Books matching: mental instability
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- #1
Save:'Dark Tales' by Shirley Jackson is a collection of unsettling and mysterious stories that evoke a sense of menace and suspense rather than outright fear. The tales are well-written, with a misleading sense of normality giving rise to strange and unexpected revelations. From haunted houses to dark woods, the stories in this collection explore themes of paranoia, haunting, and the sinister lurking within the mundane. Shirley Jackson's writing style is clean, vivid, and to the point, painting a vivid picture of a haunting world where nothing is as it seems.
Miss Adela Strangeworth stepped daintily along Main Street on her way to the grocery. The sun was shining, the air was fresh and clear after the night’s heavy rain, and everything in Miss Strangeworth... - #2
Save:"Threats" by Amelia Gray tells the story of David, a strange dentist whose wife recently died under mysterious circumstances. David becomes a person of interest in the investigation, but struggles to remember what happened and questions if his wife is truly dead. The narrative is described as creepy and nightmarish, with a disjointed structure that requires the reader to play investigator alongside the characters. Through vivid and grotesque writing, the book explores themes of grief, memory, love, aging, and the descent into paranoia and obsession.
THE TAPE ON THE PACKAGE was striped with waxed string. David dug his fingernails underneath the perimeter of the tape and clawed at it. He didn’t want to go to the kitchen for a knife, and he spent an... - #3
Save:'The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty' by Vendela Vida is a novel that delves into themes of identity and appearance through the journey of an unnamed protagonist in Casablanca, Morocco. The story follows the protagonist who loses her passport and identifying documents, forcing her to navigate a foreign city without credit or ID. As she interacts with a cast of characters and adopts different identities, the novel slowly builds towards a heartbreaking reveal, exploring the impact of anonymity on one's sense of self.
The book is narrated entirely in the second person, which immerses the reader in the protagonist's adventures and misadventures. Through a series of unexpected turns, the story unfolds in a way that prompts readers to reflect on their own identity and the concept of anonymity, ultimately leading to a compelling and ambiguous ending that leaves room for interpretation.
- #4
Save:The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is a classic horror novel that tells the story of four individuals invited to investigate the paranormal occurrences at Hill House. As they delve into the mysteries of the house, strange phenomena begin to unfold, leading to a growing sense of disassociation from reality and genuine horror. The narrative is a meditation on isolation, fear, and desperation, particularly focusing on the protagonist Eleanor's psychological journey as she navigates the haunting presence of Hill House.
No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to dream. Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its ... - #5
Save:Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is a satirical novel that delves into themes of madness, racism, economic disparity, and free will. The story follows the meeting of Kilgore Trout, a science fiction writer, and Dwayne Hoover, a Pontiac dealer, at an art festival. Through a series of absurd and chaotic events, Trout ends up changing Hoover's life, leading to a journey that touches on various social issues and critiques American culture. Vonnegut's writing style is described as witty, satirical, and unconventional, with elements of dark humor and profound observations about humanity.
The book features Vonnegut's signature style of short, simple sentences, interspersed with illustrations that break the fourth wall and add to the quirky nature of the narrative. Vonnegut's unique approach to storytelling includes meta elements where he appears as a character within the novel, manipulating the fate of the characters. Despite its meandering plot and unconventional structure, Breakfast of Champions offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition and societal norms through Vonnegut's satirical lens.
Actually, the sea pirates who had the most to do with the creation of the new government owned human slaves. They used human beings for machinery, and, even after slavery was eliminated, because it wa... - #6
Save:'There Are Doors' by Gene Wolfe is a standalone science fiction fantasy novel that follows the journey of a man, referred to as A.C. Pine or Mr. Green, as he navigates between different dimensions through mysterious doors. The protagonist's perceptions are unreliable, blurring the lines between reality and delusion, as he chases after a goddess and encounters various ambiguous characters in parallel worlds. The narrative weaves a complex tale of uncertainty, with hidden meanings, stories within stories, and a non-linear plot structure that challenges the reader's interpretation of events.
Wolfe's writing style in 'There Are Doors' is rich in detail and complexity, offering multiple layers of meaning beneath the surface narrative. The book explores themes of perception, reality, and identity, as the protagonist grapples with his own sanity and the enigmatic nature of the worlds he traverses. The plot unfolds gradually, keeping the reader on uncertain footing and provoking questions about the protagonist's mental state and the true nature of the events unfolding.
He nodded. "Women do use love, of course. But so do men, and men usually use it worse. Don't you think that only proves it's real? If it wasn't, nobody could use it." The brandy had gone to his head; ... - #7Lookerby:
Save:'Looker' by Laura Sims follows an unnamed female protagonist who becomes increasingly obsessed with the actress who lives on her street, vicariously living a normal albeit privileged life. The protagonist's life spirals out of control as she becomes fixated on the actress, leading to a series of irrational and destructive decisions. The narrative is written in a first-person perspective, delving deep into the protagonist's mind and showcasing her descent into obsession and instability.
It was Mrs. H who started calling her the actress, making it sound like she was one of those old Hollywood legends—Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Lauren Bacall. That may have been accurate early in her ... - #8
Save:The Landlady by Roald Dahl is a short story that captivates readers with its unexpected twists and morbid undertones. It is a part of Dahl's collection of adult short stories, showcasing his ability to lead readers up the garden path and leave them with a tantalizing cliffhanger. The story follows a young man named Billy Weaver who finds himself drawn to a bed and breakfast with a mysterious landlady, leading to a chilling and eerie experience that leaves a lasting impact on the readers.
Billy Weaver had travelled down from London on the slow afternoon train, with a change at Swindon on the way, and by the time he got to Bath it was about nine o’clock in the evening and the moon was c... - #9Panby:
Save:'Pan' by Knut Hamsun is a novella set in the north of Norway, following the first-person protagonist Thomas Glahn, a Romantic hunter with a vague military background. The story delves into Glahn's amorous pain, erotic jealousy, and multiple love triangles, all narrated with a mix of dream sequences and nature imagery. The book explores the theme of love and its transformative power on the characters, all while questioning the honesty of Glahn's narrative and his alienation from cultured society.
These last few days I have been thinking and thinking of the Nordland summer, with its endless day. Sitting here thinking of that, and of a hut I lived in, and of the woods behind the hut. And writing... - #10
Save:Going Wrong by Ruth Rendell is a psychological thriller that delves into the obsessive and delusional mind of Guy Curran, who is deeply in love with Leonora Chisholm. The story follows Guy's descent into paranoia and psychosis as he believes that Leonora's family and friends are conspiring against him. The narrative is primarily told from Guy's twisted point of view, showcasing his obsession, addiction, and manipulation as he spirals out of control. The book builds suspense as the reader is left wondering how the situation will be resolved, culminating in a surprising twist at the end that adds depth to the characters of both Guy and Leonora.
She always had lunch with him on Saturdays. This always happened, was an absolute, unless one of them was away. It was as certain as that the sun would rise in the morning, sparks fly upward, and wate...
