Books matching: surreal elements
100 result(s)
- #1
Save:'Aberystwyth Mon Amour' by Malcolm Pryce is a humorous and entertaining spoof of hard-boiled detective stories, set in a parallel universe where Wales is run by a mafia of Druids. The story follows private detective Louie Knight as he investigates the disappearance of a schoolboy in the mean streets of Aberystwyth, encountering strange characters, surreal events, and dark humor along the way. The book is written in a 'noir' style, blending PI investigations, dames, murder, and mayhem with witty and dark humor, creating a unique and engaging narrative that pays homage to the detective genre.
The novel is set in a fictional version of Aberystwyth that is both familiar and fantastical, filled with references to Welsh culture and landmarks. The plot unfolds rapidly, keeping readers engaged with a mix of humor, mystery, and clever storytelling. Pryce's writing style combines elements of Raymond Chandler and Dylan Thomas, creating a rich and fantastical mythology within the familiar setting of Aberystwyth, making the book a clever and enjoyable read for fans of detective fiction and Welsh culture alike.
THE THING I remember most about it was walking the entire length of the Prom that morning and not seeing a Druid. Normally when I made my stroll shortly before 9am I would see a few hanging around at ... - #2
Save:The Death of Bunny Munro by Nick Cave is a dark and disturbing novel that follows the unraveling journey of Bunny Munro, a sleazy and troubled traveling salesman of beauty products who is haunted by the suicide of his wife, Libby. As Bunny travels with his young son, Bunny Jr., he begins to believe that Libby's spirit is haunting them, leading to a story that is funny, tragic, and transcendent. The book delves into themes of addiction, grief, self-destruction, and redemption, with a writing style that is described as thrilling, inventive, and clever.
‘I am damned,’ thinks Bunny Munro in a sudden moment of self-awareness reserved for those who are soon to die. He feels that somewhere down the line he has made a grave mistake, but this realisation p... - #3
Save:'The Getaway' by Jim Thompson follows the story of Doc McCoy and his wife, Carol, as they attempt to escape after a bank robbery goes awry. The narrative explores themes of desperation, betrayal, and violence as the couple navigates a dangerous journey to evade the law and their criminal associates. The writing style is described as dark, unglamorous, and deeply nihilistic, portraying a gritty and realistic depiction of crime and its consequences.
Carter "Doc" McCoy had left a morning call for six o'clock, and he was reaching for the telephone the moment the night clerk rang. He had always awakened easily and pleasantly; a man with not a regret... - #4
Save:"My Cat Yugoslavia" by Pajtim Statovci is a novel that alternates between the storylines of Emine, a young Muslim girl in Yugoslavia, and her son Bekim, a young gay man living in Finland. Emine's narrative focuses on her life, marriage, and struggles, while Bekim's narrative delves into his experiences as an immigrant and a gay man, with surreal elements like a talking cat and a pet boa constrictor. The book explores themes of isolation, hardship, cultural differences, and self-discovery through the lives of the two protagonists.
0:01 blackhetero-helsinki: anyone up for some fun and games??????? 0:01 Chubby-Sub28: mature dom—wanna chat dirty? 0:01 sneakerboy-jyväskylä*: … 0:02 OuluTop_tomorrow: skinny guy for meet? 0:02 Kalle4... - #5
Save:'Outside the Dog Museum' by Jonathan Carroll is a book that weaves a convoluted narrative around unsympathetic characters and seemingly no plot, leaving readers wondering about the purpose of the story. Despite the odd and thin plot, the book incorporates magical realism elements and satirizes the 1980s culture, centering around an architect named Harry Radcliffe who is given the strange task of building a Dog Museum for the Sultan of Saru. The story follows the conflicts between the Sultan and his brother, as well as the dynamics between Harry and the two women in his life, Fanny and Claire.
The book is described as a typical slightly strange and wonderful tale from Jonathan Carroll, known for his mischievous way of introducing surreal elements into his stories unexpectedly. The writing style is noted for its ability to keep readers engaged with colorful characters, sprinklings of German words, and noteworthy quotes that add depth to the narrative.
I’D JUST BITTEN THE hand that fed me when God called, again. Shaking her left hand, Claire picked up the receiver with her right. After asking who it was, she held it out to me, rolling her eyes. “It’...
(Also, see 23 recommendations for the series Answered Prayers ) In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods by Matt Bell is a dark and surreal novel that explores themes of marriage, parenthood, creation, and loss through a twisted fairy tale-like narrative. The story follows a nameless couple who leave their families to create a home in a quiet land, where they struggle with failed pregnancies, magical powers, and haunting memories. The writing style is described as lyrical, descriptive, and disturbing, evoking a dream-like quality that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.
In the hasty days that followed, I feared we moved in too fast and too early, the house’s furnishings still incomplete, the doors not all right-hinged—and in response to my worries my wife said that w...- #7
Save:'Duplex' by Kathryn Davis is a surreal and whimsical novel that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. Set in a suburban street with a mix of ordinary and fantastical elements, the story follows characters living in a dreamscape where robots, sorcerers, and mysterious occurrences coexist with everyday life. The plot is described as fractured and nonlinear, with time shifts and dream logic connecting the characters in a series of vignettes that explore themes of mistreatment, escape, and transformation.
IT WAS A SUBURBAN STREET, ONE BLOCK LONG, THE houses made of brick and built to last like the third little pig’s. Sycamore trees had been planted at regular intervals along the curb and the curbs them... - #8
Save:'The Beautiful Bureaucrat' by Helen Phillips is a surreal novel that follows Josephine, a woman who starts a new job in a faceless corporation, processing paperwork with ominous undertones. As she delves deeper into her job, strange events unfold, leading to a haunting truth about her work. The story blends elements of existential thriller, dystopian sci-fi, and moral fable, creating a dreamlike narrative that explores themes of bureaucracy, identity, and the dehumanization of society.
The writing style in 'The Beautiful Bureaucrat' is described as eerie and strange, with jarring wordplay and vivid imagery that lingers in the mind. The book is likened to works of Kafka and Orwell, with a contemporary twist that delves into the anxieties and uncertainties of modern life. The narrative unfolds in a cyclical and paranoid manner, leaving the reader with a sense of impending doom and a surreal trip through the protagonist's mind.
The person who interviewed her had no face. Under other circumstances—if the job market hadn’t been so bleak for so long, if the summer hadn’t been so glum and muggy—this might have discouraged Joseph... - #9
Save:'The Labyrinth' by Catherynne M. Valente is a surreal and poetic tale that follows a girl trapped in a labyrinth, struggling with madness as she navigates through various tasks and encounters strange creatures in her quest to escape. The writing style is described as beautiful, artistic, and wonderfully abstract, with strong imagery and contrasting elements used to convey the vision of the labyrinth and its inhabitants. The plot is secondary to the storytelling, with the book delving into the protagonist's journey through madness, surrealism, and cyclical quests.
Up or down, I could not say, I could not say. I ate the severed halves of a Compass Rose seven-hundred-and-negative-eight miles back, covering the yellow red meat with lime skins and choking it down. ... - #10
Save:The short story anthology 'The Elephant Vanishes' by Haruki Murakami presents a collection of stories where ordinary lives are disrupted by extraordinary events. From a man whose favorite elephant disappears into thin air to a woman experiencing moments of horror in her sleep, the narratives delve into the bizarre and unsettling. Murakami's writing style intricately weaves together elements of surrealism, dark humor, and profound character exploration, creating a world where the line between reality and the supernatural is blurred.
The stories in 'The Elephant Vanishes' offer a glimpse into the complexities of human psyche, exploring themes of loneliness, existential dread, and the impact of subtle changes in the world around us. Murakami's masterful storytelling draws readers into a realm where the mundane is intertwined with the extraordinary, leaving a lasting impression with haunting and unforgettable narratives.
I’M IN THE KITCHEN cooking spaghetti when the woman calls. Another moment until the spaghetti is done; there I am, whistling the prelude to Rossini’s La Gazza Ladra along with the FM radio. Perfect sp...
