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Olga Tokarczuk's novel "The Empusium: A Health Resort Horror Story" is a fictional response to Thomas Mann's "The Magic Mountain." Set in a sanatorium in Prussian-ruled Silesia in 1913, the story follows the young Polish consumptive Mieczysław Wojnicz as he navigates medical treatments and engages in conversations with other patients. The novel explores themes of rationality versus folk belief and incorporates elements of horror and feminist polemic. Will Self's novel "Elaine" is a sensitive study of a repressed 1950s American housewife based on the author's mother, delving into her loveless marriage and short-lived infidelities. [Extracted from the article]

Garth Greenwell's novel "Small Rain" follows the unnamed narrator, a poet in Iowa City, who experiences a life-threatening tear on his abdominal aorta during the Covid-19 pandemic. The book provides a detailed account of the narrator's time in the intensive care unit, exploring his relationships with the nursing staff, his boyfriend, and his struggle with everyday tasks. The writing also delves into personal memories and meditations on art, emphasizing the fragility of life. "Small Rain" is part of a series of books by Greenwell and offers a poetic perspective on mortality. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on Jamie Quatro's novel Two-Step Devil, which tells the story of an elderly prophet living in Alabama who becomes embroiled in a dramatic rescue mission. Topics include the prophet's solitary life and visions, his unexpected heroism in saving a teenage girl from a prostitution ring, and the broader themes of courage and madness depicted in the novel.

The article focuses on Rachel Kushner's novel Creation Lake, which features an aging revolutionary, Bruno Lacombe, who retreats to a cave in France to inspire an anarchist commune with ideas from Neanderthal society. Topics include the espionage subplot involving a former FBI agent infiltrating the commune, the portrayal of radical characters and their personal conflicts, and the novel's slow pacing and lack of suspense compared to Kushner's previous works.

"The Hypocrite" by Jo Hamya is a novel that explores the complex relationship between a famous British novelist and his daughter. The novel opens with the novelist attending a play written by his daughter, which turns out to be a scathing critique of his own life and misogyny. The narrative weaves between different perspectives and time frames, highlighting the subjectivity of truth and the complexities of artistic creation. The novel is praised for its formal complexity and swift storytelling, best experienced in a single sitting. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses three different novels: "Jellyfish Have No Ears" by Adèle Rosenfeld, "The Hearing Test" by Eliza Barry Callahan, and "The Horse" by Willy Vlautin. "Jellyfish Have No Ears" follows the story of Louise, a young Parisian woman who is progressively losing her hearing. The novel explores her struggle with accepting a cochlear implant and the impact it will have on her remaining natural hearing. "The Hearing Test" focuses on a narrator who experiences sudden deafness and the resulting feelings of alienation and disassociation. "The Horse" tells the story of Al Ward, a broken-down country songwriter, and his reflections on his life as a musician. [Extracted from the article]

"The Banana Wars" by Alan Grostephan is a novel set in the region of Urabá in northwest Colombia during the 1990s. The story follows a diverse cast of characters, including a poor farm employee named Orejas, as they navigate the ever-evolving armed conflict surrounding the cultivation and sale of bananas. The novel explores the brutal political realities of Colombia and the impact of foreign investment on the country's banana industry. With compact and eventful scenes, the book offers a hardboiled depiction of extreme lawlessness and serves as an allegory of modern war. [Extracted from the article]

"This Strange Eventful History" by Claire Messud is a family chronicle that explores the aftermath of Algeria's conflicts through the story of the Cassar family. The novel spans from 1940 to 2010 and follows the Cassars' restless journeys across six continents, highlighting the rootlessness experienced by the generation raised in the aftermath of World War II. The book delves into themes of identity, colonialism, and the burden of living in the shadow of a paragon. Through detailed personality studies and emotional storytelling, Messud captures the complexities of family life and the challenges of finding belonging in a rapidly changing world. [Extracted from the article]

Colm Tóibín's novel "Long Island" is a sequel to his previous work, "Brooklyn," and picks up 20 years later. The story follows Eilis Lacey, who now lives in Long Island with her husband Tony and their children. However, their seemingly content life is disrupted when a stranger claims that Tony is the father of his wife's unborn child. This revelation prompts Eilis to travel back to Ireland, where the narrative expands to include the perspectives of Jim Farrell and Nancy Sheridan. Tóibín explores themes of repression and the struggle for emotional expression in this emotionally charged novel. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses three fiction books: "Negative Space" by Gillian Linden, "Reboot" by Justin Taylor, and "Bitter Water Opera" by Nicolette Polek. "Negative Space" follows the life of a part-time Manhattan private-school teacher during the pandemic lockdown, exploring themes of guilt and uncertainty. "Reboot" tells the story of a former child actor who discovers that his old TV show has gained an online cult following, delving into topics such as streaming television and online conspiracy theories. "Bitter Water Opera" follows the protagonist's journey to Death Valley, where she seeks inspiration from a dancer who left her career to open an opera house. The novella explores themes of independence and self-sufficiency. [Extracted from the article]

John Dos Passos' novel "U.S.A." is a magnum opus that stands out in American fiction. The trilogy, consisting of "The 42nd Parallel," "1919," and "The Big Money," explores the lives of Americans from various classes and regions. Dos Passos employs modernist techniques, such as stream-of-consciousness and collage-like newsreel sections, to capture the social and political disillusionment of the Great Depression. The novel's panoramic effect, kinetic quality, and unrelieved bitterness towards big business make it a unique and challenging work. Despite being difficult to categorize politically, "U.S.A." remains a powerful and enduring exploration of American society. [Extracted from the article]

Choice by Neel Mukherjee is a novel that explores the discontent of Ayush, a character living in a swank London neighborhood with his husband and twin children. Unlike typical contemporary fiction, Ayush does not turn inward for solutions but instead lashes out at the structures that make his life secure. The novel delves into Ayush's rebellion against neoliberal economic competition and his dissatisfaction with social conditions. The story is divided into three parts, each connected by theme and exploring different perspectives. While the novel may be frustrating at times, it challenges readers to question the characters' choices and trust their own interpretation. [Extracted from the article]

The Morningside by Téa Obreht is a dystopian novel set in the aftermath of a global environmental collapse. The story follows 11-year-old Silvia and her mother, who have immigrated to Island City as part of a repopulation program. While the novel touches on themes of climate change and migration, it primarily focuses on Silvia's coming-of-age journey. However, the plot is overshadowed by the generic dystopian background, and the book lacks depth and originality. Despite this, the author's talent for writing is evident, and it is suggested that she explore her interests in emigration, family dynamics, and folklore in a more direct and profound manner. [Extracted from the article]

Percival Everett's novel "James" is a retelling of Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" from the perspective of the character Jim. Everett, known for his genre-defying career and exploration of race, presents Jim as a complex character who adopts a mask of subservience in the presence of white people while maintaining his true identity as an intelligent and literate individual. The novel delves into themes of code-switching, survival tactics, and the harsh realities of slavery. While "James" serves as a commentary on "Huckleberry Finn," it also expands our understanding of the original work and aims to rescue it from being lost to history. [Extracted from the article]

Gabriel García Márquez's unfinished final novel, "Until August," was worked on during his final years while he struggled with dementia. Before his death, he asked for the novel to be destroyed, but his sons have now decided to publish it. The novel follows the story of Ana Magdelena Bach, a middle-aged wife and mother who engages in a one-night stand during her annual trip to an unnamed Caribbean island. The book explores Ana's desires and emotions as she continues to seek out infidelity in subsequent years. While the book is unfinished, it offers a glimpse into García Márquez's writing process and humanizes his legacy. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses three fiction books: "Operation Heartbreak" by Duff Cooper, "Parasol Against the Axe" by Helen Oyeyemi, and "Your Absence Is Darkness" by Jón Kalman Stefánsson. "Operation Heartbreak" reveals the hidden workings of the British War Office during World War II and follows the story of an orphaned aristocrat named Willie Maryngton. "Parasol Against the Axe" is set in Prague and narrated by the city, featuring a plot that revolves around three women and a novel that changes every time it is reopened. "Your Absence Is Darkness" tells the story of a nameless man in northern Iceland who wakes up in a church with no memory and encounters villagers who tell him stories of their lives. The book explores themes of love, infidelity, and heartbreak. [Extracted from the article]

Daniel Lefferts' debut novel, "Ways and Means," explores the practicalities of wealth and acquisition, grounding its characters in tangible economic realities. Set against the backdrop of the Trump presidential campaign, the story follows Alistair McCabe, an assistant to fracking billionaire Herve Gallion, who becomes entangled in a dangerous criminal project. The novel delves into themes of ambition, consequence, and the ethical dimensions of accepting money. In contrast, Patrick Langley's "The Variations" is an intricate work of magic realism that centers around Wolf, a young man who inherits the ability to hear the voices of his dead ancestors. The novel explores the harmonic correspondence between the living and the dead, creating a beguiling alternative history. However, the novel becomes more mannered as it progresses, resembling a straightforward artist's biography. [Extracted from the article]

Laird Hunt's collection of linked stories, "Float Up, Sing Down," takes place in the township of Bright Creek in Clinton County, Indiana. Set on a single day in 1982, the seemingly placid setting hides a deep reservoir of emotion and haunted ordinariness. The stories explore the lives of Zorrie and Noah's neighbors, revealing their private reckonings and emotional repression. Catherine Gammon's collection, "The Gunman and the Carnival," is set in Los Angeles after the Covid-19 lockdowns and centers around a mass shooting during a parade. The stories are obliquely connected and portray self-destruction without judgment. Mark Anthony Jarman's "Burn Man" features antiheroes who are helpless in the grip of their worst impulses, rendered through chaotic and fragmented narratives. [Extracted from the article]

"Praiseworthy" is a novel by Alexis Wright that explores the persecution of Australia's indigenous people and the global crisis of climate collapse. The story takes place in the Aboriginal town of Praiseworthy, where the Steel family faces societal fracture and misfortunes. The novel delves into themes of government intervention, media depictions, and the struggle for survival and political resistance. Alexis Wright, a member of the Waanyi people, is an outspoken advocate for Aboriginal community and culture. [Extracted from the article]

Anne Michaels' novel "Held" explores the connection between the physical world and the realm of remembrance. The story begins with a British soldier named John, wounded during World War I, reflecting on his memories of his wife, Helena. The narrative jumps through time, following John and Helena's descendants and their experiences of war and loss. The novel delves into themes of death, memory, and the persistence of the deceased. Michaels' writing is poetic and filled with metaphoric significance, creating a parallel reality where the present and the absent coexist. [Extracted from the article]

Guy Davenport, a critic and essayist, believed that all great works of art were connected by deep roots in humanity's past. In his book "The Geography of the Imagination," Davenport attempts to create an atlas of artistic expression, from ancient cave paintings to modern works. He explores the connections between different artists and their faithfulness to ancient traditions. Davenport's essays also touch on his disenchantment with the course of civilization and his admiration for countercultural artists who moved against the currents of their time. [Extracted from the article]

In the article, "Fiction: 'You Dreamed of Empires' by Álvaro Enrigue," the author explores the historical encounter between Hernán Cortés and Emperor Moctezuma in 1519. The novel, while fictionalized, delves into the clash of civilizations and the downfall of the Aztecs. It vividly portrays the architecture, cuisine, and rituals of the time, as well as the use of hallucinogens by Moctezuma and his subjects. The article also briefly mentions two other books, "River East, River West" by Aube Rey Lescure and "Verdigris" by Michele Mari, which explore contemporary culture clashes in China and a Gothic horror narrative, respectively. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses two fiction books, "My Friends" by Hisham Matar and "This Plague of Souls" by Mike McCormack. "My Friends" follows the lives of three Libyan men who were affected by a shooting at the Libyan embassy in London in 1984. The book explores their friendship and the challenges they face as they navigate life in exile. "This Plague of Souls" tells the story of John Nealon, a painter who returns to his home in the Irish countryside after being involved in a high-profile identity theft case. The novel delves into themes of paranoia and the relationship between individuals and global systems. [Extracted from the article]