Subject
Terminally ill -- Fiction Books
Best books
Joseph Conrad
The nigger of the "Narcissus" : $b A tale of the forecastle
"The Nigger of the 'Narcissus': A Tale of the Forecastle" by Joseph Conrad is a novella published in 1897. Aboard the merchant ship Narcissus sailing from Bombay to London, a dying West Indian sailor named James Wait stirs both sympathy and suspicion among the crew. When a violent storm capsizes the ship and calm winds trap them at sea, tensions mount as some believe Wait himself is cursed. Conrad explores solidarity and self-interest within this floating microcosm of society, examining how humanitarian feelings can both unite and divide men facing the sea's indifferent power.
Henry James
The Wings of the Dove, Volume 1 of 2
"The Wings of the Dove, Volume 1 of 2" by Henry James is a novel published in 1902. It follows Milly Theale, a wealthy young American heiress facing a fatal illness, and the people drawn into her orbit. Among them are Kate Croy and Merton Densher, two Londoners desperate to marry but lacking money. As Milly's health deteriorates, a complex plan emerges that will test the boundaries of love, morality, and self-interest. What begins in London culminates in Venice, where hidden motives and concealed engagements unravel with devastating consequences.
Henry James
The Wings of the Dove, Volume II
"The Wings of the Dove, Volume II" by Henry James is a novel published in 1902. It follows American heiress Milly Theale, who is gravely ill, as she becomes entangled with two desperate Londoners: Kate Croy and Merton Densher. The engaged but impoverished couple cannot afford to marry. When Kate devises a manipulative plan involving Milly's fortune, the story moves from London to Venice, where matters of love, money, and mortality collide with devastating consequences for all involved.
Joseph Conrad
Le Nègre du "Narcisse"
"Le Nègre du 'Narcisse'" by Joseph Conrad is a maritime novel published in 1897. The sailing ship Narcisse departs from Bombay bound for England with a diverse crew under Captain Allistoun's command. Among them is James Wait, the sole Black sailor, who falls ill during the voyage. As the ship faces a violent storm off the Cape and tensions rise toward mutiny, the crew must endure physical and psychological trials that test their unity and survival in the unforgiving sea.
Art Lewis
Vassi
"Vassi" by Art Lewis is a science fiction short story written in the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around themes of isolation, existential dread, and the intersection of reality and the unknown. The story follows Julia Fenway, a woman faced with terminal illness, who encounters Vassi, a time traveler from a distant future, leading her to contemplate profound questions about life, death, and the possibility of escape from her grim fate. Julia, a file clerk, learns from her doctor that she has only a few months left to live. Alone and consumed by despair, she suddenly begins to hear a voice in her head—Vassi, an invisible historian from the future. As their conversations unfold, she learns of Vassi's capabilities and the possibility of time travel, with a desperate wish for escape from her mortality. When Vassi suggests experimenting with her cat, Belle, Julia is torn between her love for the cat and her yearning for survival. Ultimately, she resolves to end her life, believing that she could join Vassi in a world free of sickness. The story culminates in a tragic and poignant ending, reflecting the overarching themes of longing for connection and the quest for hope in the face of overwhelming despair.
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