Books matching: surreal settings
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- #1
'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 ... - #2
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... - #3
The Ruined Map by Kobo Abe is a mesmerizing literary crime novel that follows the story of a private detective who embarks on a puzzling pursuit in Tokyo's dangerous underworld to find a missing salesman. The narrative style combines the suspense of a detective novel with existentialist themes, creating a surreal and hauntingly dreamlike experience for the reader. The book delves into the mysteries of the human mind, challenging the boundaries of identity and reality, while maintaining a fast-paced and disorienting flow that keeps the reader engaged.
The surface of the street was not asphalt but a rough-textured concrete with narrow grooves about five inches apart, apparently to prevent slipping. But they did not look as though they would be much ... - #4
Krystal Sutherland's 'House of Hollow' follows the mysterious disappearance and return of the three Hollow sisters, Iris, Grey, and Vivi, with no memory of their time away. As the eldest sister, Grey, vanishes once again, Iris is determined to uncover the truth behind their past and present. The story is a blend of horror, modern fairy tale, and magical realism, creating an eerie and chilling atmosphere that captivates readers with its dark aesthetic and intricate imagery. The plot unfolds with twists and turns, keeping readers guessing and engaged until the very end.
The writing style in 'House of Hollow' is described as beautiful, atmospheric, and vivid, with botanical imagery that immerses readers in the story's dark and mysterious world. The narrative is fast-paced, with a tone that is both contemporary and fairytale-like, exploring themes of sisterhood, magic, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy. Sutherland's masterful storytelling and captivating descriptions create a haunting and macabre mood that lingers long after the final page is turned.
Grey’s fine, hook-shaped scar was still the first thing you noticed about her, followed by how achingly beautiful she was. The Vogue magazine—her third US cover in as many years—must have arrived in t... - #5
Walking on Glass by Iain M. Banks is a novel that weaves together three distinct narrative threads. The first story follows Graham, a student in London who is infatuated with Sara. The second story revolves around Steven, a paranoid man who believes he is a warrior from another world. The third story focuses on Quiss and Ajayi, former officers imprisoned in a castle, forced to play games to solve a riddle. As the stories progress, connections between the characters and their seemingly disparate lives start to emerge, culminating in a complex and thought-provoking exploration of interconnectedness and mystery.
The book is known for its unique narrative structure, with alternating chapters dedicated to each storyline. Banks skillfully delves into the minds of the characters, creating a dark and surreal atmosphere that delves into themes of suffering, torment, and the complexities of human nature. Through intricate storytelling and unexpected twists, Walking on Glass challenges readers to unravel the mysteries within the characters' lives and the overarching narrative.
He walked through the white corridors, past the noticeboards with their offers of small rooms and old cars, past the coffee bar where people sat at tables, past a hole in the white floor where an old ... - #6
'Mind Fields' by Harlan Ellison is a collaboration between the author and artist Jacek Yerka, where Ellison wrote short stories inspired by and explaining Yerka's paintings. The book features a variety of subjects depicted in the art coupled with stories accompanying each piece, making it a unique and engaging read for fans of speculative fiction. The art of Jacek Yerka is described as truly unique and remarkable, with detailed and imaginative illustrations that come to life through Ellison's writings.
- #7
The Age Of Wire And String by Ben Marcus is an experimental and surreal prose poetry collection that challenges traditional narrative structures. The book presents a parallel existence with obscure rules and regulations, creating a new and abstract language for readers to navigate. It is described as a work that requires the reader to catch hold of something different, akin to the literary equivalent of abstract art, where ordinary words are subverted to find new meanings.
CLOUD SHIMS — Trees, brush, shrubs, or wooden planks that form the walls of the heaven container. These items are painted with blues and grays and the golds of the earliest sky. They are tiny, althoug... - #8
'Books of Blood: Volume One' by Clive Barker is a collection of short stories that delve into the realms of horror, darkness, and the bizarre. The stories are described as sexual, dark, decadent, and disturbing, with themes ranging from desert demons to killer apes to extraordinary powers. Barker's writing style is noted for its vivid descriptions of violence, its ability to evoke fear and horror, and its skill in crafting tales that get under the reader's skin. The book is praised for its creepy and horrific content, with each story offering a unique and unsettling experience for the reader.
The book features a mix of disturbing and graphic tales that explore themes of lust, power, love, and fear. Barker's storytelling is said to be both beautiful and horrifying, with an ability to create vivid and creepy imagery that stays with the reader long after the story is finished. The collection is noted for its wide range of horror pieces, from haunted houses to monsters to strange races, all presented in a succinct and satisfying manner that leaves a lasting impact on the reader.
They run, unerring lines of ghost-trains, of dream-carriages, across the wasteland behind our lives, bearing an endless traffic of departed souls. Their thrum and throb can be heard in the broken plac... - #9
Behold the Void by Philip Fracassi is a dazzling debut collection of dark fiction that showcases the author's unparalleled ability to craft visually appealing, intense stories with fast-paced, poetic storytelling. Fracassi excels at portraying character-driven fiction in limited settings, weaving together tales that are both otherworldly and deeply personal. Each story in this collection is unique, compelling, and expertly crafted to enrapture readers with a blend of personal and supernatural horror.
In the dream he is sitting on a thin red blanket atop grass that’s dark as green shade. The sun is setting behind the soft slope of a hilltop in the distance, the earth’s smooth texture like the tende... - #10
"Blood and Guts in High School" by Kathy Acker is described as a crazy and subversive novel that follows the story of Janey from ages 10 to 14, portraying the damage inflicted by patriarchy and society. The narrative is scattered and at times hard to follow, with an incoherent storyline based on sex, sexual diseases, broken sentences, and fragmented poetry. includes elements like dream maps, graphic violence, sex, rape, and crude drawings, creating a surreal and disturbing trip for the reader.
Janey: You told me you were just friends like me and Peter (Janey’s stuffed lamb) and you weren’t going to sleep together. It’s not like my sleeping around with all these art studs: when you sleep wit...