Books matching: communal living
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- #1
Save:In "Perfect Little World," author Kevin Wilson presents an intriguing concept about a social experiment where ten families raise their children collectively without knowing their biological parents. The novel delves into the complexities and dynamics of communal parenting, showcasing both the positive and negative aspects of the unique experiment. Set in a utopian commune created by a social scientist and a wealthy businesswoman, the story follows the characters' struggles, relationships, and unexpected alliances within the experimental setting. As tensions rise and conflicts emerge, the narrative explores themes of family, love, and the roles individuals play in creating familial units.
Three hours after she had graduated from high school, Izzy sat on a park bench next to her art teacher, Mr. Jackson, and told him that she was pregnant. Despite the awkwardness of the confession, she ... - #2
Save:'Ecotopia' by Ernest Callenbach is set in a future where Northern California and the Pacific Northwest secede from the United States to form an environmentally friendly nation called Ecotopia. The narrative is presented through a combination of official articles and private diary entries, offering dual perspectives on the society. delves into the ecological sound future of Ecotopia, focusing on its decentralized, democratic, and communal society where cars are banned, and walking, bicycles, and high-speed trains are the primary modes of transportation. Despite some criticisms of the writing style and character development, the book is commended for its visionary and influential portrayal of a utopian world.
WESTON’S NEXT ASSIGNMENT: ECOTOPIA The Times-Post is at last able to announce that William Weston, our top international affairs reporter, will spend six weeks in Ecotopia, beginning next week. This u... - #3
Save:The Ash Family by Molly Dektar follows the story of a young woman named Berie who, feeling lost and pressured to go to college, decides to join an off-the-grid farming commune known as The Ash Family. Led by the charismatic Dice, the group's seemingly idyllic lifestyle soon reveals darker aspects as Berie, now known as Harmony, is drawn into a world of manipulation, surveillance, and violence. The novel explores Berie's struggle for belonging, her internal conflicts, and the gradual realization of the true nature of the commune she's become a part of.
Bay and I approached the farm at dawn. The first sun churned sideways through the trees, catching in the previous day’s rain, which the wind now shook down from the Carolina silverbells, the beeches, ... - #4
Save:'In Watermelon Sugar' by Richard Brautigan is a fabulistic portrayal of a community based in the fictional town of iDEATH. The story is captured by an unnamed narrator who offers a poetic, wistful detachment of this strange utopian oddity where the sun shines a different color every day of the week, and dark, mysterious elements gather and disperse on the town's fringes. The novel is a surreal and beautifully written piece that rewards repeated readings, with brief gnomic chapters creating an ambiguous feel that is sometimes idyllic and sometimes unsettling, even sinister.
Some of the bridges are made of wood, old and stained silver like rain, and some of the bridges are made of stone gathered from a great distance and built in the order of that distance, and some of th... - #5
Save:In the book "Drop City" by T.C. Boyle, a California commune of hippies in the late 1960s decides to move to Alaska to live off the land, only to find challenges with the harsh Alaskan environment and clashes with the local residents. The narrative shifts between the perspectives of various characters, highlighting the struggles and interactions between the two communities. The author captures the essence of the counter-cultural '70s, exploring themes of communal living, freedom, and the complexities of idealism versus reality.
The morning was a fish in a net, glistening and wriggling at the dead black border of her consciousness, but she'd never caught a fish in a net or on a hook either, so she couldn't really say if or ho... - #6
Save:"Duplicate Keys" by Jane Smiley is a murder mystery set in Manhattan in the 1980s. The story revolves around Alice, a divorced woman who discovers her friends Denny and Craig murdered in their apartment. As Alice delves into the case alongside Detective Honey, she uncovers mysteries within her group of friends, including a rock band called Deep Six. The plot unfolds as Alice navigates through the complexities of her relationships with her friends and tries to unravel the truth behind the murders.
The narrative style of "Duplicate Keys" combines elements of a murder mystery with a focus on the dynamics of friendships and group interactions. Through the eyes of the main character, Alice, readers are taken on a journey filled with suspense, nuanced conversations, and unexpected twists. Jane Smiley's writing portrays a relaxed yet suspenseful atmosphere, where characters from the hippie era find themselves entangled in a web of secrets and danger.
“I HAD a key. I was there to water Susan’s plants, but I’ve always had a key. Each of the guys in the band would have one, and other friends, too.” Across from Alice, Police Detective Honey jotted som... - #7
Save:METAtropolis: The Dawn of Uncivilization is a collection of five interconnected stories set in a shared future world, focusing on cities in a post-apocalyptic setting where eco-friendly ideologies have prevailed. The stories explore various urban futures, from enclosed cities to anarcho-environmentalist collectives to the tragedy of Detroit, offering a diverse and engaging look at a possible future. The writing style of the book is described as fast-paced, adventurous, and accessible, with each story standing alone while contributing to the larger tapestry world created by the collaborative efforts of five talented authors.
One of the most clichéd pieces of writing advice out there is “write what you know”—but the reason this advice is cliché is that it happens to be true. And one of the interesting things about the META... - #8
Save:'Walden Two' by B.F. Skinner is a fictional exploration of a utopia based on behaviorist principles. The story follows a group of characters visiting the community of Walden Two, where the founder, Frazier, showcases the society's unique structure and practices. delves into the concepts of behaviorism, positive reinforcement, and social engineering, presenting a thought-provoking narrative that challenges traditional ideas of societal organization. The writing style is described as detailed and focused on developing the setting rather than the characters, offering an interesting and sometimes unsettling look at the darker side of social engineering.
HE TURNED up one day in the doorway of my office. He was already out of uniform, but he had not yet lost the leathery tan which testified to his military service. He was tall and fair and he had the p... - #9
Save:'A Demon in My View' by Ruth Rendell is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the twisted mind of loner Arthur Johnson, a middle-aged man living in a London boarding house. The story follows Arthur's disturbing urges towards women and his unique way of controlling his dark impulses. As the plot unfolds, the reader is introduced to a diverse group of characters living in the same house, providing a backdrop for the tension and suspense to slowly build. The narrative skillfully navigates through Arthur's unsettling psyche, creating a chilling yet compelling exploration of psychological depth and human behavior.
The houses were warrens for people, little anthills of discomfort. Almost each one, built to accommodate a single family, had been segmented into four or five separate units. Ungracious living was evi... - #10
Save:'Walkaway' by Cory Doctorow is a near-future science fiction novel that explores a world where people choose to walk away from a society controlled by rich oligarchs and create a new civilization in deserted areas. The story delves into themes of economics, politics, technology, ethics, psychology, and anarchy, painting a picture of a future where individuals build communities based on shared resources and ideals. The narrative follows a group of characters navigating through a world of abundance, revolution, and resistance against the powerful forces trying to maintain the status quo.
The writing style of 'Walkaway' is described as a mix of dialogue-heavy storytelling, detailed descriptions, and philosophical discussions. The author, Cory Doctorow, weaves together complex ideas and concepts with a focus on social change, human nature, and the impact of technology on society. presents a dark yet hopeful vision of the future, challenging readers to consider alternative ways of living and organizing communities in a world marked by scarcity and inequality.
Hubert Vernon Rudolph Clayton Irving Wilson Alva Anton Jeff Harley Timothy Curtis Cleveland Cecil Ollie Edmund Eli Wiley Marvin Ellis Espinoza was too old to be at a Communist party. At twenty-seven, ...
