Look Homeward, Angel is a novel written by Thomas Wolfe and published in 1929. It is a coming-of-age story that follows the protagonist, Eugene Gant, as he grows up in the fictional town of Altamont, North Carolina, during the early 20th century. The novel explores Eugene’s tumultuous upbringing in a dysfunctional family. His father, Oliver, is a restless and ambitious stonecutter, while his mother, Eliza, is a controlling and domineering woman. Eugene’s siblings and extended family members also contribute to...
China Mountain Zhang is a science fiction novel written by Maureen McHugh and published in 1992. Set in a future where China has become the dominant global superpower. The world is one where social and technological advancements have shaped a new society. The novel follows the life of Zhang Zhong Shan, a young man living in New York City. Chinese culture now influences most aspects of life. Zhang is a construction worker with a Chinese heritage who struggles with his...
All I Asking for Is My Body is a novel written by Milton Murayama and published in 1975. Set in early 20th-century Hawaii, the novel follows the life of Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi is a young Japanese-American boy growing up in a plantation community. Murayama’s novel explores the struggles of the Japanese immigrant community in Hawaii during a time of social and economic inequality. Kiyoshi comes from a poor family. They face discrimination and prejudice from both the white plantation owners and...
What would any of our high school educations be without Mr. Vonnegut, a ubiquitous favorite among our English teachers. Breakfast of Champions is set in the fictional town of Midland City. It’s where Dwayne Hoover’s life begins to unravel as he becomes increasingly unstable and delusional. Kilgore Trout, unaware of his importance to Dwayne’s situation, arrives in the same city. He’s there for an arts festival. Vonnegut explores a wide range of themes, including free will, mental illness, capitalism, and...
“The Purloined Letter” begins with Dupin’s friend, the narrator, visiting him at his home. The Prefect of the Parisian police interrupts the investigation. The Prefect seeks Dupin’s assistance in locating a stolen letter. He informs Dupin that the letter contains sensitive information. And potentially has blackmail material against a prominent societal figure. The Prefect explains that the letter was stolen by Minister D—, who concealed it in plain sight. Minister D– placed it among his correspondence. Despite conducting thorough searches,...
The Colossus of Maroussi is a travel memoir written by American author Henry Miller and published in 1941. The book chronicles Miller’s experiences traveling through Greece in the late 1930s and his encounters with various people. At its core, The Colossus of Maroussi is a personal exploration of Miller’s deep appreciation for Greece and its people. The narrative is a blend of vivid descriptions, philosophical reflections, and poetic musings. Miller immerses himself in the Greek way of life and the...
A Contest for Supremacy examines the socioeconomic forces at play in US-China relations. I do not share the author’s conclusion, but it’s an engaging book. According to Friedberg, despite its impressive size and population, economic vitality, and drive to upgrade its military, China remains a vulnerable nation surrounded by powerful rivals and potential foes. Understanding China’s foreign policy means fully appreciating these geostrategic challenges, which persist even as the country gains increasing influence over its neighbors. Andrew J. Nathan and...
“The Great Wall of China” is a short story written by Franz Kafka. It is a fictional account that explores the construction and purpose of the Great Wall, employing allegory and philosophical themes. The story presents a first-person narrative of an unnamed narrator who joins the labor force building the Great Wall. The narrator describes the immense scale of the project, highlighting the effort and resources required to build such a colossus. As the story progresses, the narrator delves into...
“The Royal Game,” also known as “Chess Story,” is a novella written by Stefan Zweig. It tells the story of Mirko Czentovic, an uneducated but exceptionally talented chess player. Czentovic becomes the focus of a psychological battle during a transatlantic voyage. The narrative begins with the introduction of Dr. B., a wealthy Austrian who is traveling on a cruise ship. Dr. B. is a chess enthusiast and becomes intrigued when he learns that Czentovic is also on board. Czentovic is...
Desert Queen: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell is a biography written by Janet Wallach that explores the remarkable life of Gertrude Bell. She was an influential British traveler, writer, archaeologist, and political figure of the early 20th century. The book provides a comprehensive account of Bell’s life, beginning with her privileged upbringing in a wealthy British family. It follows her journey as she defied societal expectations for women at the time. Bell went on extensive travels and explored the...
Hunter S Thompson wrote Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas in 1971. It is a semi-autobiographical account of a drug-fueled journey through Las Vegas by the narrator, Raoul Duke. His attorney, Dr. Gonzo, joins him for the ride. The story follows Duke and Dr. Gonzo as they travel to Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race. However, their trip quickly descends into a chaotic and hallucinatory adventure fueled by drugs, alcohol, and reckless behavior. Throughout the novel, Thompson explores the...
Leo Tolstoy wrote and published the novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich in 1886. It tells the story of Ivan Ilyich, a high-ranking Russian bureaucrat, and his gradual realization of his own mortality as he faces a terminal illness. The novella begins with the news of Ivan Ilyich’s death, which prompts his colleagues to reflect on their own mortality briefly before resuming their daily lives. The narrative then shifts back in time to explore Ivan Ilyich’s life and the events...
Report from the Interior is Paul Auster’s memoir and it’s divided into four distinct sections. The first section focuses on Auster’s childhood and early adolescence, recounting his experiences growing up in post-World War II America. He reflects on his move at the age of four into his first house. He recounts his fascination with comic books, movies, and literature, discussing how these cultural artifacts shaped his understanding of the world and influenced his development as a writer. Grass and trees,...
Man Walks Into a Room is a novel written by Nicole Krauss and published in 2002. The story centers around Samson Greene. Greene is a professor of cognitive science who discovers that he has lost all memory. All memories of the first 24 years of his life–due to a brain tumor. The novel follows Samson’s struggle to come to terms with his memory loss and to reconstruct his identity. As he grapples with the gaps in his past, he embarks...
Kobo Abe wrote and published The Ruined Map in 1967. Set in Tokyo, the story follows a private detective named Mr. Nemuro. Takahashi seeks Nemuro’s help in finding his missing brother-in-law, Katsumi, who disappeared after his wife’s murder. Takahashi is desperate to uncover the truth behind the events and wants Nemuro to unravel the mystery surrounding Katsumi’s disappearance. As Nemuro delves into the investigation, he becomes increasingly entangled in a web of mystery and confusion. The novel explores themes of...
Lise begins her final journey not with a whimper, but with the jarring visual discord of a dress—a lemon-yellow skirt paired with a bodice of violent, unnatural pink. In the sterile, fluorescent-lit boutiques of her unnamed northern city (could be in Scotland, where Spark is from?), she rejects the tasteful and the subdued, opting instead for a costume that ensures she cannot be missed. There is a brittle, porcelain quality to her composure, an existential restlessness that Muriel Spark renders...
Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out is a novel by Mo Yan published in 2006. The story spans several decades of Chinese history, following the protagonist, Ximen Nao, through his various lives and reincarnations. The novel begins during the land reforms of the 1950s, where Ximen Nao, a wealthy landowner, is executed. However, instead of moving on to the afterlife, Ximen Nao is reincarnated as different animals over several decades. Each reincarnation takes place during a significant period in...
Set in apartheid-era South Africa, the story revolves around a wealthy white businessman named Mehring who acquires a farm in the countryside. Mehring acquires a farm called Trekkersburg. Through Mehring’s perspective, Nadine Gordimer explores the dichotomy between the black majority who work the land and the white minority who hold power. Mehring’s attempts to assert control over the land and its people reflect the broader dynamics of white privilege. The exploitation of black labor during the apartheid era is naturally...
Le Grand Meaulnes revolves around Augustin Meaulnes, a young man from a rural background who arrives at a boarding school in the village of Sainte-Agathe. Meaulnes befriends a fellow student named François Seurel, who also serves as the narrator of the story. One day, Meaulnes goes on an adventurous journey and stumbles upon an estate known as the Domaine de la Sablière. A grand wedding celebration is taking place. He becomes captivated by the festivities and falls in love with...
Walter Mosley wrote and published Devil in a Blue Dress in 1990. It is the first book in the Easy Rawlins noir detective series. Set in Los Angeles in the 1940s, the story revolves around the protagonist, Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins, as he becomes entangled in a web of crime and corruption. The novel begins with Easy Rawlins, a Black American World War II veteran, who is recently laid off from work. Desperate for money to pay his mortgage, he accepts...
The Rider is a memoir written by Dutch author Tim Krabbé and originally published in 1978. It recounts the author’s personal experience of participating in a cycling race called the Tour de Mont Aigoual. The book takes readers on a journey through the mind of a cyclist as Krabbé narrates his own race experience. He provides a detailed and introspective account of the physical and mental challenges faced during the grueling competition. Krabbé’s writing captures the essence of endurance sports....
The Lemon Table is a collection of short stories written by Julian Barnes and published in 2004. The book explores themes of aging, mortality, and the complexities of human relationships through a series of interconnected narratives. The stories in The Lemon Table revolve around characters who are either facing the challenges of old age or grappling with the loss of loved ones. Barnes delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of aging, examining the fears, regrets, and reflections that come...
Persepolis is an autobiographical graphic novel written by Marjane Satrapi and published in 2000. It’s about the author’s childhood and adolescence in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and the subsequent Iran-Iraq War. The book begins with Marjane as a young girl growing up in Tehran. She witnesses the cultural and political changes brought about by the Iranian Revolution. Through her eyes, readers witness the imposition of strict Islamic rules and the effects of war on everyday life. As Marjane navigates...
Cormac McCarthy published Blood Meridian in 1985. Set in the mid-19th century, the story follows a runaway known as “the Kid” who joins a band of ruthless scalp hunters. The narrative centers around the Kid’s experiences with the gang, led by the enigmatic and brutal Judge Holden. As they venture into the lawless violent frontier they take part in relentless acts of violence. They engage in massacres, scalping, and other atrocities committed against Native Americans and Mexican settlers. Blood Meridian...
Hunger is a novel written by Norwegian author Knut Hamsun and published in 1890. It follows the story of an unnamed protagonist, a struggling writer living in the city of Kristiania (now Oslo). He is the epitome of the starving artist. The novel is a psychological exploration of the protagonist’s descent into physical and mental deprivation. He wanders the streets, desperately searching for food and work. He becomes consumed by his hunger and the constant struggle to survive. The narrative...
The Martian Chronicles is a collection of interrelated science fiction short stories written by Ray Bradbury and published in 1950. The book presents a series of loosely connected narratives that depict humanity’s colonization and exploration of Mars, as well as the complex interactions between humans and the native Martians. The stories in The Martian Chronicles span a wide range of themes and periods, creating a tapestry of Martian history. Bradbury explores topics such as the allure of space exploration, the...
The Poems of Philip Larkin show him to be one known for his introspective and often pessimistic view of the world. Here is a summary of some of his notable poems: “Be the Verse” Larkin’s most famous and controversial poem. It reflects on the negative impact of family and inheritance on individuals. The poem emphasizes the perpetuation of unhappiness and disappointment across generations. They fuck you up, your mum and dad. They may not mean to, but they do. They...
Vladimir Nabokov wrote and published Laughter in the Dark in 1932. The story follows the life of Albinus, a middle-aged art critic who becomes infatuated with a young aspiring actress, Margot. Albinus, a respected and affluent man, leaves his wife and enters into a passionate affair with Margot. However, as their relationship unfolds, Albinus becomes increasingly blind to Margot’s true character. Margot manipulates and deceives him. She uses him for her gain and to pursue her ambitions in the world...
The narrative of The Sense of an Ending unfolds in two parts. The first part focuses on Tony’s youth and his friendships with a group of intellectual classmates. His close friend Adrian Finn is of particular interest in the plot. The second part takes place in Tony’s later life as he receives an unexpected bequest. It forces him to reevaluate his understanding of the past. As Tony delves into his memories, he confronts the fallibility of memory itself and the...
Death in Venice is a novella written by Thomas Mann. Set in the early 20th century, it tells the story of Gustav von Aschenbach. Aschenbach is a renowned and disciplined writer who travels to Venice in search of inspiration and a change of scenery. However, his visit becomes an introspective journey into his desires and the exploration of beauty, decay, and mortality. Aschenbach becomes captivated by the beauty of a young Polish boy named Tadzio, who embodies the ideal of...