In his works "Tonio Krager," "Death in Venice," and "Tristan," Thomas Mann discusses the artist's struggle in terms of who he is, who he should be, and who he will be. In the three works, the artistic protagonists struggle with either a metaphorical or physical...
Mark Haddon’s novel, The Curious Incident of the dog in the Nighttime, is an autobiographical murder mystery narrated from the perspective of an autistic teenager, Christopher Boone. Throughout the text, Haddon astutely positions the audience to experience life from the perspective of someone who cannot...
“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is, on its surface, about a woman who suffers postpartum depression, which is the ultimate factor leading to her insanity; however, a closer examination of the protagonist’s portrayal and description reveals that the story is primarily about her...
In the Fight Club, it is clear to see that the narrator suffers from loneliness. It’s very clear at the beginning of the book where he only cares about material objects and not people such as his apartment. He becomes tired of living his boring...
In the novel “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, Starr Carter navigates a complex relationship with her Uncle Carlos, who serves as both a mentor and a point of contention in her life. This relationship highlights themes of family loyalty, cultural identity, and the...
The novel “Restart” by Gordon Korman presents a captivating narrative that revolves around themes of identity, redemption, and the complexities of adolescence. One of the most compelling aspects of this book is its unique setting, which serves as a backdrop for the characters’ transformations. The...
The Lovely Bones, a novel written by Alice Sebold, tells a haunting story of grief, loss, and the afterlife through the eyes of its young protagonist, Susie Salmon. However, behind this fictional narrative lies a real girl whose tragic fate inspired the story: Susie Salmon...
In John Green’s novel “Turtles All the Way Down,” the exploration of mental health, reality, and human connection takes center stage. The narrative follows Aza Holmes, a teenager grappling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as she navigates her complex relationships and the turbulent waters of her...
Neil Gaiman’s novel, “The Ocean at the End of the Lane,” is a haunting exploration of memory and identity, intricately woven through the lens of childhood recollections. The protagonist, returning to his hometown for a funeral, embarks on a journey into his past that reveals...
In Delia Owens’ novel, “Where the Crawdads Sing,” the themes of nature’s resilience and human isolation intertwine to create a powerful narrative that explores both the beauty and brutality of life in the marshes of North Carolina. Set against the backdrop of lush landscapes and...
In historical fiction, authors utilize the genre to give readers insight into a member of a past society, allowing for a connection between them and this past society. However, Anthony Doerr, author of All the Light We Cannot See, employs this genre differently by allowing...
Daniel Woodrell creates a protagonist in his novel, Winter’s Bone, who is prideful, resilient and would do anything to preserve her own kin and blood. Woodrell also allows the reader to see her weaknesses, making identification with her character easily done. Ree Dolly faces challenges...
America is said to be a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities, and this unique aspect of American society has a large impact in many people’s childhoods. One such person, author Junot Díaz, wrote the short story The Money, published in 2011 in the...
Octavia Butler’s Kindred involves two central themes of time travel and slavery. Published in 1979, the novel focuses on many issues during slavery in the 1800’s including the abuse of power, gender hierarchy, and the outcome of racial conflict. The novel features a twentieth century...
It’s impossible to determine all the complexity of a character just based on first impressions. This is especially true for the character Kolya in David Benioff’s novel City of Thieves. On the surface, Kolya appears to be a fearless, comedic, womanizer who is careless and...
Nathan Englander’s “Free Fruit for Young Widows” is strong story full of morality. In the center of the story is Professor Tendler, who escaped from the concentration camp during the Holocaust to get back to his family home. He finds his babysitter with her family...
Richard Price’s The Breaks details the life of Peter Keller, a troubled young man fresh out of college and trying to find his calling in the world. Throughout the novel Peter has trouble defining himself and what he should do with his life. While transitioning...
Dill, the son of Dillard Early, learns that rumors spread around like fire. He soon comes to realize that he’s the face of the son, whose father is in prison for possession of child pornography. At this time in his life, Dill only has two...
The Astronomer’s Wife is a fictional story by Kay Boyle whose primary character is Katherine Ames. The entire story revolves around the lifestyle and experiences made by Ames as well as the way the character interacted with her husband. The plot, the setting, symbolism and...
Fiela’s Child is a fiction novel by South African writer Dalene Matthee. The narrative is set in the forests of Knysna, South Africa. This novel follows the story of Fiela Komoetie and her family. Fiela is a black South African, and everyday she work hard...
Book analysis Henry James’ The Portrait of a Lady presents the reader with a novel that uses literary form in an attempt to frame the life of its female protagonist; the very title – ‘Portrait’ – expresses a double meaning, referring both to the representation...
Thomas King’s “Borders”, written in 1993, is a short fiction story showing an indirect characterization about Mother. The story allows the reader to understand the difficulties Mother encounters, of not disclosing the citizenship of the country she belongs to. However, taking the pride, of showcasing...
Fiction has created the opportunity for humanity to explore concepts in an experimental and safe arena. The Anthropocene has seen the adverse consequences of the human species experimentation, which is why it is essential for literature to be allowed the parameters for experimentation. This essay...
For a large portion of the novel, Isobel drifts through life believing intensely that the key to her happiness is belonging- that if she is a part of a crowd, if she is accepted, she will be “normal,” and it is this goal on which...
Introduction In Ian McEwan’s Saturday, the protagonist Henry Perowne is given the task of representing the trials of being a contemporary man. However, he seems to be more than just an average contemporary man. McEwan gives Henry the characteristics of a somewhat perfect man, an...
Isobel’s emotional isolation is a complex tapestry woven from the threads of her tumultuous childhood, primarily shaped by her mother, Ms. Callaghan. The profound impact of Ms. Callaghan’s cruel and sadistic behavior forced Isobel to retreat into herself, ultimately leading her to develop a defensive...
The story “Betrayal of Faith” by Mark M. Bello presents a compelling narrative that delves into themes of personal redemption, ethical dilemmas, and the struggle between faith and justice. At the center of this gripping tale is Zachary Blake, a once-respected lawyer whose battle with...
So, what would you do if you, while visiting the home of your boyfriend’s family, saw a glimpse of something that made you think that the boyfriend’s father is up to something shady, illegal, and possibly dangerous? Would you tell your boyfriend your concerns, or...
I loved the premise of Hello My Love by Evy Journey before I started reading it. True friendship turns into true love. Initially, Greg (our hero) only wanted to add another conquest to his list. He sees Elise (our heroine) on television defending the rights...
There is a quality that every individual strives to achieve and possess in his lifetime. This quality is dignity. In The Remains of the Day, a novel written by Kazuo Ishiguro, many themes are presented throughout the narrative of the main character, Stevens. Of the...
Fiction is an integral part of literature, a kind of art of the word that describes reality in artistic images. It is a collection of written and printed works of certain people, eras, and humanity. In its narrowest sense, fiction refers to written prose narratives, and often specifically to novels, as well as novellas and short stories.
