The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers is a collection of ten short stories that was first published in 1895. The stories are set in both America and France, and they showcase the decadence and degeneracy of society during the fin de siècle period. The first four stories in the collection are linked by …
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Thomas Merton’s “The Other Side of the Mountain” is a collection of journals that document the final 14 months of his life. Merton was a Trappist monk and Catholic author who is widely regarded as one of the most influential American Catholic writers of the 20th century. The journals offer a glimpse into Merton’s thoughts …
The Outsiders is a coming-of-age novel by S.E. Hinton, published in 1967. It tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis, a teenager from the wrong side of the tracks, who is caught up in a bitter rivalry between two groups of teenagers in 1960s Oklahoma. The novel has become a classic of young adult literature and …
Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince is a political treatise that has been the subject of much debate and interpretation since its publication in 1532. The book is known for its controversial advice on how to acquire and maintain political power, which has led some to label Machiavelli as a ruthless and amoral thinker. However, others argue …
The Butterfly Revolution by William Butler is a novel that was first published in 1961. The book is an allegory that uses the story of a group of butterflies to explore themes of power, leadership, and revolution. The novel follows the story of Winston Weynes, who is sent to Camp High Pines as a gift …
Rhinoceros by Eugène Ionesco is a play that serves as a powerful political allegory. The play was first performed in 1959 and is considered a hallmark of the Theatre of the Absurd. The genre emphasized the illogical or irrational aspects of life, often through bizarre or fantastical scenarios. Eugène Ionesco emerged as a leading figure …
Lord of Light is a science fiction novel written by Roger Zelazny, published in 1967. The novel is set on a distant planet where colonists from Earth have established a society based on Hindu mythology. The story follows the character Sam, who takes on various identities, including that of a god, in his rebellion against …
Natalia Ginzburg’s “The Little Virtues” is a collection of essays that explores the complexities of human relationships and the practicalities of everyday life. Through her writing, Ginzburg reflects on big virtues, little virtues, and how we often confuse one for the other when educating our children. She argues that the true education we must strive …
The Star Rover, also known as The Jacket, is a novel by Jack London that was published in 1915. This science fiction novel explores themes of mysticism and reincarnation, and follows the story of a man named Darrell Standing who is serving a life sentence in San Quentin for murder. Throughout the novel, Standing is …
The Conference of the Birds is a timeless allegorical masterpiece of Sufi literature written by the Persian poet Farid ud-Din Attar. The poem’s unique structure, with various birds representing different human qualities and aspirations, allows Attar to explore the complexities of the soul’s journey. The title is taken directly from the Qur’an, 27:16, where Sulayman …