Books matching: compelling narrative voice
12 result(s)
- #1
Save:In Lisa Goldstein's wonderful contemporary fantasy The Uncertain Places, protagonist Will Taylor looks back on the events that occurred after his college roommate Ben introduced him to Livvy Feierabend in 1971. Will is smitten with Livvy, Ben is smitten with Livvy's sister Maddie. The consequences of decisions made in such places are forever. There's good fortune, to be sure, but it comes at a price, one that Will doesn't want Livvy to pay. The Feierabend sisters' world is vague in all the secret ways magic and boundary areas are vague, and that makes them all the more plausible and delightful. Will and Ben slowly discover that stories they always believed were just stories might be more than that.
IT WAS BEN AVERY who introduced me to Livvy, Livvy and her haunted family. This was in 1971, when Ben and I were sophomores in college. A lifetime ago, another world, but it seems like I can still rem... - #2
Save:'Dear Killer' by Katherine Ewell is a gripping thriller that follows the story of Kit, a 17-year-old assassin who receives secret letters instructing her on who to kill. Raised by her mother, a former serial killer, Kit struggles with her moral compass as she navigates her way through the world of murder and deception. The book delves deep into Kit's psyche, exploring her inner turmoil and the consequences of her actions, all while maintaining a fast-paced and engaging narrative style that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The novel offers a unique perspective by presenting a protagonist who is a murderer, rather than the typical hero trying to stop crimes. The plot is filled with twists and turns, as Kit grapples with her identity, relationships, and the dark secrets of her past. Ewell's writing is both thought-provoking and chilling, painting a complex portrait of a young killer struggling to find her place in a world devoid of right and wrong.
That is the most important guideline, and the hardest one for most people to understand—but I have understood it my entire life, from the moment I laid my hands on that first victim’s neck to this ver... - #3
Save:"On the Black Hill" by Bruce Chatwin is a novel that follows the lives of twin brothers, Lewis and Benjamin Jones, who spend their entire lives on their family farm in Wales. The book covers a span of almost a century, from the early 1900s to the 1980s, capturing the twins' experiences, challenges, and relationships with vivid descriptions of rural life. Chatwin's writing style is described as beautifully descriptive, capturing the essence of the Welsh countryside and the characters' emotions and thoughts in a lyrical and compelling manner.
The bedstead, an oak four-poster, came from their mother’s home at Bryn-Draenog when she married in 1899. Its faded cretonne hangings, printed with a design of larkspur and roses, shut out the mosquit... - #4
Save:'The Dinner' by Herman Koch is a dark and disturbing novel that unfolds over the course of a dinner at a high-end restaurant in the Netherlands. The story revolves around two brothers, their wives, and a terrible secret involving their sons. As the dinner progresses, flashbacks and revelations shed light on the complex relationships, moral dilemmas, and disturbing decisions made by the characters. The unreliable narrator, Paul, guides the reader through a narrative that is both shocking and thought-provoking, exploring themes of family dynamics, parental instincts, and the consequences of protecting one's own.
The novel delves into the depths of human morality and societal taboos, presenting a chilling portrayal of how far parents are willing to go to protect their children. Through clever storytelling and intricate plot twists, Herman Koch weaves a tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, questioning their own beliefs and values. With elements of suspense, dark humor, and psychological tension, 'The Dinner' offers a gripping exploration of family secrets, guilt, and the lengths people will go to in order to maintain appearances.
We were going out to dinner. I won’t say which restaurant, because next time it might be full of people who’ve come to see whether we’re there. Serge made the reservation. He’s always the one who arra... 'The Real Life of Sebastian Knight' by Vladimir Nabokov is a novel that delves into the complexities of identity, memory, literary pastiche, and linguistic playfulness. The story follows V., the anonymous half-brother of Sebastian Knight, as he attempts to research and write a biography of the deceased writer. Through a series of copious quotations from Knight's works and comments on his life, the novel explores the blurred lines between reality and fiction, challenging notions of legacy and identity in fresh ways. The narrative unfolds as a cross between Tristram Shandy and a detective fiction, with elements of academic pastiches and sly humor woven throughout the text.
Nabokov's writing style in 'The Real Life of Sebastian Knight' is described as typically Nabokovian, full of vivid and precise images, attention to language, and a direct, witty narrative voice. The novel captures the essence of a human quest for understanding and self-discovery as the narrator unravels the enigmatic life of Sebastian Knight, revealing layers of complexity and emotional depth. The book intricately weaves together themes of family relationships, authorial secrecy, mistaken identity, and the intricate process of reconstructing one's past, inviting readers to follow the twists and turns of its labyrinthine plot until clarity emerges, possibly upon a second reading.
SEBASTIAN KNIGHT was born on the thirty-first of December, 1899, in the former capital of my country. An old Russian lady who has for some obscure reason begged me not to divulge her name, happened to...- #6
Save:'Story Engineering' by Larry Brooks is a comprehensive guide to writing that breaks down key elements of successful storytelling. The author emphasizes the importance of core competencies such as character development and story structure, providing practical step-by-step advice on how to plan and design a compelling story. The writing style is described as informative and easy to follow, with a focus on teaching writers how to create stories that satisfy reader expectations while also incorporating surprise elements.
You can go your whole career as a writer without someone asking you to define the essence of story. What it means. What it is. What it isn't. For many writers this is a good thing. Because their answe... - #7
Save:The Book of Cthulhu 1 in the series by Ross E. Lockhart is a collection of Lovecraft-inspired stories that delve into the world of HP Lovecraft, offering various interpretations of the Cthulhu Mythos. The book features a mix of stories closely tied to the Cthulhu Mythos and others that take elements of Lovecraft's style with less emphasis on Cthulhu himself. The editor's arrangement of the stories ensures a smooth flow, although some readers found the copyediting to be subpar, affecting their reading experience.
The book includes tales that explore portals connecting realms of man and monsters, families tasked with closing divides, and cosmic apocalypses. Some stories are praised for their compelling and clever narratives, while others are critiqued for their strained incorporation of supernatural elements. The writing style varies from dense, vaporous prose to syntactically strange sentences, with some readers enjoying the intricate details of the narratives while others find the storytelling lacking momentum.
- #8
Save:'The Lie' by Chad Kultgen is a novel that follows the lives of three main characters told from their different perspectives. The story delves into the dark and twisted behaviors of these characters, showcasing their abhorrent actions and decisions. The narrative style is described as confessional, stream of consciousness, and diary-like, which keeps the readers engaged and conflicted about the characters' actions. The novel is filled with vulgarity and dark humor, often playing these elements for effective laughs while exploring the worst aspects of human nature.
We met about two weeks into our freshman year at SMU. I was majoring in biological sciences with the intent of getting into a good med school and she was getting a bachelor’s degree in elementary educ... - #9
Save:Mother Howl is a riveting read that intertwines two narratives seamlessly, following the story of Lyle Edison, a young man trying to escape the shadow of his serial killer father. The novel delves into themes of identity, guilt, and the desire for a fresh start, as Lyle changes his name and moves to a new town to start afresh. However, his plans are disrupted when a mysterious man named Icarus enters his life, claiming unearthly connections and knowledge about Lyle's past. The story unfolds as Lyle grapples with his past and the uncertain future that Icarus brings into his life, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
Craig Clevenger's writing style in Mother Howl is praised for its intelligence, originality, and mesmerizing quality. Readers are drawn into the story from the start, captivated by the intricate plot and the depth of the characters. The narrative is described as a slow burn, character-driven literary crime novel that explores the complexities of human emotions and the consequences of trying to escape one's past.
- #10
Save:'Waiting Period' by Hubert Selby Jr. is a dark and intense novel that delves into the mind of a man on the brink of suicide, who decides to seek revenge on those he deems responsible for his suffering. The protagonist's journey is filled with themes of violence, desperation, and a deep-rooted sense of injustice, portrayed through a stream of consciousness writing style that traps the reader in the fractured mind of the main character.
The book explores the protagonist's internal struggles and his descent into darkness as he navigates through a world filled with bureaucracy, violence, and moral dilemmas. Selby Jr. weaves a narrative that is both disturbing and thought-provoking, challenging the reader to confront themes of societal injustices, individual morality, and the thin line between sanity and madness.
