Books matching: dreamlike narrative
100 result(s)
- #1
'The Claw of the Conciliator' by Gene Wolfe is the second installment in 'The Book of the New Sun' series. The book follows the protagonist Severian on a journey through a strange world filled with surrealism and complex storylines. Severian's adventures lead him to the House Absolute, the castle of the Autarch, where he encounters feverish action sequences and symbolic meanings. The narrative style is described as phantasmagoric, with elements of science fiction and fantasy blending seamlessly to create a unique reading experience.
Morwenna's face floated in the single beam of light, lovely and framed in hair dark as my cloak; blood from her neck pattered to the stones. Her lips moved without speech. Instead I saw framed within ...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Book of the New Sun ) - #2
'Treacle Walker' by Alan Garner is a short novel that delves into the themes of perception, time, reality, and enchantment. The story follows a 20th-century boy named Joe who encounters an enigmatic rag and bone man named Treacle Walker, along with an ancient bog man named Thin Amren. Through a dreamlike narrative, the characters navigate a world where myth, magic, and folklore intertwine with elements of British comic characters and ancient wisdom. The writing style is described as spare yet evocative, meandering in plot but ultimately hypnotic and eccentric.
The book is a blend of liminal and inner landscape fiction, incorporating wordplay, folklore, and myth to create a unique and enchanting narrative. Readers are taken on a journey where the conventional world fades away, leaving room for adventures that challenge perception and reality. Despite its short length, 'Treacle Walker' offers a mesmerizing experience that explores the boundaries between the known and the mysterious, inviting readers to embrace the magic that still exists in the world.
- #3
The Marbled Swarm by Dennis Cooper is a disturbing and challenging read that delves into extreme content such as cannibalism, rape, pedophilia, necrophilia, and incest. The writing style is described as complex, dense, and beautiful, with some readers comparing it to if James Joyce wrote stylized traumatic fiction. The narrative is a confusing, beautiful, funny, violent, and explicit piece of art that leads readers down a road thinking they understand the gist of the story, only to send them flying into left field. The book is filled with shocking and grotesque scenes that aim to disturb and challenge the reader, leaving them with a sense of unease and discomfort.
The wooded property is vast enough to hold a hill of slight historical value and the makings of a river where the older son of the chateau’s prior owner appears to have slipped, bashed his inebriated ... The Adventures and Misadventures of Maqroll by Alvaro Mutis is a collection of interconnected novellas following the mysterious Maqroll, a sailor and wanderer who embarks on various adventures and misadventures in different parts of the world. Mutis weaves a rich tapestry of prose, evoking comparisons to literary giants like Conrad, Neruda, and Whitman, while also infusing a Dickensian tone to certain parts. The book delves into Maqroll's complex character, his encounters with a diverse cast of characters, and his philosophical musings on life and literature, all set against the backdrop of vividly depicted environments ranging from tropical jungles to bustling port cities.
1 THOUGHT that the writings, letters, documents, tales, and memoirs of Maqroll the Gaviero (the Lookout) had all passed through my hands, and that those who knew of my interest in the events of his li...- #5
'A Voyage to Arcturus' by David Lindsay is a surreal and inventive novel that follows the protagonist, Maskull, on a metaphysical journey to the planet Tormance orbiting the twin stars of Arcturus. The story delves into themes of reality, faith, and the nature of existence, with bizarre and eccentric elements such as new colors, strange body transformations, and encounters with enigmatic characters. Lindsay's writing style is described as unique, imaginative, and at times, philosophical, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that challenges traditional storytelling norms.
On a march evening, at eight o'clock, Backhouse, the medium - a fast - rising star in the psychic world - was ushered into the study at Prolands, the Hampstead residence of Montague Faull. The room wa... 'The Vorrh' by B Catling is a complex and challenging fantasy novel set in an unnamed African country during the late 19th or early 20th century. The central focus of the book is the mysterious Vorrh forest, which has a profound impact on the characters from the colonial town of Essenwald and beyond. The narrative weaves together multiple subplots involving historical figures, surreal elements, and mystical themes, creating a rich and vivid backdrop for the story to unfold. The writing style is described as poetic, with vivid descriptions that paint a surreal and hallucinatory picture of the world within the novel.
“That which is marred at birth Time shall not mend, Nor water out of bitter well make clean; All evil thing returneth at the end, Or elseway walketh in our blood unseen. Whereby the more is sorrow in ...- #7
The Lime Twig is a novel that delves into a dreamy and artistic portrayal of a disturbing story, set in post-war England. The narrative follows Michael and Margaret Banks as they are dragged into the criminal underworld due to Michael's involvement in a racehorse scam. The author, John Hawkes, intricately weaves a suspenseful plot with vivid descriptions of the English landscape, creating a disordered dreamscape that is both exaggerated and strangely familiar. The writing style is hypnotic and oddly beautiful, even when depicting filth and violence, leaving the reader slightly exhausted yet intoxicated by the imagery.
SIDNEY SLYTER SAYS Happy Throngs Arrive at Aldington for Golden Bowl … Mystery Horse to Run in Classic Race … Rock Castle: Dark Horse or Foul Play? Gray toppers, gray gloves and polished walking stick... - #8
'The Gods of Pegana' by Lord Dunsany is a pioneering work in fantasy literature, presenting an entirely invented mythology that has influenced generations of writers. The book delves into a world of gods and prophets, exploring the relationship between the divine and mortal realms. Through a series of short stories, Dunsany weaves a tapestry of fantastical elements, creating a mythic landscape that is both haunting and inspiring. The writing style is elevated and mythic, reminiscent of ancient texts, offering a unique and original approach to storytelling that sets it apart from modern fantasy works.
The book is a collection of short stories that introduce readers to a pantheon of gods, each story providing a glimpse into the intricate web of relationships and power dynamics among the divine beings. The plot revolves around themes of creation, prophecy, and the mysteries of the cosmos, inviting readers to ponder the nature of existence and the role of gods in shaping the world. Dunsany's prose is rich with imagery and symbolism, painting a vivid picture of a universe where the gods hold sway over the fates of both gods and mortals.
Roon met the Worlds all in the morning of Things, before there was light upon Pegāna, and Roon danced before them in the Void, since when they are never still, Roon sendeth all streams to the Sea, and... - #9
Standish, an American academic, accepts a short-term research posting in England, where he experiences strange and surreal occurrences at a secluded estate. The prose in the book is praised for its lush and engaging nature, creating a ghost story atmosphere that keeps readers intrigued. The narrative unfolds with a mix of tranquility and unease, as Standish delves into the mysteries of the estate and its enigmatic inhabitants.
- #10
'Collected Stories' by Vladimir Nabokov is a compilation of nearly seventy short stories that showcase the masterful storytelling of the author. The stories range from beautifully written and poetic to bizarre and atmospheric, often delving into themes of memory, clearness, and surrealism. Nabokov's writing style is described as indescribably beautiful, whimsical, and gripping, with a mix of migr homesick emotions and vivid imagery that captivates the reader's imagination.
The collection includes stories originally written in Russian and French, translated into English by Nabokov himself or his son Dmitri. The narratives are often melancholic and thought-provoking, exploring themes of death, nightmares, and deep emotions. Nabokov's ability to weave intricate plots and observe the world with a keen eye for detail results in a collection that is both haunting and sublime, offering readers a glimpse into the genius of one of the finest fiction writers of the twentieth century.