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Books matching: the value of literature

74 result(s)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 74 
  1. #1

    The Book of Sand by Jorge Luis Borges, Norman Thomas di Giovanni
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    The Book of Sand by Jorge Luis Borges is a collection of surreal short stories that explore the concept of time and being. The stories delve into themes such as books and libraries, nameless strangers, intersections of the past and present, bards and skalds, Christianity's pagan roots, architecture, mathematics, and unreliable first-person narrators. Each story in the collection shares a reflective and somber tone, often leading to a sense of resignation in the face of the inscrutable universe. The title story, "The Book of Sand," tells the tale of a man who encounters a mysterious book with infinite pages, leading to a series of philosophical questions and a sense of being trapped by its endlessness.


  2. #2

    The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley
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    The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley is a charming novel set in the waning days of WWI Brooklyn, revolving around second-hand bookshop owner Roger Mifflin, his wife Helen, and apprentice Titania. The story delves into danger and intrigue as World War I draws to a close, introducing elements of romance and wild imagination through the character of Aubrey Gilbert. The book is praised for its simplicity, delightful quotes about books, and the fun romantic adventure reminiscent of early talkies.

    The faults of the composition are plain to you all. I begin merely in the hope of saying something further of the adventures of ROGER MIFFLIN, whose exploits in "Parnassus on Wheels" some of you have ...

  3. #3
    A Borrowed Man
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    Book 1 in the series:A Borrowed Man

    A Borrowed Man - A Borrowed Man by Gene Wolfe
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    A Borrowed Man by Gene Wolfe follows the story of E.A. Smithe, a reclone of a dead mystery writer who is available for checkout at libraries in a futuristic USA. The plot revolves around Smithe being borrowed by a young woman, Colette, to uncover a hidden secret in one of the original E.A. Smithe's books, leading to a complex mystery involving murder, family secrets, and a portal to another world. The narrative style is characterized by Wolfe's trademark unreliable narrator, intricate world-building, and a blend of detective noir and interplanetary science fiction genres.

    Murder is not always such a terrible thing. It is bad, sure, sometimes awfully, awfully bad. But only sometimes. I have been lying here on my shelf trying to figure out why I wrote all this, and I thi...

  4. #4

    The Librarian of Burned Books by Brianna Labuskes
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    The Librarian of Burned Books by Brianna Labuskes is a powerful and emotionally resonant novel that revolves around three central characters Viv, Hannah, and Althea. The novel vividly portrays the emotional and intellectual toll that censorship takes on individuals and communities, highlighting the devastating consequences of cultural suppression. Through the experiences of these characters, the book delves into the profound impact of censorship and book burning during WWII and the dangers of censorship, intertwining locations, people, and events.

    Young American writer Althea James and Hannah Brecht, a Jewish lesbian, meet in Berlin in 1933, and their stories unfold alongside Vivian Childs in New York in 1944. As Vivian works to fight censorship and book bans, she inadvertently uncovers secrets that change all their lives forever, illustrating the enduring value of literature and the indomitable human spirit in the face of attempts to silence knowledge and ideas.


  5. #5

    Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
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    'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad follows Marlow's journey into the Belgian Congo in search of the mysterious Kurtz, an ivory trader who has gained supremacy over the natives through violence. The story delves into the darkness within the human soul, exploring themes of imperialism, good versus evil, and the horrors of colonialism. Conrad's writing style is described as dense and evocative, with vivid descriptions of the African jungle and a caustic tone that reflects the moral decay of the characters.

    Marlow's narration takes readers through a journey of self-discovery and moral ambiguity as he navigates the Congo River and encounters the brutality of European colonialism. The story is layered with symbolism and explores the subconscious workings of the characters, particularly Kurtz, who represents the darkness that lurks within humanity. Conrad's narrative style is both raw and moody, painting a stark picture of the destructive forces at play in the heart of Africa and the hearts of men.

    1869 Conrad’s father dies, also of tuberculosis; Conrad is adopted by his maternal uncle, Tadeusz Bobrowski, who lives in Poland. The completion of the Suez Canal effectively links the Mediterranean a...

  6. #6

    The Cat Who Saved Books by Louise Heal Kawai, Sōsuke Natsukawa
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    In "The Cat Who Saved Books," high school student Rintaro Natsuki finds solace in his grandfather's secondhand bookshop after his grandfather's death. When a talking cat named Tiger appears and enlists Rintaro's help in rescuing imprisoned books, the duo embarks on a series of whimsical quests through labyrinths and book-themed adventures. The book explores themes of grief, empathy, human connection, and the power of literature, all wrapped in a charming and heartwarming narrative that is reminiscent of Japanese novels with a touch of magical realism.

    The story unfolds with Rintaro's growth as he navigates loss, self-discovery, and the importance of books in shaping one's perspective on life. Through encounters with unique characters, sphinx-like riddles, and philosophical discussions about books, the narrative weaves a tale of friendship, adventure, and the transformative power of storytelling, culminating in a poignant message about the value of empathy and the significance of books in fostering understanding and personal growth.

    Leading from the front entrance straight through to the back was one single long aisle. Each side of this aisle was lined with towering stacks of bookshelves reaching all the way to the ceiling, and e...

  7. Set in South Africa in the 1940s, 'Cry, The Beloved Country' follows the journey of a Zulu pastor, Stephen Kumalo, as he searches for his son in the bustling city of Johannesburg. The story intricately weaves together the lives of two fathers and their sons, exploring the racial injustices and societal struggles faced by both black and white communities during the apartheid era. Through poignant storytelling and lyrical prose, Alan Paton creates a narrative that delves into themes of love, hope, forgiveness, and the enduring dignity of humanity.

    THERE IS A lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it. The road climbs seven miles into them, to Carisbroo...

  8. #8

    Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
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    Fahrenheit 451, a dystopian novel published in 1953 by Ray Bradbury, depicts a future where books are banned, burned, and entertainment is limited to mindless media consumption. The story follows Guy Montag, a fireman whose job is to burn books, but he begins to question the society's anti-intellectualism and conformity. Bradbury's writing style is described as lyrical, with a deeper meaning that critiques censorship, media manipulation, and the consequences of a society devoid of critical thinking.

    It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed. With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood ...

  9. #9

    The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy
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    In 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' by Thomas Hardy, the story revolves around Michael Henchard, a man who, in a fit of drunken rage, sells his wife and daughter at a fair, leading to a lifetime of regret and attempts at redemption. Set in the mid-19th century English rural life, the novel delves into themes of raw human emotion, respectability, and the consequences of past actions. With a cast of complex characters like Henchard, Farfrae, and Elizabeth Jane, the plot unfolds with twists and turns, culminating in a tragic yet expected ending. Hardy's writing style captures the reader's attention with compelling descriptions and a vivid portrayal of Dorsetshire town life.

    One evening of late summer, before the nineteenth century had reached one-third of its span, a young man and woman, the latter carrying a child, were approaching the large village of Weydon-Priors, in...

  10. #10

    Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
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    'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' by Thomas Hardy is a tragic tale following the life of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D'Urbevilles. Meeting her cousin Alec proves to be her downfall, leading to a series of events where she must navigate love, betrayal, and societal prejudices. Hardy defies conventions by focusing on the rural lower class, offering a frank treatment of sexuality and religion, while portraying a victim of Victorian hypocrisy with compelling depth and emotion.

    The narrative delves into Tess's struggles against her own perceived weaknesses, the brutality of others, and the prejudices of society. Through a mix of cruelty, oppression, and misguided forgiveness, Tess's tragic journey unfolds, challenging readers to question the purity of her character and the societal norms that shape her fate.

    ON AN EVENING IN the latter part of May a middle-aged man was walking homeward from Shaston to the village of Marlott, in the adjoining Vale of Blakemore or Blackmoor. The pair of legs that carried hi...

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