Books matching: self destruction
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- #1
Save:Love Me Back by Merritt Tierce is a raw and unflinching novel that follows Marie, a waitress working at an upscale Dallas steakhouse, as she navigates a life filled with self-destruction, promiscuity, drugs, and inner pain. Marie's story delves into the hidden realities of the service industry, showcasing the harsh realism of her struggles and the relentless pursuit of love amidst self-destructive behaviors. The novel is structured around Marie's search for love, devoid of any tidy endings or redemption arcs, offering a character study rather than a plot-driven narrative.
I’m a hard worker, I tell the manager. We are sitting in a booth. His name is Rajiv George and he is short and portly and has kind eyes. He laughs often. Great, he says. In a restaurant that’s really ... - #2
Save:The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian is a riveting literary thriller that follows the story of Cassandra (Cassie) Bowden, a flight attendant who is a functional alcoholic. The plot unfolds as Cassie wakes up in a Dubai hotel room next to a dead man after a night of drinking and partying. As she tries to piece together the events of the previous night, she finds herself entangled in a web of lies, espionage, and danger. The narrative alternates between Cassie's perspective and that of the killer, gradually revealing the complexities of the characters and the intense situations they find themselves in. The writing style captures the reader's attention with its fast-paced plot, flawed yet intriguing characters, and unexpected twists that keep the reader engaged till the end.
She was aware first of the scent of the hotel shampoo, a Middle Eastern aroma reminiscent of anise, and then—when she opened her eyes—the way the light from the window was different from the light in ... - #3
Save:'Silk' by Caitlin R. Kiernan is a dark fantasy novel filled with Lovecraftian inspiration, centered around the interconnected lives of various misfits and outsiders in a small town in the United States. The story revolves around the protagonist, Spyder Baxter, and her house filled with deadly family secrets, blurring the lines between madness and reality. Kiernan's writing style is described as rich, beautiful, and gritty with a touch of romanticism, although her debut novel may have occasional clunkiness. The novel explores themes of madness, Lovecraftian elements, and the thin line between reality and the unseen world.
Two nights before Halloween, as if it matters to anyone in the house, as if every day in this house isn’t Halloween. As if every moment they live isn’t the strain and stretch, the hand reaching back, ... - #4
Save: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... - #5
Save:'The Pisces' by Melissa Broder is a novel that delves into the life of Lucy, a woman struggling with depression and love addiction after a breakup. The story follows Lucy as she housesits for her sister in Venice Beach, attending group therapy and engaging in Tinder hookups while writing her thesis on Sappho. Things take a fantastical turn when Lucy meets a mysterious merman by the ocean, leading to surreal and creative elements of magical realism. The book explores themes of personal responsibility, intellectual ambition, interpersonal relationships, and mental health through the lens of an unlikable yet intriguing protagonist.
The writing style of 'The Pisces' immerses readers in the unhealthy thought processes of the main character, with horrifically unsexy sex scenes and a depiction of depression that is moving and incisive. The novel combines elements of humor, surrealism, and introspection, challenging readers to consider the consequences of self-destructive behavior and the complexities of human desires and relationships.
I was no longer lonely but I was. I had Dominic, my sister’s diabetic foxhound, who followed me from room to room, lumbering onto my lap, unaware of his bulk. I liked the smell of his meaty breath, wh... - #6
Save:'Appointment in Samarra' by John O'Hara is a novel set in a small city in Pennsylvania during the Prohibition era, focusing on the life of Julian English, a wealthy and self-destructive young man. The story follows Julian's downward spiral over three days around Christmas 1930, shedding light on the dissolute upper middle class and their issues with alcoholism, social hypocrisy, and dishonesty. O'Hara's writing style is described as clear, poetic, and full of twists and turns, driving inexorably towards the fatal appointment that Julian seems destined for.
The book explores themes of class, self-destructiveness, inevitability of loss, suffocating social norms, and the intricacies of human relationships during the Jazz Age. O'Hara's storytelling is praised for its brilliance, ironies, and portrayal of characters slipping into inebriated blabbering, providing a pessimistic yet insightful look at the falsehoods of American life in that era.
Our story opens in the mind of Luther L. (L for LeRoy) Fliegler, who is lying in his bed, not thinking of anything, but just aware of sounds, conscious of his own breathing, and sensitive to his own h... - #7Moneyby:
Save:'Money' by Martin Amis is a dark and satirical novel that follows the twisted adventures of John Self, an alcoholic and misogynistic director of commercials in the 1980s. The story delves into themes of excessive indulgence, self-destruction, and the obsession with wealth and materialism. Through a chaotic narrative, the book explores the depraved life of the protagonist as he navigates through the film industry, showcasing the lavish lifestyle, eccentric characters, and ridiculous scenarios in a humorous yet unsettling manner.
The writing style of 'Money' is described as modern, adult, and filled with dazzling prose that captures the reader's attention. Despite the challenging themes of extreme depravity, violence, and self-destructive behavior, the book is commended for its humor, wit, and skillful storytelling. Martin Amis intricately weaves a narrative that is both thought-provoking and entertaining, portraying a vivid and darkly humorous depiction of a society consumed by greed and excess.
as my cab pulled off FDR Drive, somewhere in the early Hundreds, a low-slung Tomahawk full of black guys came sharking out of lane and sloped in fast right across our bows. We banked, and hit a deep w... - #8
Save:Ultraluminous by Katherine Faw is a novel that follows the unnamed narrator, a high-end prostitute who returns to New York City after spending time in Dubai with a bomb maker. The story delves into her encounters with various clients, her drug use, and her reflections on life. The book is structured as a series of vignettes, offering glimpses into her daily life and past experiences, all narrated with a dry, nihilistic, and darkly funny prose style.
The narrative of Ultraluminous is centered around themes of capitalism, toxic masculinity, power dynamics between men and women, and the emptiness that can come with a life devoid of true connection. Through a unique structure of brief vignettes, the book explores the protagonist's relationships with her clients, her struggles with addiction, and her search for meaning amidst a world of extravagance and destruction.
Every girl at the gym has a tattoo but very few have fake boobs. The girl beside me has a big circle on her back. In the middle it says TODAY. It looks drawn by a child or mental patient. I wait until... - #9
Save:Luster by Raven Leilani is a novel that delves into the complex relationships and messy realities of life, particularly focusing on the protagonist, Edie, a 23-year-old black woman. The story follows Edie as she becomes involved with a 46-year-old white man named Eric, who has an open marriage with Rebecca, a doctor dealing with autopsies. As Edie moves in with them, the dynamics of their relationships unfold, exploring themes of race, sex, isolation, and self-discovery. The narrative is described as a mix of dark humor, raw emotions, and compelling storytelling, capturing the struggles and growth of the characters amidst their unconventional circumstances.
The writing style of Luster is praised for its brutal beauty and unique voice, offering a blend of witty narration, dark humor, and poignant observations. Through Edie's perspective, the novel explores themes of creation, identity, and the complexities of human relationships, presenting a narrative that is both compelling and thought-provoking. The book navigates through Edie's journey of self-discovery, her interactions with Eric, Rebecca, and their adopted daughter Akila, and the various challenges she faces in her pursuit of purpose and connection.
The first time we have sex, we are both fully clothed, at our desks during working hours, bathed in blue computer light. He is uptown processing a new bundle of microfiche and I am downtown handling c... - #10
Save:You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat is a novel that delves into the life of an unnamed bisexual Palestinian American woman who grapples with love addiction, mental health struggles, an emotionally abusive mother, and the clash of her cultural upbringing. The narrative flows in a non-linear structure, offering glimpses into the protagonist's chaotic life through flashbacks to her childhood in the Middle East. As the protagonist navigates through self-destructive behaviors, the reader follows her journey of self-exploration, self-reflection, and a quest for self-improvement amidst a backdrop of emotional turmoil and cultural identity crisis.
I WOKE UP ALONE ONE MORNING WHEN I WAS TWENTY-SIX. Anna had left for the day. Her side was already made, to the extent that half a bed can be: the comforter pulled up over her pillow, sheets crumpled ...
