“Oh dear,” says God, “I hadn’t thought of that,” and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.
If you are a big fan of the theater of the absurd, then the book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is definitely for you. It is an incredible work imbued with satire, sarcasm, and humor. Even in the most serious moments, like the destruction of the Earth by aliens or mortal danger for the main characters, you won't stop laughing. If you like light fiction, reading which you will not have to break your brain or memorize a thousand names, then this work is definitely for you.
Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.
The Portrait of Dorian Gray book is one of the greatest books ever, having received many adaptations and acclaim. It’s an incredible story of love and betrayal, of beauty and vanity, of the rise and fall of man. You will see a young man who falls into the abyss of corruption and darkness but cannot creep through it. Handsome on the outside, he turns into a monster who values nothing but his looks.
As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka has won the hearts of many with its brutal directness, conveyed through metaphor. Unable to work, speak, or even move around normally, Gregor, who used to feed his entire family, became nothing more than a burden on everyone. In this story, as in his other works, Kafka put all his pain about the frailty of this world and about the lack of understanding of the meaning of life.
Perhaps all humans are lonely. At least potentially.
The topic of artificial intelligence has long attracted the attention of various writers around the world. The book Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro raises the question: “What if machines had feelings?” What sets this book apart from many other similar ones is the fact that the narrative is told on behalf of Klara, an Artificial Friend (AF) designed to provide companionship to humans. Read a story about human relationships, love, friendship, and kindness.
You see, I am easy to judge, because I’m with you entirely in your view of me.
The Gothic novella The Turn of the Screw by Henry James explores the psychological depths of confusion and terror. The book catches one's attention with unusual storytelling and the way it makes readers wonder if the narrator is trustworthy. The narrative centers on a governess who is sent to look after two kids at a distant estate and starts to suspect paranormal activity.
Death destroys a man: the idea of Death saves him.
Howards End is a novel by Edward Morgan Forster, which is considered one of the most important British novels. Here, the author explores how class, culture, and interpersonal relationships interacted in Edwardian England. The work is ageless and thought-provoking because it examines relationships, social responsibility, and the pursuit of meaning.
I didn’t want to be a person anymore, I wanted to be an idea.
Sally Rooney's modern book Conversations with Friends delves into the complexities of intimacy, relationships, and self-discovery. The book explores themes of vulnerability, power, love, and the frequently hazy boundaries separating friendship and romance. Conversations with Friends is a sophisticated examination of contemporary relationships.
I am not really crazy. I know I am. But I cannot help it.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman's short story, The Yellow Wallpaper, examines issues of gender roles, mental health, and social expectations. It’s a story about a woman who was trapped in her room. This situation shows a strong indictment of how women's mental health was handled in the 19th century. Here, you will also see the repressive social mores that marginalized and repressed women's experiences.
Few things connect these books, yet all of them are, in one way or another, incredible works. Regardless of your preference for Henry James' gothic tension, Douglas Adams' humor, or Kazuo Ishiguro's provocative observations, each book offers a different perspective on the intricacies of life. Find something of your own among Jack Edwards book recommendations.
