Subject
Fate and fatalism -- Fiction Books
Best books
Henry James
The Beast in the Jungle
"The Beast in the Jungle" by Henry James is a novella published in 1903. It tells the story of John Marcher, a man obsessed with the belief that his life is destined for some catastrophic, spectacular event lurking in his future like a beast. His fixation prevents him from truly living or accepting the love of May Bartram, who patiently accompanies him through the years. This psychological parable explores loneliness, fate, and the tragic consequences of waiting for life instead of embracing it.
Wilkie Collins
Armadale
"Armadale" by Wilkie Collins is a novel serialized between 1864 and 1866. Two young men share the same name and a dark connection: one's father murdered the other's. When they become close friends, a mysterious prophecy and a haunting dream suggest tragic fate awaits them. Enter Lydia Gwilt, a beautiful and dangerous woman with secrets from their families' past, who schemes to claim an inheritance through deception, manipulation, and murder. A tale of identity, destiny, and moral choices unfolds.
Denis Diderot
Jacques le fataliste et son maître
"Jacques le fataliste et son maître" by Denis Diderot is a philosophical narrative written between 1765 and 1784. A master and his servant Jacques travel together, with Jacques promising to recount his love affairs along the way. Their journey becomes a playful experiment in storytelling as the narrative constantly digresses, interrupts itself, and challenges the conventions of the novel. Through embedded tales, philosophical debates, and direct addresses to the reader, Diderot creates a complex work that questions fate, free will, and the very nature of fiction itself.
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