Subject
Families -- Fiction Books
Best books
Fritz Leiber
A Pail of Air
"A Pail of Air" by Fritz Leiber is a science fiction short story published in 1951. Earth has been torn from the Sun by a dark star, freezing the atmosphere solid. A ten-year-old boy narrates his family's survival in a makeshift shelter, where they gather pails of frozen oxygen to breathe. They maintain a small fire for warmth in a world plunged into absolute darkness and cold, waiting alone on a dead planet.
Thomas Mann
Buddenbrooks: Verfall einer Familie
"Buddenbrooks: Verfall einer Familie" by Thomas Mann is a novel published in 1901. It chronicles the gradual decline of a wealthy north German merchant family across four generations, from 1835 to 1877. Drawing from Mann's own family history in Lübeck, the story explores conflicts between business duty and personal happiness as the Buddenbrooks face financial reverses and changing values during Germany's industrialization. Mann's first novel, written when he was twenty-six, became a literary success and earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1929.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The Gambler
"The Gambler" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a short novel completed in 1866. Set in a German casino town, it follows Alexei Ivanovich, a young tutor working for an indebted Russian family awaiting a wealthy relative's death. Hopelessly in love with his employer's stepdaughter Polina, Alexei becomes drawn into the intoxicating world of roulette. The novel reflects Dostoyevsky's own struggles with gambling addiction, capturing the fevered psychology of risk, obsession, and the desperate pursuit of fortune at the gaming tables.
William Black
A daughter of Heth
No description available.
James Grant
The Ross-shire Buffs
No description available.
George Barr McCutcheon
Black is White
"Black is White" by George Barr McCutcheon is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story begins with two elderly men, Danbury Dawes and Joseph Riggs, who are anxiously awaiting news from a blue envelope that contains a wireless message from James Brood, their old friend. This mysterious envelope sets the stage for an exploration of past friendships and familial tensions as Frederic Brood, James’ estranged son, navigates his complex relationship with his father and the sudden arrival of a new stepmother. At the start of the novel, the two old friends reflect on their adventurous past and their connection to James Brood, who has been out of their lives for years. They are particularly concerned about what the message might contain regarding the state of affairs on the ocean, unaware that it will lead to a dramatic revelation: James has married again after many years. As Frederic learns of this news, anger and feelings of abandonment surface, particularly as he grapples with his fraught relationship with his father, who seems indifferent to his existence. This opening sets the tone for a tale steeped in emotional conflict, self-discovery, and the dynamics of family relationships against the backdrop of their shared history.
H. P. (Howard Phillips) Lovecraft
The colour out of space
"The colour out of space" by H. P. Lovecraft is a science fiction/horror short story written in March 1927. A surveyor investigates a cursed area called the "blasted heath" near Arkham, Massachusetts, uncovering the tale of a mysterious meteorite that crashed decades earlier. The impact unleashed something alien and incomprehensible that poisoned the land, corrupted all living things, and drove a farming family to madness and death. Something unnatural still lingers in the contaminated soil.
Robert Walser
Geschwister Tanner
"Geschwister Tanner" by Robert Walser is a novel written in 1906. Twenty-year-old Simon Tanner drifts through jobs and life, searching for his place in the world. He moves from bank clerk to bookseller to nurse, rejecting stability and security. His accomplished siblings—a teacher, a scholar, a painter, and a brother in an asylum—watch as Simon embraces aimlessness over ambition. Through encounters with lovers, employers, and family, he chooses the present moment over any promised future.
William Dudley Pelley
The fog : $b A novel
"The Fog" by William Dudley Pelley is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story appears to center around the experiences of young boys, particularly focusing on their adventures and interactions in a rural setting, highlighting themes of friendship, innocence, and the societal pressures of growing up. The narrative introduces the main character, a boy who begins a new school year and meets another boy named Nathan Forge, setting the stage for their relationship and the challenges they face as they navigate their childhood experiences. The opening of "The Fog" presents a vivid portrayal of childhood in a small Vermont school yard as the young protagonist reflects on his awkwardness and bravado. He engages in banter with Nathan, a new boy distinguished by his plethora of freckles, and this light-hearted interaction reveals their budding friendship amidst the backdrop of their families' circumstances. The narrative unfolds through their dialogue, playful jabs, and the playful comparisons they draw from their family backgrounds, which hint at deeper themes of familial relationships and social status. This opening establishes not only the childhood innocence of the characters but also foreshadows the complexities they will encounter as they grow.
William John Locke
The White Dove
"The White Dove" by William John Locke is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Sylvester Lanyon, a dedicated doctor who grapples with the memories of his deceased wife while navigating his relationships with those around him, particularly Ella Defries, a vibrant young woman who challenges his somber outlook on life. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human connection against the backdrop of a slow-paced, reflective life. The beginning of the novel introduces Sylvester in a thoughtful exchange with Ella, revealing their contrasting perspectives on life. While Ella advocates for embracing life's joys despite its struggles, Sylvester appears more guarded and introspective, weighed down by memories of loss. As their conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that Sylvester is on the cusp of significant change, having just sold his medical practice to pursue newfound ambitions in London. This pivotal moment sets the stage for the exploration of his character's internal conflict, laying the groundwork for the unfolding drama of relationships, societal expectations, and personal revelations throughout the story.
Mary Borden
Jane--Our Stranger: A Novel
"Jane--Our Stranger: A Novel" by Mary Borden is a recent fiction work published in the early 20th century. The narrative appears to explore themes of identity, belonging, and the struggles within familial relationships through the lens of its central character, Jane, and her complex ties with her mother and the people around her. The story kicks off with reflections on Jane's life and how her surroundings shape her experience of love and alienation, hinting at deeper layers of conflict and insight regarding her character. The opening of the novel introduces a reflective and somewhat melancholic tone as we meet the narrator, who is Jane’s crippled brother, contemplating the strange presence Jane has had in their lives. He muses over her marriage to his brother Philibert, her time in Paris, and her significance both in their lives and in a broader societal context. The passage notes the intricacies of Jane's relationships—especially with her mother, Mrs. Carpenter—and highlights her longing for understanding and acceptance. As Jane's world evolves—with the contrast between her American upbringing and her experiences in Paris—there's a palpable tension between her past innocence and the complexities of her new life, setting the stage for a poignant exploration of her character in the chapters to come.
Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton
The Caxtons: A Family Picture — Complete
"The Caxtons: A Family Picture — Complete" by Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton is a Victorian novel published in 1849. The story follows the Caxton family: scholarly Austin working on his grand history, his wife Kitty, his brother Roland the Captain, and Austin's son Pisistratus who narrates. Their quiet country life shifts when young Pisistratus becomes secretary to a parliamentary leader, falls for his employer's daughter, and faces heartbreak alongside his father's financial troubles. This gentle, humorous family portrait marked a turning point in Victorian fiction.
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