Books matching: urban decay
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- #1
Save:In Lauren Beukes' 'Broken Monsters', the story unfolds in a broken Detroit, intertwining the lives of a diverse set of characters including a detective, her daughter, a failed journalist, a church worker, and a disturbed artist. As a young boy's mutilated body is discovered, the narrative delves into a complex web of events involving a supernatural element, online journalism, teenage friendships, and the dark desires of a killer artist. Beukes expertly weaves together multiple storylines, exploring themes of urban decay, media saturation, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy.
The writing style in 'Broken Monsters' is described as engaging, fast-paced, and gripping, with vividly real characters and a compelling plot that keeps readers hooked. Beukes' narrative approach immerses the reader in the haunting setting of Detroit, painting a vivid picture of a city in turmoil while exploring dark themes such as mental illness, misogyny, and the destructive power of social media. The book blends elements of crime thriller, horror, and social commentary, offering a multifaceted portrayal of a city grappling with darkness and decay.
Jonno is yanked from sleep’s deepest tar pits by an elbow to the jaw. He comes up flailing and disoriented, only to find himself fighting bed sheets. The girl from last night—Jen Q—rolls over, her arm... - #2
Save:'Borderland' by Terri Windling is the first installation in a series of shared world short stories and novels that serve as a foundational text for the urban fantasy genre. The book melds punk sensibilities with old world high fantasy glamour, creating a setting where elves and humans coexist in a city between Elfland and the human world. The stories in 'Borderland' explore urban decay, the collapse of the normal human world, and the impact on both humans and elves. The writing style captures the essence of contemporary youth culture, music, and the mysterious world of elves and fae, creating a unique and immersive reading experience.
Friday night started, for me and for all of us I suppose, in the street outside Danceland. I was sitting in the sidecar, waiting for Tick-Tick. She'd parked the bike outside Danceland and made her usu... - #3
Save:"The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman explores the hypothetical scenario of what would happen to the Earth if humans suddenly disappeared. Through a thought experiment, Weisman delves into various aspects of the planet's response to the absence of humanity, from the rapid decay of cities to the long-lasting impact of human artifacts. The writing style is engaging, blending scientific research and real-world examples to paint a vivid picture of a world reclaiming its balance without human interference.
Weisman's book not only discusses the potential aftermath of humanity's disappearance but also serves as a critical reflection on the environmental impact of human activities. By examining topics such as pollution, plastic waste, and ecological endangerment, the book prompts readers to consider the consequences of our actions on the planet. While offering insights into the resilience of nature, "The World Without Us" also highlights the urgent need for environmental conservation and awareness.
To keep his own memory connected, for years he daily laced his leather boots and hiked through his beloved Puszcza. Yet although he ferociously defends those parts of this forest still undisturbed by ... 'Firmin: Adventures of a Metropolitan Lowlife' by Sam Savage follows the life of Firmin, a literate rat born in the basement of a bookstore in early 1960s Boston. Despite being the runt of the litter, Firmin becomes a voracious reader by consuming book pages and develops a deep love for literature. The story is narrated from Firmin's perspective, offering a unique and witty insight into his philosophical struggles, loneliness, and interactions with the human world. Through Firmin's journey, the book explores themes of urban decay, vice, virtue, and the complex nature of humanity, all presented in a darkly comic and unforgettable narrative style.
I had always imagined that my life story, if and when I wrote it, would have a great first line: something lyric like Nabokov’s “Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins”; or if I could not do lyric...- #5
Save:The Orange Eats Creeps by Grace Krilanovich is a dark and poetic novel that follows the fragmented mind of the anti-heroine as she wanders aimlessly with a gang of young men in search of her missing sister, who may or may not be a vampire. The writing style is described as hallucinatory and stream-of-consciousness, blurring the lines between reality, fantasy, and metaphor. The narrative lacks a clear plot or linear continuity, with the protagonist's thoughts shifting between past, present, and abstract musings.
THE SUN IS SETTING. THE HOBO VAMPIRES ARE waking up, their quest for crank and blood is just beginning. Over the course of the frigid night they will roam the area surrounding the train stop looking f... 'The Origins of the Urban Crisis: Race and Inequality in Postwar Detroit' by Thomas J. Sugrue delves into the roots of the urban crisis in Detroit by exploring the racial dynamics, economic inequalities, and societal issues that plagued the city from the 1940s to the 1960s. It highlights how racism, discriminatory practices in employment and housing, and the impact of deindustrialization led to the decline of Detroit, creating segregated neighborhoods and perpetuating inequality. provides a detailed analysis of the systemic factors that exacerbated the divide between blacks and whites in postwar Detroit, shedding light on the complex history of the city and its lasting consequences.
- #7
Save:'Swing Hammer Swing!' by Jeff Torrington is a novel set in the waning days of The Gorbals, a slum in Glasgow facing urban renewal in the 1960s. The story follows unemployed aspiring writer, Tom Clay, as he navigates through a week in his life filled with incidents and digressions. The book captures the essence of Glasgow life with its colorful characters and humorous narrative style that blends puns, wordplay, and philosophical contemplations.
Torrington's writing style in 'Swing Hammer Swing!' is described as musical, poetic, punny, and amateur philosophical. The novel is characterized by its witty and erudite language, demanding close attention from readers due to its prolix nature. Despite the bleak setting of the Gorbals, the book maintains a comical and punny tone, offering a unique portrayal of the working-class Glaswegian cadences and the absurdities of everyday life.
Come Judgement Day the prosecution would exhibit the damning evidence of Paddy Cullen’s liver – a drink-maimed organ which not even his good qualities, like his sense of humour or his generosity, woul... - #8
Save:'Dark Gods' by T.E.D. Klein is a collection of four novellas that delve into various themes of horror and the supernatural. Each story offers a unique take on different subgenres of horror, from urban paranoia to Lovecraftian cosmic horror. The writing style is described as atmospheric, thought-provoking, and dripping with creepy ambiance, showcasing Klein's ability to paint a mundane world surrounded by unnameable horror and malice.
The stories in 'Dark Gods' explore themes such as urban paranoia, Lovecraftian cosmic horror, and the consequences of creating one's own dark god. Klein's writing style is praised for its originality, depth, and ability to evoke a sense of terror through subtle hints and glimpses rather than graphic descriptions of malevolence.
'Let's face it, Doctor, if an inmate's suicidal there ain't a hell of a lot you can do. Sure, you can take away his shoes so he don't strangle himself with his shoelaces, and you take away his clothes... - #9
Save:Deathbird Stories by Harlan Ellison is a collection of short stories centering around the theme of gods, both literal and metaphorical, ancient and modern. The stories vary in tone and subject matter, from surrealistic fantasy worlds to haunting and poetic narratives. Ellison's writing style is described as experimental, vividly realistic, and viscerally descriptive, blending elements of science fiction, horror, and urban fantasy.
On the night after the day she had stained the louvered window shutters of her new apartment on East 52nd Street, Beth saw a woman slowly and hideously knifed to death in the courtyard of her building... - #10
Save:In 'Urban Gothic' by Brian Keene, a group of suburban teenagers find themselves stranded in a dangerous part of town after their car breaks down. Seeking refuge in an old abandoned house, they soon realize they have stumbled into a nightmare inhabited by mutant cannibals. The fast-paced and relentless plot keeps readers on edge as the teenagers fight for survival against gruesome horrors lurking within the house. Keene's vivid descriptions and realistic decision-making of the characters immerse readers into the terrifying world he has created, making it a gripping and disturbing read.
A car rolled slowly past, its underside so low to the ground that it almost scraped against the road. The windows were tinted, and they couldn’t see the driver, but the vehicle’s stereo was turned up ...
