Dave Ross

All posts tagged with fiction

Page 5 of 7

The Dead (James Joyce)

“The Dead” is a short story written by James Joyce in 1914 as the final story in his collection Dubliners. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest short stories in the English language. Set in early 20th-century Dublin during a Christmas party, the story explores themes of mortality, memory, and the complexities of human relationships. The narrative centers around Gabriel Conroy, a university professor, and his wife, Gretta. The story unfolds as they attend an annual gathering hosted...

Read more →

The Sun Also Rises (Ernest Hemingway)

Jake Barnes, a journalist and World War I veteran narrates The Sun Also Rises . He is impotent due to a war injury. Jake is in love with Lady Brett Ashley, a beautiful and independent woman. Ashley and Robert Cohn (writer and former amateur boxer) are in a tumultuous relationship. The characters are part of a circle of expats living in Paris. They seek to escape the emptiness and disillusionment of post-war society. The group travels to Pamplona for the...

Read more →

Narcissus and Goldmund (Hermann Hesse)

Set in medieval Germany Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse revolves around the complex and transformative friendship between two contrasting characters. Narcissus, an intellectual and monk, and Goldmund, a restless and artistic wanderer. The novel begins with Goldmund. Raised in a monastery, Goldmund yearns for a passionate existence beyond the confines of religious life. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery. He leaves the monastery to explore the world and indulges in various carnal and artistic experiences. Throughout his travels,...

Read more →

Trainspotting (Irvine Welsh)

The narrative of the novel Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh is presented through a series of interconnected short stories, each focusing on different characters within the group. The central character is Mark Renton, a young man caught in the grip of heroin addiction. The novel delves into Renton’s experiences, his attempts at quitting drugs, and the cyclical nature of addiction and relapse. Renton’s friends, including the hot-tempered and unpredictable Francis Begbie. The affable and naive Spud. The ambitious Sick Boy. And...

Read more →

Kindred (Octavia Butler)

Kindred by Octavia Butler begins with Dana, a young Black American, and her white husband, Kevin, moving into their new home. Suddenly, Dana is yanked back in time to a Maryland plantation in the early 19th century. She finds herself in the presence of Rufus Weylin, a white plantation owner’s son, who is in danger of drowning. Dana quickly realizes that she has been brought back in time whenever Rufus’s life is at risk. Her survival is tied to his....

Read more →

Fox 8 (George Saunders)

Fox 8 is a novella written by George Saunders and published in 2013. It tells the story of Fox8, a clever and curious fox living in a suburban landscape impacted by human development. The novella is narrated from Fox 8’s perspective. His unique voice and broken English add a distinct charm to the story. Or a lady drops her purse and bends to retreev her guds, when sudden lee her hat blows away, at which time, speeking a bad werd,...

Read more →

Zero K (Don DeLillo)

In Zero K , Jeffrey Lockhart’s father, Ross, is a billionaire in his sixties, with a younger wife, Artis Martineau. Her health is failing. Ross is the primary investor in a remote and secret compound where death is exquisitely controlled. Bodies are preserved until a future time when biomedical advances and new technologies can return them to life. Jeff joins Ross and Artis at the compound to say “an uncertain farewell” to her as she surrenders her body. These are...

Read more →

Heart of Darkness (Joseph Conrad)

Heart of Darkness is a novella written by Joseph Conrad and published in 1899. The story follows Charles Marlow, a sailor and narrator, as he recounts his journey into the heart of Africa to find the enigmatic ivory trader Kurtz. Marlow’s quest takes place during the height of European colonialism in Africa. As he travels up the Congo River, he witnesses the brutal and exploitative nature of imperialism firsthand. The novella explores themes of darkness, moral ambiguity, and the corrupting...

Read more →

The Crying of Lot 49 (Thomas Pynchon)

Thomas Pynchon wrote The Crying of Lot 49 in 1966. The story follows Oedipa Maas, a California housewife, as she becomes entangled in a complex and bewildering conspiracy. Invararity’s estate names Oedipa the executor of his estate. As she delves into her role, she discovers a series of puzzling and interconnected clues that lead her on a surreal and convoluted journey. Oedipa’s investigation takes her into a world of enigmatic underground postal systems, secret societies, and strange encounters with eccentric...

Read more →

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)

The Satanic Verses is a novel written by Salman Rushdie and published in 1988. The story revolves around two main characters, Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha, whose lives become intertwined in a series of surreal and fantastical events. The novel begins with a plane explosion over the English Channel, in which Gibreel and Saladin miraculously survive. However, their bodies undergo a transformation, blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination. Gibreel starts experiencing vivid dreams and visions, while Saladin develops physical...

Read more →

Numero Zero (Umberto Eco)

Numero Zero is a novel written by Umberto Eco and published in 2015. It is a satirical work that explores themes of media manipulation, conspiracy theories, and the blurred line between truth and fiction. The story is set in Milan in 1992 and follows Colonna, a freelance writer who is hired to work for a mysterious publishing project called “Domani” (“Tomorrow”). “Domani” aims to create a nonexistent newspaper, which would be used to manipulate public opinion and serve the interests...

Read more →

Any Human Heart (William Boyd)

William Boyd wrote and published Any Human Heart in 2002. It is a fictional autobiography that follows the eventful life of the protagonist, Logan Mountstuart, during the 20th century. Boyd presents the narrative through Logan’s journal, which Logan keeps throughout his life. The novel spans various periods and locations, offering a panoramic view of historical events. These events include World War I, the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and the Swinging Sixties. Boyd portrays Logan as a complex and...

Read more →

The Sisters Brothers (Patrick DeWitt)

Eli Sisters, the more introspective and sensitive of the two brothers narrates The Sisters Brothers . A wealthy man known as the Commodore hires Eli and Charlie to hunt down and kill a man named Hermann Kermit Warm. The Commodore says Harm has stolen from the Commodore. As the brothers travel from Oregon City to California, they encounter a variety of eccentric and often dangerous characters. Among these include rival bounty hunters, sex workers, and gold prospectors. Eli begins to...

Read more →

The Martian (Andy Weir)

Andy Weir wrote the sci-fi novel The Martian in 2011. It is a gripping and realistic tale of survival set on Mars. Watney’s crew strands him on Mars after they believe he is dead, killed in a giant dust storm. With limited supplies and no means of communication with Earth, Watney must rely on his ingenuity. He turns to his scientific knowledge and resourcefulness to survive in the harsh Martian environment. Watney faces numerous challenges, including finding ways to grow...

Read more →

Traveler of the Century (Andres Neuman)

Set in the early 19th century, Traveler of the Century follows the travels of Hans, a young German traveler and translator who arrives in the fictional city of Wandernburg. Hans becomes acquainted with a diverse cast of characters, including intellectuals, revolutionaries, and aristocrats, each representing different facets of society. As Hans delves deeper into the city’s social and intellectual circles, he becomes involved in discussions. He debates on a wide range of topics, such as politics, love, literature, and human...

Read more →

Look Homeward, Angel (Thomas Wolfe)

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...

Read more →

China Mountain Zhang (Maureen McHugh)

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...

Read more →

All I Asking for is My Body (Milton Murayama)

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...

Read more →

The Purloined Letter (Edgar Allen Poe)

“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,...

Read more →

The Gold Bug (Edgar Allen Poe)

“The Gold Bug” is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe. It follows the adventure of an unnamed narrator and his eccentric friend, William Legrand, as they search for buried treasure. The story begins with the narrator visiting Legrand on an isolated island in South Carolina. Legrand, who has recently become obsessed with finding buried treasure, shows the narrator a mysterious scarab-like bug (aka “The Gold Bug”). He believes holds the key to discovering the treasure’s location. Legrand describes...

Read more →

The Great Wall of China (Franz Kafka)

“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...

Read more →

Let Me Be Frank With You (Richard Ford)

Let Me Be Frank with You ( LMBFWY ) is a novel by American author Richard Ford and published in 2014. LMBFWY is a collection of interconnected stories featuring Frank Bascombe. Bascombe is a middle-aged retired sportswriter and real estate agent living in New Jersey. The book serves as a sequel to Richard Ford’s previous novels: The Sportswriter , Independence Day , and The Lay of the Land . Following Hurricane Sandy, Let Me Be Frank with You explores Frank’s...

Read more →

Slaughterhouse 5 (Kurt Vonnegut)

Kurt Vonnegut wrote Slaughterhouse 5 from his own experiences serving in the armed forces. It tells the story of Billy Pilgrim, an optometrist and World War II veteran. Billy becomes “unstuck in time,” experiencing moments of his life out of chronological order. Vonnegut structures the novel in a non-linear fashion. Billy’s experiences during the war, particularly the firebombing of Dresden, Germany, serve as a central focus. Vonnegut himself was a survivor of the Dresden bombing, and the novel draws from...

Read more →

The Royal Game (Stefan Zweig)

“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...

Read more →

Barley Patch (Gerald Murnane)

Gerald Murnane published Barley Patch in 2009. It is a contemplative and introspective work that delves into themes of memory, imagination, and the nature of storytelling. A writer and self-described “matchmaker of words” narrates the novel. He shares his reflections on his life, his obsession with the Australian landscape, and his experiences with writing and storytelling. The narrative is nonlinear and fragmented, with the narrator weaving together memories, dreams, and fictional scenarios. At the heart of the novel is the...

Read more →

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Hunter S. Thompson)

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...

Read more →

Vineland (Thomas Pynchon)

On California’s fog-hung North Coast, the enchanted redwood groves of Vineland County, a wild assortment of sixties refugees from the “Nixonian Reaction” live on. They’re still struggling with the consequences of their past lives. Aging hippie freak Zoyd Wheeler is revving up for his annual act of televised insanity. The latter typically involving self-defenestration to keep government checks flowing. When news reaches that his old nemesis, sinister federal agent Brock Vond, has come storming into Vineland. And with him a...

Read more →

Burning Secret (Stefan Zweig)

Burning Secret is a novella written by Stefan Zweig. Set in an Austrian resort in the early 20th century, the story involves young Edgar and his mother. The two are spending their summer vacation at the hotel. The central focus of the novella is the relationship that develops between Edgar and a man named Baron von Aschenbach. The baron takes a particular interest in Edgar and begins to form a close bond with him. The baron’s desires to win the...

Read more →

The Death of Ivan Ilyich (Leo Tolstoy)

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...

Read more →

Eye in the Sky (Philip K. Dick)

Philip K. Dick published the sci-fi novel Eye in the Sky in 1957. The story follows a group of individuals who find themselves trapped in a bizarre and ever-shifting alternate reality created by a malfunctioning particle accelerator. The novel begins with the main characters, Jack Hamilton and Marsha, visiting a new tourist attraction - an experimental particle accelerator. The particle accelerator goes awry and transports the group into a series of parallel worlds. Specific beliefs and prejudices govern each of...

Read more →