Shaun Tan’s “The Arrival” is a wordless graphic novel that tells the story of an immigrant’s experience in an imaginary world. The book is composed of small, medium, and large panels, often featuring pages of full artwork. The narrative flow is repeatedly arrested to focus the reader’s attention on silent, often very detailed drawings, spread …
Examples of Allegories
“The Housekeeper and the Professor” is a novel written by Yoko Ogawa, a contemporary Japanese author. The book is a work of literary fiction set in modern-day Japan, and it is loosely based on the book “The Man Who Loved Only Numbers,” a biography of the mathematician Paul Erdös. The story revolves around the relationship …
The Worm Ouroboros by E.R. Eddison is a classic work of high fantasy that has captivated readers for nearly a century. Set in a world that is part medieval and part Norse saga, the book tells the story of the protracted war between the domineering King Gorice of Witchland and the Lords of Demonland. The …
“The Seven Madmen” is a novel written by Roberto Arlt and published in 1929. The novel is set in Buenos Aires and follows the life of Remo Erdosain, a man who is struggling to come to terms with his place in society. The novel is widely regarded as one of the most important works of …
The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan is a novel that explores the themes of love, loss, and isolation in a world where the majority of the earth’s surface is underwater. The story follows two main characters, North and Callanish, who are both Gracekeepers – individuals who are responsible for laying the dead to rest in the …
Henry Beston’s The Outermost House is a classic of American nature writing that has captured the hearts of readers for decades. The book chronicles Beston’s year-long experience living in a small coastal cottage on Cape Cod, and beautifully showcases the interconnectedness of all living things and the profound beauty of the natural world. The Outermost …
Stephen King’s The Green Mile is a novel that has captivated audiences since its publication in 1996. The story follows the lives of death row inmates and the guards who oversee them, all set against the backdrop of the Great Depression. While the novel is a work of fiction, it is also an allegory that …
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins is a contemporary fantasy/horror novel that has been captivating readers since its publication in 2015. The book tells the story of Carolyn, a young woman who is part of a group of orphaned children living under the care of a godlike man known as Father. The Library …
“The Princess and the Goblin” by George MacDonald is a classic children’s fantasy novel that has been enjoyed by generations of readers. The book was first published in 1872 and has since become a beloved classic. The story follows the adventures of Princess Irene and her friend Curdie as they navigate a magical world filled …
The Sense of an Ending is a novel by Julian Barnes that has been praised for its intricate storytelling and allegorical themes. The story follows the life of Tony Webster, a retired arts administrator, as he reflects on his past and grapples with the concept of time. The novel has been noted for its use …