Books matching: surreal city setting
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- #1
Save:The Doomed City by Boris Strugatsky, Arkady & Boris Strugatsky is a powerful and prophetic novel set in a mysterious Experiment that critiques the Soviet Union. The story follows protagonist Andrei Voronin as he navigates through various roles in a world filled with lying, corruption, and censorship, reflecting the harsh realities of the Soviet regime. The narrative delves into philosophical questions about communism, authoritarianism, human nature, and the purpose of life, all within a surreal and allegorical setting.
The trash cans were rusty and battered, and the lids had come loose, so there were scraps of newspaper poking up from under them and potato peels dangling down. They were like the bills of slovenly pe... - #2
Save:'The Arrival' by Shaun Tan is a wordless graphic novel that intricately portrays the immigrant experience through stunning illustrations. It follows the journey of a man leaving his family behind to start a new life in a strange land, navigating through unfamiliar customs, languages, and creatures. Through a series of surreal and poignant images, the book captures the emotional struggles and triumphs of immigrants seeking a better life in a foreign land.
The narrative unfolds through a scrapbook-like format, blending elements of fantasy and history to create a unique and immersive storytelling experience. Readers are taken on a visual journey filled with symbolic representations of the challenges faced by immigrants, such as adapting to new environments, overcoming language barriers, and finding hope and connection amidst adversity. 'The Arrival' is a powerful and universal story that resonates with readers of all ages, inviting them to reflect on themes of home, displacement, and the resilience of the human spirit.
- #3
Save:'The Etched City' by K.J. Bishop is a dark fantasy novel that follows the journey of two former revolutionaries, Gwynn and Raule, as they escape a failed rebellion in the Copper Country and make their way to the city of Ashamoil. In this phantasmagoric city, the two characters embark on separate paths - Gwynn becomes an enforcer for a criminal gang while Raule works as a healer for the poor in the slums. The book weaves a complex and dark narrative, exploring themes of art, religion, crime, and the fantastical, creating a world where beauty and horror coexist.
The writing style of 'The Etched City' is described as baroque, extravagantly descriptive, and wonderfully imagined, with elements of magic realism and surrealism. The novel features compelling characters moving through a possibly post-apocalyptic world that is both familiar and dreamlike, offering a mix of action, introspection, and fantastical elements that keep readers engaged throughout.
There were no milestones in the Copper Country. Often a traveller could only measure the progress of a journey by the time it took to get from each spoiled or broken thing to the next: a half day’s wa... - #4
Save:Bend Sinister by Vladimir Nabokov is a political satire set in a fictitious European city called Padukgrad, where a new dictatorship led by Paduk, a former classmate of the protagonist Adam Krug, imposes a philosophy of Ekwilism that aims to eradicate individuality. Krug, a renowned philosopher, refuses to endorse the regime, leading to a series of events where his friends and family become pawns in Paduk's quest for validation. The novel explores themes of totalitarianism, friendship, and the moral dilemmas faced by Krug, all presented in Nabokov's unique and engaging writing style filled with wordplay, humor, and metafictional elements.
AN OBLONG PUDDLE inset in the coarse asphalt; like a fancy footprint filled to the brim with quicksilver; like a spatulate hole through which you can see the nether sky. Surrounded. I note, by a diffu... - #5
Save:The Erasers by Alain Robbe-Grillet is a complex and convoluted novel that follows the main character, special agent Wallas, as he navigates a city filled with ugliness and unattractiveness. The book is described as a detective story that requires careful reading to uncover all the clues and intricacies of the plot. The writing style is unique and captivating, drawing readers in with its unusual approach and attention to detail.
He has no need to see distinctly, he does not even know what he is doing. He is still asleep. Very ancient laws rule every detail of his gestures, saved for once from the uncertainty of human intentio... - #6
Save:The Doll's Alphabet by Camilla Grudova is a collection of short stories that delve into unsettling and bizarre themes, often described as a blend of weird fiction and horror. The stories feature recurring motifs such as sewing machines, dolls, tinned food, and dark, disturbing visions that leave a lasting impact on the reader. Grudova's writing style has been compared to the likes of Franz Kafka, Angela Carter, and David Lynch, creating a unique and eerie atmosphere that lingers long after the book is finished.
Our apartment always looked like Christmas because the shelves were laden with red and green Loeb books in Greek and Latin. Peter’s uncle gave him one every year for his birthday, and we had bought mo... The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman by Angela Carter is a surreal and dense novel that explores the concept of a war against reality. The story follows a bureaucrat named Desiderio who gets involved in a city where reality is in flux due to the machinations of Dr. Hoffman. The book delves into bizarre and meandering narratives, filled with illusions and deep mysteries, as Desiderio embarks on a journey that takes him through circuses, pleasure houses, and strange fantasy lands.
I cannot remember exactly how it began. Nobody, not even the Minister, could remember. But I know it started well after my abysmal childhood was mercifully over. The nuns who buried my mother fixed me...
