Books matching: melancholic writing style
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- #1
Save:Half a Lifelong Romance by Eileen Chang is a poignant story set in 1930s and 1940s Shanghai, depicting the star-crossed romance between Manzhen and Shijun that is hindered by family drama and societal expectations. The novel intricately explores the shift from traditional conservative morality to collective communist values, illustrating the struggles of urban families navigating through Chinese cultural changes. The detailed descriptions of daily lives, historical narrative, and the theme of individualism overcoming unjust constraints create a compelling and realistic portrayal of the characters' lives in a changing society.
Time does fly for the middle-aged: a decade whips by in the blink of an eye, a flick of the fingertips. When you’re still young, even three or four years, maybe five, can seem an entire lifetime. That... - #2
Save:'Unconditional Surrender: The Conclusion of Men at Arms and Officers and Gentlemen' by Evelyn Waugh is a dark and introspective portrayal of Guy Crouchback's journey through World War Two. As the war progresses, Guy's noble intentions and sense of honor are challenged, leading to a deep sense of disillusionment and cynicism. The narrative delves into themes of lost ideals, moral dilemmas, and the futility of war, all set against the backdrop of a changing world and the personal struggles of the protagonist. Waugh's writing style combines acute observations, subtle humor, and melancholic tones to paint a complex picture of a man grappling with his beliefs and identity in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
When Hookforce sailed without him, Jumbo Trotter abandoned all hope of active service. He became commandant of No. 6 Transit Camp, London District, a post which required good nature, sobriety, and lit... - #3
Save:"The Confusions of Young Torless" by Robert Musil is a novel set in a boarding school where a group of adolescents navigate the complexities of power dynamics, sexuality, and philosophical musings. The protagonist, Torless, grapples with his own confusion about his feelings, witnessing acts of cruelty and oppression among his peers. The narrative delves into themes of innocence lost, coming of age, and the struggle to understand one's place in the world amidst moral ambiguity and psychological introspection.
The writing style of the book is described as melancholic yet powerful, with pages dedicated to introspection, dialogue-less scenes, and a focus on the heightened perception of reality experienced by Torless. The story unfolds with a quiet deliberateness, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the intricate exploration of the characters' minds and the timeless dynamics between the boys at the boarding school.
- #4
Save:'Jude the Obscure' by Thomas Hardy is a novel that follows the life of Jude Fawley, a lower-class man with dreams of becoming a scholar. The story explores themes of class, scholarship, religion, marriage, and the societal changes of the time period. The plot involves Jude's relationships with his earthy wife, Arabella, and his intellectual cousin, Sue, as they navigate through personal and social challenges. Hardy's writing style is described as melancholic, brutally honest, and unflinchingly realistic, portraying the struggles and tragedies faced by the characters.
ON AN EVENING IN the latter part of May a middle-aged man was walking homeward from Shaston to the village of Marlott, in the adjoining Vale of Blakemore or Blackmoor. The pair of legs that carried hi... - #5
Save:City by Clifford D. Simak is a collection of interconnected stories that explore the rise and fall of humanity through the perspectives of dogs, robots, and ants in a post-apocalyptic world. The narrative spans a vast time period, from the evolution of sentient dogs to the disappearance of mankind and the subsequent dominance of other species on Earth. The writing style is described as melancholic and cerebral, reflecting on themes of loneliness, desolation, and the passage of time, while also offering insights into the human condition and society.
These are the stories that the Dogs tell when the fires burn high and the wind is from the north. Then each family circle gathers at the hearthstone and the pups sit silently and listen and when the s... - #6
Save:Lafcadio Hearn's 'Japanese Ghost Stories' is a compilation of folktales and ghostly short stories from Japan, providing a glimpse into the supernatural world of Japanese folklore. The book is praised for its interesting, otherworldly, and romantic tales that range from typical hauntings to love stories between the dead and the living, all delving into Japanese supernatural mythology. Hearn's writing style is described as melancholy and vivid, with powerful storytelling that offers insights into Japanese life and culture in the late 1800s.
‘A long time ago, in the days when Fox-women and goblins haunted this land, there came to the capital with her parents a samurai girl, so beautiful that all men who saw her fell enamored of her. And h... - #7
Save:'Stay True: A Memoir' by Hua Hsu is a reflective narrative that delves into the author's college years at Berkeley in the late nineties. The book explores themes of identity, friendship, and grief as Hsu navigates his way through academic pursuits, intellectual discussions, and personal tragedies. The plot revolves around Hsu's friendship with Ken, a Japanese American, and the impact of Ken's tragic death on Hsu's life. The writing style is described as intellectual and introspective, with detailed observations on music, cultural movements, and personal experiences.
- #8
Save:The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa is a haunting and allegorical novel set on an unnamed island where things and memories gradually disappear, erased from people's minds by the enigmatic Memory Police. The story follows an unlikely trio who find solace in supporting each other as life becomes more difficult with each disappearance. The novel is beautifully written, with a slow and ponderous pace that explores themes of loss, memory manipulation, and the struggle to remember, ultimately delivering a cautionary tale about conformity and the erosion of reality.
“Long ago, before you were born, there were many more things here,” my mother used to tell me when I was still a child. “Transparent things, fragrant things…fluttery ones, bright ones…wonderful things... - #9
Save:'Out of Africa' by Isak Dinesen is a memoir detailing the author's experiences living on a coffee farm in Kenya from 1914 to 1931. The book vividly describes the African landscape, the people, and the animals, capturing the essence of Africa through rich prose. Dinesen's writing style is nostalgic and poetic, painting a picture of colonial Africa from the perspective of a colonizer. The book is structured as a collection of short reminiscences, at times feeling like journal entries, providing insights into Dinesen's life in Africa and her relationships with the locals.
I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills. The Equator runs across these highlands, a hundred miles to the North, and the farm lay at an altitude of over six thousand feet. In the day-tim... - #10
Save:'Anagrams' by Lorrie Moore follows the protagonist Benna Carpenter as she navigates through multiple realities, creating imperfect anagrams of her relationships. The book features a unique structure with short stories and a longer narrative, exploring themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. Moore's writing style is characterized by intricate wordplay, clever observations, and a mix of tragedy and comedy that delves into the depths of the human experience.
ALTHOUGH I WAS BETWEEN JOBS and afraid I would slip into the cracks and pauses of two different Major Medical policies, I was pleased when they said I had a lump in my breast. I had discovered it on m...
