Dave Ross

All posts tagged with fiction

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Olive Kitteridge (Elizabeth Strout)

Elizabeth Strout wrote Olive Kitteridge in 2008. It is a collection of interconnected stories that revolve around the complex and often prickly character of Olive Kitteridge. Olive is a retired schoolteacher living in the small coastal town of Crosby, Maine. The novel delves into the lives of the residents of Crosby, with Olive serving as the thread connecting the narratives. Through a series of episodic chapters, the reader gains insight into Olive’s struggles. Olive is depicted as a strong-willed and...

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The Siege of Krishnapur (J.G. Farrell)

J.G. Farrell wrote and published The Siege of Krishnapur in 1973. Set during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, aka the Sepoy Mutiny, the story depicts the harrowing experiences of British residents. They find themselves trapped in the fictional town of Krishnapur, located in British India. The novel begins with British residents of Krishnapur living an idyllic life, protected from the realities of the Indian rebellion. However, as the rebellion gains momentum, the town becomes besieged by rebel forces, cutting off...

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Inherent Vice (Thomas Pynchon)

Thomas Pynchon published Inherent Vice in 2009. Set in 1970s California, the story follows private detective Larry “Doc” Sportello as he becomes caught up in a complex and psychedelic web of mystery, conspiracy, and counter cultural chaos. The novel unfolds in the made-up Gordita Beach, where Doc leads an easy and mostly aimless existence. When Doc’s former girlfriend Shasta Fay Hepworth shows up one day seeking help, his life takes an unexpected turn. She knows of a plot to kidnap...

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Elizabeth Costello (J.M. Coetzee)

J.M. Coetzee published Elizabeth Costello in 2003. The story revolves around the fictional character of Elizabeth Costello, a renowned and aging Australian writer who travels the world giving lectures and engaging in philosophical debates. The novel is structured as a series of chapters that depict different moments in Elizabeth’s life. These moments include her interactions with family members, encounters with other intellectuals, and public speaking engagements. Through these episodes, Coetzee raises profound questions about literature, ethics, animals, and the nature...

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Slow Man (J.M. Coetzee)

J.M. Coetzee wrote Slow Man in 2005. The story revolves around Paul Rayment, an aging photographer who suffers a debilitating accident that results in the amputation of his leg. The novel explores themes of identity, loss, and human connection. After his accident, Paul becomes dependent on others for his daily needs. He struggles to come to terms with his new reality. He is assigned a caregiver named Marijana, a young Croatian immigrant who initially resents her role. However, she gradually...

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I am a Cat (Natsume Sōseki)

Natsume Sōseki wrote and published his first novel, I am a Cat , in 1905. A professor’s nameless house cat narrates the novel. The feline observes and comments on the eccentricities and foibles of the human characters that surround it. The cat, belonging to an unassuming schoolteacher, serves as a keen observer of human nature. It offers witty and satirical observations on the society and people it encounters. Through the cat’s observations, Soseki explores various aspects of Japanese society during...

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The Singapore Grip (J.G. Farrell)

J.G. Farrell wrote The Singapore Grip in 1978. Set during World War II, the story takes place in Singapore and explores the lives of a diverse cast of characters against the backdrop of an impending Japanese invasion. The novel primarily centers around the Blackett family, British rubber merchants who have prospered in Singapore. The protagonist, Matthew Webb, is a young British man who joins the Blackett’s firm. He quickly becomes entangled in their complex business and personal dynamics. As the...

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