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Books matching: tragedy and tradition

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  1. #1

    LaRose by Louise Erdrich
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    A beautifully written, emotionally rich novel blending tradition and modern life, LaRose is a rewarding read for those who love immersive, character-driven stories - though its structure and style may not suit everyone.

    WHERE THE RESERVATION boundary invisibly bisected a stand of deep brush—chokecherry, popple, stunted oak—Landreaux waited. He said he was not drinking, and there was no sign later. Landreaux was a dev...

  2. #2

    The Owl Service by Alan Garner
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    A beautifully creepy, myth-soaked classic with a chilling atmosphere - a must for fans of folklore and literary YA, but may puzzle those who prefer more traditional storytelling.

    “Who’s laughing, girlie?” He brought a dry mop from the landing and placed the head against the door in the ceiling. The scratching had stopped. He pushed hard, and the door banged open. Dust sank in...

  3. 'Hug Chickenpenny: The Panegyric of an Anomalous Child' by S. Craig Zahler is a dark and twisted tale that follows the life of a deformed orphan named Hug Chickenpenny. The story is a farce and a lark, testing the reader's limits to care for this very strange protagonist in a sincere and heartfelt manner. The narrative progresses through short vignettes, reminiscent of a Roald Dahl story with a Grimm's Fairy Tale twist, showcasing a unique blend of humor, darkness, and emotional depth.

    The book explores themes of discrimination, hardship, and the struggles of a tragic yet uplifting spirit in a dark child's fable for adults. The writing style is described as folksy and fun, with a charming protagonist in Hug Chickenpenny, but some readers feel the lack of a traditional plot progression and conflicts, leading to a somewhat episodic and meandering storytelling approach.

    The sun crested a distant mountain range and shone upon suburban rooftops that had chimneys, television antennas, and lost model airplanes. Away from these pastel homes and atop a weedy hill stood an...

  4. #4

    Garden of Shadows - Dollanganger by Virginia Andrews
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    A must-read for gothic family saga lovers and Dollanganger fans, "Garden of Shadows" is melodramatic, dark, and tragic - unputdownable if you love seeing how villains are made, but definitely not everyone's cup of tea!

    WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, MY FATHER BOUGHT ME A priceless handcrafted dollhouse. It was a magical miniature world, with beautiful tiny porcelain dolls, furniture, even paintings and chandeliers and ru...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Dollanganger )

  5. #5

    The Gypsy Goddess by Meena Kandasamy
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    'The Gypsy Goddess' by Meena Kandasamy is a fictionalized version of the massacre that occurred in the village of Kilvenmani on Christmas Day 1968. The novel delves into the tragic event where 44 Dalit agricultural laborers, including women and children, were locked in a hut by landowners and burnt alive. The author's writing style captivates readers with its wit, clever wordplay, and postmodern devices, while also frustrating them with lengthy digressions and false starts. Kandasamy's narrative approach challenges traditional storytelling methods, offering a unique and profound account of the historical event.


  6. #6

    Miss Julie by August Strindberg
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    Miss Julie is a provocative and influential classic, but be ready for raw emotions and some seriously uncomfortable themes. A landmark of theatre history - just not a light read.


  7. #7

    The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy
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    A beautifully written but somber tale of tangled love and class divides set against a lush rural backdrop. For those who like moody classics and rich character studies, it’s vintage Hardy at his most evocative.

    The rambler who, for old association or other reasons, should trace the forsaken coach-road running almost in a meridional line from Bristol to the south shore of England, would find himself during th...

  8. #8

    The Rider on the White Horse by James Wright, Theodor Storm
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    A haunting, beautifully written novella that's equal parts eerie legend and sharp social commentary - a German literary classic that’s absolutely worth experiencing, especially in a good translation.

    What I am about to tell I learned nearly half a century ago in the house of my great-grand-mother, old Madame Fedderson, widow of the senator, while I was sitting beside her armchair, busy reading a m...

  9. #9

    Antigonick by Anne Carson
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    Antigonick by Anne Carson is a reimagining and interpretation of Sophocles' classic ancient Greek tragedy, Antigone. The book presents a modern and stylistic retelling of the tale, focusing on the daughter of Oedipus, Antigone, who defies the laws of her uncle Creon to give her brother a proper burial. Carson's translation plays with the idea of changing and accumulating meanings over time, adding layers of contemporary relevance and personal interpretation to the original text. The book features handcrafted elements such as handwritten text, ink and watercolor illustrations, and unique formatting, creating a physical object that enhances the reading experience.


  10. #10

    Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl
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    'Eurydice' by Sarah Ruhl is a modern play that delves into the themes of death, forgetting, memory, and loss. The story reinterprets the myth of Orpheus from the viewpoint of Eurydice, exploring her relationship with her father and the challenges she faces in the afterlife. The play is a sorrowful tale with fantastical elements, beautiful language, and a touch of humor, creating a dense narrative that demands attention from actors, directors, and designers alike.

    The play 'Eurydice' is a post-modern reimagining of a Greek tragedy, focusing on the emotional journey of the characters rather than complex plots or rich characters. Through the exploration of memory, loss, and love, the play presents a unique perspective on a well-known myth, incorporating elements like a chorus of stones and a devil on a tricycle. The narrative unfolds without intermission, captivating the audience with its poignant themes and engaging storytelling.


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