Books matching: emotional detachment of characters
34 result(s)
Readers also searched for:
- #1
Save:A dark, poetically charged portrait of life under dictatorship - beautiful, bleak, and best suited for readers who enjoy challenging but rewarding literature.
- #2
Save:Weird, whimsical, and haunting - Observatory Mansions is a modern gothic full of melancholy and oddball beauty. It isn’t for everyone, but its strangeness just might win you over.
I wore white gloves. I lived with my mother and father. I was not a child. I was thirty-seven years old. My bottom lip was swollen. I wore white gloves though I was not a servant. I did not play in a... - #3
Save:"The Loosening Skin" by Aliya Whiteley is set in an alternative universe where humans moult their skin every seven years, losing their feelings of love for specific people in the process. The story follows the protagonist who has a rare condition causing her to moult more often than average, leading to a fundamental change in her emotions and relationships. When her ex-lover employs her to track down a stolen old skin, an interesting discovery leads to a surprising twist and drama. The narrative explores themes of love, attachment, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships in a world where love is only skin deep.
In Whiteley's world, the concept of shedding skin symbolizes a new life, where individuals are faced with the challenge of letting go of their past selves and relationships. delves into different perspectives on love and breakups through various characters, reflecting on the impact of personal growth and change on relationships. The sparse prose style of the author enhances the pace of the narrative, creating emotionally detached characters who navigate through a world where love can be cast aside with each shedding, ultimately leading to a thought-provoking exploration of human connections and identity.
- #4
Save:"I Am China" by Xiaolu Guo is a novel that centers around three characters: Jian, Mu, and Iona. Jian is a famous punk rocker in China who uses his music to advance his political visions, leading to his exile and imprisonment. Mu, his lover, is a poet who fears for Jian's involvement in politics. Iona, a young translator in London, becomes entranced with Jian and Mu's story as she translates their diaries and letters, despite the challenges posed by the Chinese government's attempts to erase their history. The narrative jumps between the lives of these characters, exploring themes of love, politics, identity, and the complexities of human connection.
The writing style of "I Am China" is described as curious, with a blend of Chinese styling and self-awareness. The novel delves into the struggles of the characters as they navigate personal and political challenges, with a focus on the connections between Chinese and Western cultures. The book unfolds through a mix of journal entries, letters, and song fragments, gradually revealing the deep emotional and political layers within the lives of Jian, Mu, and Iona.
- #5
Save:A polarizing, darkly comic odyssey into privileged ennui and self-destruction - brilliantly written and utterly unique, but absolutely not for everyone.
WHENEVER I WOKE UP, night or day, I’d shuffle through the bright marble foyer of my building and go up the block and around the corner where there was a bodega that never closed. I’d get two large cof... - #6
Save:Ariel is a powerhouse of modern poetry - dark, dazzling, and unforgettable. Approach it with an open mind (and maybe reread a few times!) for a haunting, beautiful experience.
- #7
Save:A quietly powerful novel for fans of introspective, character-driven stories; not Ann Patchett's most dazzling work, but still a compelling exploration of truth, lies, and the spaces in between.
I WAS SOMEWHERE outside of Ludlow, California, headed due east toward Kentucky, when I realized that I would be a liar for the rest of my life. There was plenty of time to think about things like that... - #8
Save:Profound, heartbreaking, and utterly original - a dazzling but emotionally intense novella best suited for fans of lyrical, surrealist science fiction.
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Borne ) - #9
Save:'Spring Garden' by Tomoka Shibasaki, translated by Polly Barton, follows the story of Taro, a divorced man living in a soon-to-be-demolished apartment building in Tokyo. Taro becomes intrigued by his neighbor Nishi's obsession with a sky blue house next door, which holds a mysterious allure for both of them. As they navigate their own personal struggles and loneliness, the story unfolds with a focus on fleeting connections, urban loneliness, and the search for meaning. The narrative flows smoothly between Taro's and Nishi's perspectives, with a poignant exploration of how where we live impacts how we live and feel about our everyday existence.
- #10
Save:A folk horror tale with haunting Appalachian atmosphere and queer themes, but uneven character work and a shaky ending may not satisfy everyone.
