Books matching: obsession and loneliness
48 result(s)
- #1
Save:Intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant, 'When Nietzsche Wept' rewards those ready to engage deeply with big ideas. Stick with it past the slow start, and you’ll discover a book that lingers long after you close it.
'When Nietzsche Wept' by Irvin D. Yalom is a fictional novel that delves into the mental struggle of two great minds, Friedrich Nietzsche and Josef Breuer, as they navigate through their personal challenges. The book offers a glimpse into the development of psychology and weaves a story with messages of philosophy, psychology, and spirituality. Set in Vienna in 1882, the plot revolves around the interactions between Nietzsche and Breuer, exploring their obsessions, loneliness, and attempts to find meaning in their lives.
Yalom's novel is an imaginative creation of the birth of talk therapy, showcasing the relationship between philosophical concerns and the concrete issues explored in psychotherapy. Through philosophical counseling and deep conversations, Breuer and Nietzsche gradually become friends, sharing their innermost feelings and skepticism towards religion. The book not only provides insights into Nietzsche's thought but also delves into themes of purposelessness, fear of dying, and the pursuit of meaning in life.
THE CHIMES OF SAN SALVATORE broke into Josef Breuer’s reverie. He tugged his heavy gold watch from his waistcoat pocket. Nine o’clock. Once again, he read the small silver-bordered card he had recei...January 1992•349 pages - #2
Save:A beautifully written, unsettling, and moody psychological gothic - just make sure you’re ready for a slow burn and an ending that keeps haunting you.
"Bitter Orange" by Claire Fuller is a haunting and foreboding story narrated by an old, dying woman named Frances. She finds herself entangled with a mysterious couple, Cara and Peter, at the crumbling English countryside mansion, Lyntons. As Frances's hazy memories unfurl, the lies blur with truth, revealing surprising twists and an intriguing mystery. The character development is effective, making the storyline feel authentic, with a lush and evocative writing style that brings the setting alive.
Frances, a socially maladjusted loner, becomes obsessed with Cara and Peter, leading to a heartbreaking and tragic conclusion. The narrative, set in the summer of 1969, slowly builds tension and suspense as Frances, Peter, and Cara explore the secrets of Lyntons. delves into themes of obsession, loneliness, and guilt, with a slow burn thriller style that keeps readers hooked till the end.
They must think I don’t have long left because today they allow the vicar in. Perhaps they are right, although this day feels no different from yesterday, and I imagine tomorrow will go on much the sa...October 2018•330 pages - #3
Save:A slow-burning, emotionally rich exploration of obsession, memory, and Istanbul’s soul - gorgeous but often meandering. Perfect for patient readers who savor detail; challenging for those who crave momentum or a lovable cast.
'The Museum of Innocence' by Orhan Pamuk is a story of obsessive love set in Istanbul in the 1970s. The protagonist, Kemal, is a wealthy man engaged to Sibel, but his life takes a turn when he meets Fusun, a distant relative and shopgirl. The novel delves into Kemal's infatuation and obsession with Fusun, leading to the creation of a museum filled with mementos from their relationship. The writing style is described as clear and simple, painting a vivid picture of Istanbul's bourgeois life and societal norms of that era. The book explores themes of passion, obsession, loss, family dynamics, and cultural change, all through the lens of Kemal's unrequited love.
THE SERIES of events and coincidences that were to change my entire life had begun a month before on April 27, 1975, when Sibel happened to spot a handbag designed by the famous Jenny Colon in a shop...2008•584 pages - #4
Save:Suspenseful, emotionally rich, and utterly absorbing - a must-read thriller for anyone who loves flawed heroes, missing person mysteries, and tense adventures in the wild.
'One Step Too Far' by Lisa Gardner is a gripping mystery novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey into the wilderness. The story follows Frankie Elkin, a flawed but immensely likable character, who joins a search party looking for a groom-to-be who went missing during a camping trip with his friends. As the search intensifies, the group faces danger and uncertainty, leading to a suspenseful and emotional tale filled with twists and turns. Lisa Gardner's writing style creates a claustrophobic atmosphere in the vast outdoors, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
January 2022•467 pages
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Frankie Elkin ) - #5
Save:'Wall of Kiss' by Gina Ranalli is a bizarro novel that delves into the story of an unnamed woman who falls in love with a wall in her living room. The book explores the woman's descent into madness as she forms a complex relationship with the inanimate object, including having physical relations with it. Despite the strange premise, the author skillfully portrays the woman's obsession in a way that feels natural and captivating without giving a voice to the wall, maintaining a sense of detachment that allows the story to succeed.
The plot of 'Wall of Kiss' is not just about a woman falling in love with a wall, but it's also a meditation on a disintegrating relationship where one member is the strong, silent type. The book provides a unique exploration of weird love, obsession, and mental illness, offering a short, sweet, and to-the-point narrative that is both bizarre and astute in its portrayal of the protagonist's emotional and sexual obsessions.
October 2007•108 pages The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce by Paul Torday is a dark and tragic tale of a man named Wilberforce who becomes consumed by his obsession with wine, leading to his downfall and estrangement from society. The story is told in reverse, starting with Wilberforce's excessive wine consumption and loneliness, and gradually revealing the decisions that led him to his current state. Torday's writing style is clear and insightful, offering a unique perspective on addiction and the destructive impact of loneliness.
I stepped out of the taxi too quickly. I rocked back on my heels to slow myself down and found that the best way to maintain my balance was to lean against the side of the taxi and look up. The sky wa...2005•318 pagesAn enchanting, poetic novella that's both strange and beautiful - perfect for fans of literary quirk and those looking to fall in love with haiku.
Bilodo, a lonely postman in Montreal, finds solace in reading and copying the letters of those on his route, particularly those exchanged between Ségolène and Grandpré in the form of haikus. His obsession with Ségolène leads him to assume Grandpré's identity after a tragic event, delving into a bizarre and dark love story. The novella intricately weaves together themes of loneliness, passion, voyeurism, and the beauty of Japanese poetry, using haiku and tanka as both a narrative device and a message. The writing style is described as lyrical, poetic, and enchanting, with a touch of humor and gentle storytelling that immerses readers into a world of obsession and fantasy.
Beech Street, rue des Hêtres, was for the most part lined with maples. Glancing down the road, one saw a double row of four- or five-storey apartment buildings, with outside staircases providing acces...2004•136 pages- #8
Save:Violets by Kyung-Sook Shin is a haunting novel that explores the themes of loneliness and obsession. The protagonist, Oh San, is a young woman who has experienced rejection and lack of love throughout her life, leading to her hesitance to be vulnerable. The story follows her as she navigates through her days working in a flower shop, consumed by an all-consuming obsession with a man she barely knows. The writing style is described as quiet, melancholy, and poetic, with a focus on emotional intensity and sharp imagery that captures the protagonist's internal struggles.
April 2022•222 pages - #9
Save:An atmospheric, meditative novel for patient readers who relish exploring loneliness, identity, and the poetic possibilities of everyday life. Not a page-turner, but a quietly rewarding literary puzzle.
In 'All the Names' by Jose Saramago, the main character, Senhor Jos, works as a clerk at a town registry holding records of mostly dead individuals. A chance misplacement of a death record leads him to develop an obsession for learning more about a dead woman he never knew, sparking a solo investigation into her life and circumstances around her untimely death. Despite the gloomy backdrop of Jos's constrained freedom and powerlessness, the narrative is dry yet thought-provoking, exploring themes of isolation, identity, and the struggle between order and chaos in a bureaucratic world.
1997•257 pages - #10
Save:'Stephen Florida' by Gabe Habash follows the story of a college senior wrestler, Stephen Florida, as he navigates his last shot at winning the championship. The novel delves into Stephen's obsessive and isolating focus on wrestling, exploring themes of loneliness, obsession, and the toll of single-minded ambition. The writing style captures Stephen's internal struggles and intense dedication to his sport, creating a narrative that immerses readers in the world of collegiate wrestling.
MY MOTHER HAD TWO PLACENTAS and I was living off both of them. I was supposed to have a twin. When the doctor yanked me out, he said, “There’s a good chance this child will be quite strong.” This is t...June 2017•304 pages
