Books matching: dysfunctional family dynamics
100 result(s)
Mary Karr's memoir "Lit" delves into her journey through adulthood, detailing her struggles with alcoholism, marriage, motherhood, and her eventual conversion to Catholicism. The book portrays her raw and honest exploration of her past, including her battle with addiction and her path to recovery, all narrated with the poetic beauty of a talented storyteller. Karr's writing style captures the essence of her experiences, from the darkest moments to the uplifting triumphs, offering a candid reflection on her life's challenges and growth.
Age seventeen, stringy-haired and halter-topped, weighing in the high double digits and unhindered by a high school diploma, I showed up at the Pacific Ocean, ready to seek my fortune with a truck ful..."Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town" by Cory Doctorow is a dark and surreal tale that follows the life of Alan, a man with a mountain for a father and a washing machine for a mother. The story weaves between alternate reality, dysfunctional family dynamics, and the quest to provide free WiFi to a neighborhood. The narrative is filled with bizarre characters, magical realism, and unexpected twists, creating a unique blend of contemporary fantasy and technological fiction. Doctorow's writing style is engaging, with jumps in timeline and strange elements that keep readers captivated as they delve into Alan's world of eccentricity and mystery.
Alan sanded the house on Wales Avenue. It took six months, and the whole time it was the smell of the sawdust, ancient and sweet, and the reek of chemical stripper and the damp smell of rusting steel ...- #3
Save:'The Corrections' by Jonathan Franzen is a darkly funny novel that delves into the lives of the Lambert family, portraying their struggles and dynamics in a dysfunctional American family setting. The book follows the aging couple, Enid and Alfred, as they try to bring their three adult children together for a last Christmas, unraveling the failures, secrets, and buried hurts that haunt them. Through brilliant writing and vivid character portrayals, Franzen captures the essence of family life and suburbia, exploring themes of guilt, longing, and the complexities of relationships.
The madness of an autumn prairie cold front coming through. You could feel it: something terrible was going to happen. The sun low in the sky, a minor light, a cooling star. Gust after gust of disorde... - #4
Save:'After The Tears: Helping Adult Children Of Alcoholics Heal Their Childhood Trauma' by Lorie Dwinell and Jane Middelton-Moz delves into the impact of growing up in alcoholic or dysfunctional families. The book provides insights into the coping mechanisms developed during childhood and offers strategies for healing and moving forward. Readers appreciate the clear explanations and anecdotes that help them understand the challenges faced by Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOAs) in their adult lives.
The writing style of the book is praised for its compassion, insightfulness, and relatability. Readers mention feeling seen and understood as they read through the book, with many expressing how the authors accurately portrayed their experiences and emotions. The book is described as a valuable resource for individuals seeking to explore and address the effects of their upbringing in alcoholic families.
- #5
Save:Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey is a dark and intense thriller based on a true crime story. The book follows Cassie McDowell, a young teenage girl living in a dysfunctional family in a small Minnesota town during the 1980s. As boys in the town start getting kidnapped and returning changed, Cassie navigates the dangers both outside and inside her home, dealing with her alcoholic father, swinging parties hosted by her parents, and the mystery of the abductions. The story is narrated from Cassie's perspective, offering a raw and emotional insight into her experiences and fears.
I laughed and dug into the popcorn. Mom had made a huge batch, super salty and doused in brewer’s yeast. That had been an hour earlier, when we’d started game night. The bowl was getting down to the o... - #6
Save:"Never Mind" in the series 'The Patrick Melrose Novels' by Edward St. Aubyn is a raw portrayal of vile, pompous, privileged upper-class British men with depraved sexual tastes stemming from a childhood of savage boarding schools and distant, bullying fathers. The story unfolds over a couple of days at Eleanor Melrose's country estate in France, where the characters engage in witty and acerbic conversations, showcasing their disdain for each other and their shared values. delves into the life of Patrick Melrose, a child who suffers abuse from his violent father, setting the stage for a series of novels exploring the protagonist's maturation and experiences.
- #7
Save:Many readers found "We Need to Do Something" by Max Booth III to be a dark and unnerving horror novella that centers around a dysfunctional family trapped in a bathroom during a tornado. The book explores themes of dark magic, tension, claustrophobia, and family dynamics, with a writing style that keeps the readers glued to the pages and delivers a mix of supernatural and psychological horror elements.
- #8
Save:The novel 'The Snakes' by Sadie Jones delves into the complex dynamics of a young London couple, Bea and Dan, as they navigate their relationship amidst the backdrop of Bea's wealthy family. Bea's principled objection to accepting financial help from her affluent parents strains her marriage with Dan, who aspires to be an artist but is stuck in a soul-crushing job as an Estate Agent. The story unfolds in a dark and tension-filled narrative, exploring themes of class, race, wealth, power, greed, and familial abuse. As they travel through Europe and visit Bea's troubled brother Alex in France, the couple's lives are further entangled in a web of secrets, toxic family relationships, and unexpected violence.
The narrative in 'The Snakes' is characterized by a lyrical quality that seamlessly weaves together the exploration of deep-rooted family relationships, the impact of wealth on individuals, and the sinister atmosphere created by the metaphorical presence of snakes. The author, Sadie Jones, skillfully crafts a story that keeps readers on edge, blending elements of a family drama, murder mystery, and psychological thriller to create a compelling and thought-provoking tale that challenges societal norms and expectations.
- #9
Save:'Burn Our Bodies Down' by Rory Power is a haunting novel that delves into the complex relationships between mothers and daughters. The story follows Margot as she uncovers dark family secrets and a mysterious town called Phalene that holds the key to her past. The writing style is described as eerie and intense, with a slow-building plot that keeps readers on edge as they unravel the unsettling mysteries surrounding Margot's family.
The candle I lit this morning is on the coffee table. Scented, cloves and pine—Mom stole it from work last year and we’ve been putting off using it, burning every other thing we can find. A bowl of te... - #10
Save:'Success' by Martin Amis delves into the lives of two foster brothers, Gregory and Terrence, exploring their narcissistic and self-loathing personas over a span of twelve months in the 1980s. The narrative skillfully probes beneath the surface of each brother, revealing their complexities and vulnerabilities. The writing style is described as witty, bawdy, and entertaining, with a touch of weirdness. The novel is a mix of dark humor, social commentary, and character exploration, showcasing Amis' talent for sharp prose and intricate character development.
‘That’s just it. What can I do? Say, “Look, let’s have no more obscene poems, okay? Cut out the obscene poems”? Scarcely. I could always call the police, I suppose … let the police clear up the matter...
