The Stories
“The Fifth Child” by Doris Lessing: A Silent Collapse of Family and Identity
At the heart of the story is Harriet, whose dream of a perfect family collapses with the birth of her fifth child, Ben. Lessing’s portrayal of Harriet’s internal struggle is vivid—particularly in scenes around the kitchen table in their “dream” home. These moments of family closeness gradually deteriorate as tension builds.
The Enigmatic "Slaughterhouse-Five": A Profound Exploration of War and Humanity
Poems to Live Your Life By, collated by Chris Riddell, is a wonderfully curated collection of poems paired with illustrations by Riddell himself. The collection is divided into themes that Riddell considers integral to human experiences, ranging from the wonders of love and the sorrow of loss to profound themes such as war. At the heart of it all is the experience of growing, not solely through age but also through personal development and life lessons.
Discovering the Universe: A Journey Through 'Aristotle and Dante'
Sáenz's rich, melancholy prose draws readers into Ari's emotional world. The quiet, even mundane, tone perfectly captures his yearning and isolation, creating space for reflection. Ari's voice reveals a desolate boy struggling to find his place. This routine changes when he meets Dante, a catalyst for change in his life.
A Compelling Yet Flawed Journey: The Midnight Library
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is captivating in its exploration of the very human desire for improvement, while showing that often the only reason we don’t, is because we don’t want to. Haig’s writing style is accessible and subtly evocative, making the book an easy yet engrossing read. It should take most readers the time between breakfast and lunch to work through it. The simplicity of the narrative coupled with the almost desperate pursuit for poignancy somehow works for a book that deals with themes of loss, regret, and ultimately human failure. There is a hint of hope, but even that can’t make up for the desperate failure the protagonist insists on being.
Exploring Imperfection and Authenticity: A Deep Dive into Sylvia Plath & ‘The Bell Jar’
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is a profound exploration of character development, flaws, and the open-ended nature of the narrative, mirroring the unresolved journey of the protagonist, Esther Greenwood. Plath’s writing, while nuanced for its time, raises consideration about the alter states in which her work was often published, a practice aimed at preserving the face of those she wrote about.