic, presenting a mix of sweet stinging stories that leave a lasting impact on the reader.
I once knew a girl who wouldn’t eat apples. She wove her walking around groves and orchards. She didn’t even like to look at them. They’re all mealy, she said. Or else too cheeky, too bloomed. No, she... - #10
Save:Rudy Rucker's 'Wetware' delves into a futuristic world where humans and robots coexist, with robots known as boppers having been exiled from Earth and now planning their return. The plot revolves around boppers attempting to impregnate a human woman to re-colonize Earth, leading to a series of wild twists and turns. The novel explores themes of robot-human hybrids, the consequences of a bopper-human war, and the blurred lines between machines and biology, all presented in a lyrical writing style that seamlessly melds the reader to the subject matter.
It was the day after Christmas, and Stahn was plugged in. With no work in sight, it seemed like the best way to pass the time… other than drugs, and Stahn was off drugs for good, or so he said. The tw...
(Also, see 21 recommendations for the series Ware )
