Books matching: realist novel
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- #1
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is a haunting and beautifully written novel that delves into the descent of Esther Greenwood into madness and depression. The story follows Esther, a young woman with a bright future, as she struggles with her mental health, ends up in a psychiatric ward after a suicide attempt, and navigates her way back to normalcy. Plath's writing style is described as poetic, vivid, and sparse, perfectly capturing the delicate yet powerful essence of the subject matter.
The book provides a raw and honest portrayal of depression, mental illness, and the societal pressures faced by women in the 1950s America. Plath's storytelling is poignant, dark, and at times morbidly funny, offering a deep insight into Esther's internal struggles and the challenges she encounters on her journey towards self-discovery and recovery.
It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I didn’t know what I was doing in New York. I’m stupid about executions. The idea of being electrocuted makes me sick, a... - #2
"My Side of the Mountain" is a classic novel by Jean Craighead George that tells the story of Sam Gribley, a young boy who runs away from his crowded city life to live in the wilderness of the Catskill Mountains. Sam learns to survive on his own, befriends a falcon named Frightful, and explores the challenges and rewards of living off the land. The book captures Sam's journey of self-sufficiency, connection with nature, and the importance of human companionship, all while showcasing themes of survival, independence, and adventure.
The plot unfolds as Sam navigates the harsh winter, builds a home in a tree, and learns valuable skills for survival, such as hunting for food and making tools. The writing style of the book is engaging and thought-provoking, with vivid descriptions of Sam's experiences in the wilderness, his interactions with animals, and his personal growth throughout the story. Readers are taken on a captivating journey alongside Sam as he discovers the beauty and challenges of living in harmony with nature.
I had been working since May, learning how to make a fire with flint and steel, finding what plants I could eat, how to trap animals and catch fish—all this so that when the curtain of blizzard struck... - #3
Told from the point of view of the horse known as Black Beauty, this is the tale of his life the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Set in 19th century England, Beauty goes through myriad owners and names, meeting and befriending other horses along the way. While living at Squire Gordon's country estate, the spirited young horse, Black Beauty, is well taken care of and happy. But when the squire is forced to sell off his horses, Black Beauty's life changes as he is passed from one cruel master to another. After much hardship and perseverance, Black Beauty finds a home full of love and kindness.
The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned over it, and rushes and water-lilies grew at the deep end. Over the hedge... - #4
Shane, a young college student, embarks on a study abroad program in London in hopes of reinventing herself and finding new experiences. The first half of the book portrays a typical YA rom com with a shy protagonist determined to break out of her shell, while the second half takes a surprising turn into magical realism. The story explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the impact of pivotal life choices on one's future.
That’s what it comes down to. People can continue along most paths, however unpleasant, if they have at least one good friend with them. Not having one has forced me to consider my path-changing optio... - #5
'Only Mostly Devastated' by Sophie Gonzales is a heartwarming YA novel that follows the summer romance between Oliver and Will, set in North Carolina. The book beautifully explores themes of love, grief, friendship, and self-discovery, all while navigating the complexities of high school life. With a diverse cast of characters and a realistic portrayal of teenage struggles, the story delves into the challenges of coming out, dealing with illness, and finding oneself amidst peer pressure and societal expectations. The writing style is engaging, blending light-hearted moments with deeper themes, making it a compelling read that resonates with readers.
Like, okay. Yes, if I sent another it’d be three in a row. Yes that was semi-stalker level. But I could rationalize this. The first message he’d ignored was in response to his own text on Saturday nig... - #6
White Fang by Jack London is a gripping tale that follows the life of White Fang, a dog and wolf mix, as he transitions from the wild to domestication. The story delves into White Fang's struggles, sufferings, and eventual redemption as he finds a master who shows him love and kindness. London's writing style vividly portrays the harsh wilderness of the Yukon and intricately explores the inner workings of the canine mind through White Fang's perspective.
Dark spruce forest frowned on either side the frozen waterway. The trees had been stripped by a recent wind of their white covering of frost, and they seemed to lean toward each other, black and omino... - #7
"With the Fire on High" by Elizabeth Acevedo follows the story of Emoni Santiago, a high school senior and young mother with a passion for cooking. The book delves into Emoni's struggles as she navigates motherhood, school, work, and relationships, all while trying to pursue her dream of becoming a chef. The writing style is described as vivid, engaging, and filled with realistic characters and honest growth, providing a glimpse into Emoni's world as she faces challenges and discovers her talents and opportunities.
She seems unfazed by my apology, probably because thing (1) I’m not braiding tight enough to actually hurt her (which is why her hair is all loosey-lopsided!), and thing (2) Babygirl is watching Moana... - #8
"On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas follows the story of Bri, a 16-year-old aspiring rapper trying to make a name for herself in the hip hop world while facing the challenges of being a black teenager in a society divided by privilege. The novel explores themes of family struggles, identity obstacles, poverty, injustice, and the power of finding one's voice amidst societal pressures and expectations. Angie Thomas's writing style is praised for its authenticity, complex characters, and engaging storytelling that delves into the realities of contemporary issues faced by young adults.
It could be somebody I know. It could be a stranger. It could be somebody who’s never battled before. It could be somebody who’s a pro at it. It doesn’t matter how many punch lines they spit or how ni... - #9
A Man Called Ove is a heartwarming story about a grumpy old man, Ove, who is grieving the death of his wife and contemplating suicide. However, his plans are constantly interrupted by new neighbors and various situations that force him to interact with the world around him. The book delves into Ove's past, revealing the reasons behind his grumpiness and showcasing his transformation as he forms unexpected connections with those around him. The writing style is described as charming, sweet, and humorous, with a balance between touching moments and light-hearted humor.
He drives a Saab. He’s the kind of man who points at people he doesn’t like the look of, as if they were burglars and his forefinger a policeman’s flashlight. He stands at the counter of a shop where ... - #10
Birdie Lindberg and Daniel Aoki unknowingly meet at the Moonlight Diner, Birdie's home away from home. The endless hashbrowns and cutely named pies are something that would be worth checking out if it were a real place in Seattle. A bit embarrassed, Birdie is later stunned to discover Daniel also works overnight at the hotel where she has found a job for the summer. Birdie loves mysteries, and one of the best parts of the book were all the great epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter. Many favorite detectives and books are represented, including some talking about you, Amelia Peabody that I still want to read. This was fun, but serious fun, as it touched on several very sobering issues for both the main characters. It was nice to see them grow and learn to trust one another, all while channeling Nick and Nora around the hotel.
While working in a downtown Seattle hotel, Birdie meets Daniel with whom she had a one afternoon stand in the back of his car. After she gets over her embarrassment of running away afterwards, Daniel provides her with an opportunity to solve a mystery, which is her passion. As they work to find out why reclusive author Raymond Darke has been coming to their hotel on the same night and at the same time each week, Birdie and Daniel begin a tentative friendship. However, both have lots of physical and emotional baggage that make their new relationship a challenge. The title, Serious Moonlight, comes from Daniel's love of David Bowie. The first half of this book is a bit slow because so much time is taken introducing the characters and their personalities without really moving the plot forward. The pace of the story picks up, though, about midway through the book when Birdie and Daniel finally realize that their relationship is more than just friendship. The mystery that Birdie and Daniel have been trying to solve comes to a very abrupt end with a whale of a twist as the issues that they have been avoiding come to a head. Overall, this is a good romance with a unique mystery for the characters to solve.
He definitely wasn’t here tonight. Just to be sure, I scanned the diner one more time, from the rain-speckled glass door to the PIE OF THE DAY chalkboard sign near the register, where the owner had ca...