A concise guide for all your readings
November 21, 2024
“Purple Hibiscus” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a captivating novel that explores the themes of family, freedom, and the clash of tradition and modernity in post-colonial Nigeria. The story follows Kambili, a young girl growing up in a wealthy and devoutly Catholic family led by her oppressive father, Eugene. The narrative opens with Kambili and
READ MORE
“Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë is a haunting and tumultuous novel that delves into the passionate and destructive love story between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. Set in the desolate moorlands of Yorkshire in the late 18th century, the narrative explores themes of love, revenge, social class, and the power of nature. The story begins with
READ MORE“Survival in Auschwitz,” also known as “If This Is a Man,” is a gripping and harrowing memoir by Primo Levi, an Italian Jewish chemist who was imprisoned in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. The book provides a firsthand account of the brutal conditions, dehumanization, and daily struggle for survival in one of
READ MORE“As I Lay Dying” by William Faulkner is a complex and thought-provoking novel that delves into the lives of the Bundren family as they embark on a harrowing journey to fulfill their deceased matriarch’s dying wish. Set in the rural South during the early 20th century, the story explores themes of death, grief, family dysfunction,
READ MORE“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare is a delightful comedy that takes place in ancient Athens and the enchanted forest. The play explores themes of love, magic, and the whimsical nature of human desire. With multiple intertwining storylines, the narrative follows the romantic escapades and misadventures of four young lovers, a group of amateur
READ MORE“The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien is a collection of interconnected stories that explore the experiences of soldiers during the Vietnam War. Through a series of vivid and emotionally charged vignettes, O’Brien delves into the physical and emotional burdens carried by the soldiers and the profound impact of war on their lives. The book
READ MORE“The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ishiguro is a poignant and introspective novel that explores themes of duty, self-repression, and the passage of time. Set in post-World War II England, the story follows Stevens, an aging butler who reflects on his life and grapples with the choices he has made. The narrative unfolds through
READ MORE“The Crucible” serves as an allegory for McCarthyism and the Red Scare of the 1950s, when Miller wrote the play. He draws parallels between the witch trials and the persecution of suspected communists during that era, highlighting the dangers of paranoia, fear-mongering, and the erosion of civil liberties.
READ MORE“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley is a gripping and influential novel that explores the themes of ambition, scientific discovery, and the consequences of playing god. The story follows Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist, as he creates a living being through unconventional means, only to face the devastating repercussions of his actions. The narrative begins with Captain
READ MORE“The horror! The horror!”
READ MORE“A man’s heart is a wretched, wretched thing. It isn’t like a mother’s womb. It won’t bleed. It won’t stretch to make room for you.”
Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns
“The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini is a powerful and emotionally charged novel that follows the journey of Amir, a young boy from Kabul, Afghanistan, as he grapples with guilt, redemption, and the complexities of friendship and family. Set against the backdrop of Afghanistan’s tumultuous history, the story explores themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the
READ MORE“Chronicle of a Death Foretold” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a captivating novella that explores the themes of honor, fate, and the power of social norms in a small Colombian town. Set in the fictional village of Sucre, the story revolves around the murder of Santiago Nasar and the events leading up to his untimely
READ MORE“Madame Bovary” by Gustave Flaubert is a classic novel that follows the tragic life of Emma Bovary, a young woman living in rural France in the mid-19th century. The novel explores themes of passion, longing, and the destructive consequences of pursuing unattainable dreams. Emma, a romantic and idealistic young woman, is unsatisfied with her mundane
READ MORE“Animal Farm” by George Orwell is a satirical allegory that tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, Mr. Jones, in an attempt to create an egalitarian society. However, their idealistic vision of a utopia soon turns into a dictatorship, as the pigs, led by Napoleon, seize control
READ MORE