Books matching: unsettling
100 result(s)
Readers also searched for:
- #1
Save:'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis is a novel that delves into the life of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy and materialistic investment banker living in Manhattan during the late '80s and early '90s. The book follows Bateman's descent into madness as he struggles with his identity, connections, and reality amidst a backdrop of extreme violence and graphic descriptions. The writing style of the book combines dark humor, disturbing scenes of violence, and a sharp critique of American society's obsession with consumerism and superficiality.
The narrative of 'American Psycho' juxtaposes the horrific with the banal, offering a satirical commentary on the culture of wealthy, self-centered individuals who are detached from the consequences of their actions. Through Bateman's perspective, the novel explores themes of excess, narcissism, and the emptiness of a life driven by material possessions and societal expectations. The book challenges readers to question the values of the era it portrays and leaves them contemplating the blurred lines between reality and delusion.
ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE is scrawled in blood red lettering on the side of the Chemical Bank near the corner of Eleventh and First and is in print large enough to be seen from the backseat o... - #2
Save:In a dystopian future where a virus has made animal meat poisonous to humans, leading to the consumption of human flesh as a replacement protein source, 'Tender Is the Flesh' by Agustina Bazterrica explores the societal implications and ethical dilemmas that arise from this gruesome practice. The novel follows Marcos Tejo, a man working in a slaughterhouse where humans are processed for consumption, as he navigates through a world where cannibalism has become legal and normalized. The book delves into the detailed descriptions of this new world order, exploring themes of callousness, economic feudalism, and the dark sides of human nature.
The writing style of 'Tender Is the Flesh' is described as chilling, vivid, and thought-provoking, with a focus on world-building and delivering a message rather than character development or plot intricacies. The author, Bazterrica, paints a grim picture of a future society where the boundaries of morality and humanity are blurred, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human behavior and societal norms.
Carcass. Cut in half. Stunner. Slaughter line. Spray wash. These words appear in his head and strike him. Destroy him. But they’re not just words. They’re the blood, the dense smell, the automation, t... Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy is a brutal and violent tale set in the American Southwest and Mexico during the 19th century. The story follows a young man known as The Kid who joins a group of scalp hunters led by the enigmatic and ruthless Judge Holden. The book delves into themes of violence, survival, and the darkness of human nature, all portrayed through McCarthy's haunting and vivid prose. The narrative is bleak and unrelenting, showcasing the harsh realities of life on the border between Mexico and America, where evil takes on human form in the physical world.
The book is described as a western where the Wild West is stripped of any heroic illusions, focusing instead on a group of merciless scalp hunters collecting bounties along the US-Mexico borderlands. McCarthy's writing style is elegant, detached, and breath-catching, rendering the beauty of the desert landscapes, the brutality of survival, and the emotional bankruptcy of the characters with exquisite detail. The characters, especially the enigmatic Judge Holden, provide a glimpse into mankind's addiction to violence, making the novel a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of morality and human nature.
See the child. He is pale and thin, he wears a thin and ragged linen shirt. He stokes the scullery fire. Outside lie dark turned fields with rags of snow and darker woods beyond that harbor yet a few ...- #4
Save:The Wasp Factory by Iain M. Banks is a dark and disturbing novel that delves into the mind of a young psychopath named Frank. Living on an isolated island off the coast of Scotland with his father, Frank's life takes a twisted turn as he navigates through violent and unsettling events, including a shocking revelation about his past. The book explores themes of violence, family dysfunction, and psychological horrors, all narrated in a gripping and intense writing style that immerses readers into Frank's distorted world.
At the north end of the island, near the tumbled remains of the slip where the handle of the rusty winch still creaks in an easterly wind, I had two Poles on the far face of the last dune. One of the ... - #5
Save:'The Girl Next Door' by Jack Ketchum is a disturbing and dark novel based on a true story of torture and abuse. The plot revolves around Ruth Chandler, who starts to take a dislike to Megan, leading to verbal abuse escalating to extreme torture with the involvement of Ruth's children. The story is narrated from David Moran's perspective, a fictitious neighbor who witnesses the disturbing events and tries to help Megan. Ketchum's writing style is described as graphic and detailed, drawing readers in and horrifying them with the events depicted in the book.
The book delves into the ugliest sides of human behavior, showcasing the depravity and cruelty that people are capable of. It explores themes of child abuse, torture, and the darkness that can reside within individuals and society. The narrative is engaging, emotional, and harrowing, with a focus on the power dynamics and the impact of the horrific events on the characters involved.
She is driving down a rain-slick highway on a hot summer morning in a rented Volvo, her lover by her side, driving slowly and carefully because she knows how treacherous new rain on hot streets can be... - #6
Save:House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is a complex and ambitious novel that delves into the mysterious record of a house that defies physics, expanding and lacking spatial boundaries. The story is told unconventionally through different perspectives, utilizing unique page layouts, sentences, paragraphs, and words to create imagery that parallels the narrative. The book also incorporates numerous footnotes that reference various elements, both real and imaginary, adding layers of depth to the storytelling.
The narrative structure of the book weaves together multiple stories within stories, creating a layered and enthralling journey into the unknown. Readers are drawn into the tale of The Navidson Record, told through the lenses of Zampano and Johnny Truant, each contributing to the unfolding mystery of the house that challenges reality. The book's presentation and narrative style offer a blend of horror, academic critique, and metafictional elements, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.
§Provide examples of hand shadows ranging from crabs, snails, rabbits,and turtles to dragons, panthers, tigers, and kangaroos. Also includehippos, frogs, elephants, birds of paradise, dogs, cockatoos,... - #7
Save:'Geek Love' by Katherine Dunn is a dark and twisted tale about a family of circus performers who resort to extreme measures to create new acts for their show. The story follows the lives of the Binewski family, who engineer their own physical deformities through drug use during pregnancy to produce a collection of freakish offspring. The narrative delves into themes of family dynamics, sibling rivalry, identity, creation, and the blurred lines between beauty and monstrosity. The writing style is described as vivid, imaginative, and hypnotic, perfectly matching the baroque and bizarre events that unfold within the story.
“When your mama was the geek, my dreamlets,” Papa would say, “she made the nipping off of noggins such a crystal mystery that the hens themselves yearned toward her, waltzing around her, hypnotized wi... - #8
Save:Child of God by Cormac McCarthy is a chilling and disturbing exploration of the descent of Lester Ballard, a man isolated from society who spirals into murder and necrophilia. McCarthy's writing style is sparse yet powerful, capturing the bleak setting and the dark depths of human behavior with precision. The book delves into themes of evil, loneliness, and the fragility of humanity, painting a haunting portrait of a man's degradation.
THEY CAME LIKE A CARAVAN of carnival folk up through the swales of broomstraw and across the hill in the morning sun, the truck rocking and pitching in the ruts and the musicians on chairs in the truc... - #9
Save:'Earthlings' by Sayaka Murata is a dark and disturbing novel that follows the life of Natsuki, a young girl who faces abuse and neglect from her family. The story unfolds as Natsuki forms a unique bond with her cousin Yuu during their annual visits to their grandparents' house. The narrative explores themes of trauma, nonconformity, and survival, taking readers on a journey from Natsuki's troubled childhood to her unconventional adulthood. Murata's writing style is described as delirious and surreal, with a focus on societal pressures, alienation, and the extreme coping mechanisms adopted by the characters.
As we wound our way up steep hairpin bends, I gazed out the window at the swaying trees, at the undersides of the leaves so swollen they looked as though they would burst. That was where the pitch-bla... - #10
Save:The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a post-apocalyptic tale that follows a father and son as they navigate through a desolate and brutal world. The story delves into themes of survival, humanity, and the unbreakable bond between parent and child. McCarthy's writing style, described as sparse and bleak, perfectly captures the grim and hopeless atmosphere of the dystopian setting, drawing readers into the harrowing journey of the protagonists.
When he woke in the woods in the dark and the cold of the night he'd reach out to touch the child sleeping beside him. Nights dark beyond darkness and the days more gray each one than what had gone be...
