Books matching: human condition
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- #1
Save:Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is a unique and thought-provoking novel that follows the life of Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes unstuck in time. The story is told in a non-linear fashion, jumping between events such as the bombing of Dresden during World War II, Billy's childhood, hospitalization, and abduction by aliens. Vonnegut's writing style is a blend of dark humor, satire, and science fiction elements, creating a narrative that challenges the reader to question reality and the nature of war.
All this happened, more or less. The war parts, anyway, are pretty much true. One guy I knew really was shot in Dresden for taking a teapot that wasn’t his. Another guy I knew really did threaten to h... - #2
Save:The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green is a collection of essays that delve into various aspects of the Anthropocene era, exploring topics ranging from the invention of Dr Pepper to the impact of humanity on the planet. Green's writing style is described as thought-provoking, emotionally resonant, and deeply personal, offering unique insights into human experiences and interactions with the world.
I find more and more that I refer to it as “it” and “this” without naming or needing to name, because we are sharing the rare human experience so ubiquitous that the pronouns require no antecedent. Ho... - #3
Save:'The Circus in Winter' by Cathy Day is a collection of interconnected short stories that revolve around the lives of people connected to the Great Porter Circus, which wintered in a small town in Indiana. The stories offer a glimpse into the circus life from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, exploring themes of resilience, relationships, and the lasting impact of the circus on the town and its inhabitants. Through well-woven narratives, the author paints a vivid picture of circus performers, town folks, and the complex dynamics that shape their lives.
Cathy Day's writing style in 'The Circus in Winter' is described as introspective, character-driven, and poignant. The stories delve into the motivations, relationships, and struggles of the characters, with a backdrop of circus life that adds depth and richness to the narrative. Each story unfolds truths about the human condition, exploring themes of love, loss, hope, and despair against the backdrop of the circus world and small-town life, creating a moving portrait of interconnected lives and shared experiences.
CIRCUS PROPRIETORS are not born to sawdust and spangles. Consider this: P. T. Barnum was nothing more than a dry-goods peddler—that is until he bought a black woman for $1,000, a sum he quickly recoup... 'Bradbury Stories: 100 of His Most Celebrated Tales' is a collection of short stories spanning Ray Bradbury's writing career. The stories cover a wide range of genres, from science fiction to fantasy, with locations ranging from Mars to back gardens. Bradbury's writing style is described as lyrical, poetic, and evocative, with each story painting vivid images and leaving the reader with subtle lessons about humanity. The book is praised for its vast collection of stories that explore different aspects of the human condition, showcasing Bradbury's ability to capture both the popular and literary imagination.
Warm summer twilight here in upper Illinois country in this little town deep far away from everything, kept to itself by a river and a forest and a meadow and a lake. The sidewalks still scorched. The...- #5
Save:The Woman in the Dunes by Kobo Abe is a surreal and claustrophobic tale that follows the story of a man who becomes trapped in a house buried in sand dunes, forced to continuously excavate sand to prevent the house from being engulfed. The book explores themes of existentialism, despair, and the struggle for freedom amidst a bleak and oppressive setting. Abe's writing style is described as lyrical, dreamlike, and haunting, with vivid descriptions that immerse the reader in the desolate atmosphere of the sand pit.
ONE August afternoon a man stood in the railroad station at S––. He wore a gray peaked hat, and the cuffs of his trousers were tucked into his stockings. A canteen and a large wooden box were slung ov... - #6
Save:The Scar by Marina Dyachenko is a modern fairytale told in a classic Russian style, focusing on themes of manhood, courage, and redemption. The story follows two characters facing harsh realities and struggling with their hopes and dreams, ultimately leading to a satisfying climax. Set in a world with mages and mysterious orders, the book delves into the depths of human condition through a fantasy setting, showcasing the journey of characters linked by a senseless murder and the consequences that follow.
The walls of the crowded tavern were shaken from the boom of drunken voices. After solemn mutual toasts, after good-natured but pointed jests, after cheerful scuffles, it was now time to dance on the ... - #7
Save:The Dean's December by Saul Bellow is a novel that delves into the life of Albert Corde, a newsman who returns to his hometown of Chicago to serve as the Dean of Students. The story revolves around a trial of two black men accused of killing a white student, offering a dual commentary on the evils of both large-scale communism and big-time capitalism. Bellow's writing style showcases a plea for the preservation of humanity in a world where traditional values are diminishing, exploring themes of cross-cultural conflict, societal decay, and personal limitations.
CORDE, WHO LED THE LIFE of an executive in America—wasn’t a college dean a kind of executive?—found himself six or seven thousand miles from his base, in Bucharest, in winter, shut up in an old-fashio... - #8
Save:'The Collected Stories' by Amy Hempel is a collection of short stories and a novella that showcase the author's exceptional craft in forming words into sentences. Readers praise Hempel for her minimalist writing style, precision, and the way she delves into the human condition with flashes of wry humor. The stories are described as stark, concise, and heartbreaking yet filled with moments of redemption. Hempel's writing is noted for being moving, insightful, and able to turn mundane topics into beautiful and interesting narratives. is commended for its economy of words, the command of story, and the sheer joy of experiencing Hempel's writing.
It’s all about the sentences. It’s about the way the sentences move in the paragraphs. It’s about rhythm. It’s about ambiguity. It’s about the way emotion, in difficult circumstances, gets captured in... 'The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays' by Albert Camus delves into the concept of the Absurd, exploring the distressing match between man's ultimate questions and the silent universe. Camus argues against suicide as the only solution in a meaningless world, advocating for embracing freedom and taking responsibility for one's choices. Through essays and philosophical musings, Camus challenges traditional views of existence, finding meaning in the struggle itself and urging readers to live with dignity and acceptance of life's futility.
My field,” said Goethe, “is time.” That is indeed the absurd speech. What, in fact, is the absurd man? He who, without negating it, does nothing for the eternal. Not that nostalgia is foreign to him. ...- #10
Save:Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian is a complex novel that follows an unnamed narrator on a journey through rural, mountainous China while also telling the story of a pair of lovers. The book explores encounters with the legacies of the Cultural Revolution, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and other aspects of Chinese historical experiences. It delves into the clash between ancient traditions and modernism in Communist China, highlighting themes of environmental degradation and the mistreatment of women.
In the bus station, which is littered with ice-block wrappers and sugar cane scraps, you stand with your backpack and a bag and look around for a while. People are getting off the bus or walking past,...
