Subject
Summer resorts -- Fiction Books
Best books
Sarah Orne Jewett
The Country of the Pointed Firs
"The Country of the Pointed Firs" by Sarah Orne Jewett is a novel published in 1896. A Boston writer retreats to the small coastal town of Dunnet, Maine, seeking solitude to finish her book. Boarding with the local herbalist Almira Todd, she becomes drawn into the lives of townspeople—eccentric sea captains, reclusive hermits, and gentle fishermen. Through summer visits and storytelling, she discovers the profound depths hidden beneath the surface of this quiet maritime community, forming bonds that transform her understanding of home and belonging.
Maurice Baudin
Hystereo
"Hystereo" by Maurice Baudin is a science fiction short story published in the early 1960s. The narrative focuses on Woodard, a reclusive man who finds himself in a peculiar situation involving a hi-fi enthusiast named Nodus and his unsettling sound apparatus. The story explores themes of technology, isolation, and the often absurd extremes of human behavior within mundane settings. In "Hystereo," Woodard reluctantly attends a hi-fi concert hosted by the eccentric Nodus, who has converted a garage into an elaborate sound studio. As the evening progresses, Woodard is subjected to a series of bizarre and overwhelming sound effects, meant to highlight the extremes of sound reproduction. Each demonstration becomes increasingly unsettling, leading him to feel trapped and anxious. The story escalates as Woodard's discomfort grows, eventually culminating in his mental collapse amid Nodus's obsession with sound. The narrative serves as a critique of technological obsession and social alienation, leaving readers to ponder the human experience in a rapidly evolving world.
L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
Tamawaca Folks: A Summer Comedy
"Tamawaca Folks: A Summer Comedy" by L. Frank Baum is a work of fiction likely written in the early 20th century. The story follows Jarrod, a weary lawyer who escapes from his tumultuous career by taking his family to the idyllic summer resort of Tamawaca. As they settle into their new surroundings, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, including a scheming partner in the resort's operations, an ambitious young man, and various fellow vacationers who all contribute to the unfolding comedy of errors and misadventures. At the start of the narrative, Jarrod's life as a lawyer for the notorious Crosby family comes to a close when he manages to extricate himself from their chaotic affairs. Seeking relaxation, he travels with his wife and children to Tamawaca, a beautiful locale by Lake Michigan, planning to rent a cottage. However, he soon realizes the local atmosphere is both charming and rife with intrigue, as he gets entangled with characters like Wilder, the witty and opportunistic owner of many local establishments, and other guests who each have their own ambitions and quirks. As the story unfolds, it seems that Jarrod's desire for a peaceful summer vacation may lead to unexpected challenges and an opportunity for personal growth amid the comedy of life at Tamawaca.
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