The People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks is a captivating novel that tells the story of a rare manuscript known as the Sarajevo Haggadah. This historical fiction novel follows the journey of the illuminated Hebrew manuscript that survives various historical periods and conflicts. The novel is an imagined history following the real clues found …
Examples of Allegories
Davis Grubb’s “The Night of the Hunter” is a novel that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers with its allegorical themes. The story follows the murderous ex-convict Harry Powell, who poses as a prison chaplain and preys on the Harper family in search of hidden money. The novel explores themes …
Jack London’s “The People of the Abyss” is a powerful and thought-provoking book that explores the harsh realities of poverty in the East End of London at the turn of the 20th century. In this allegory, London provides a firsthand account of the lives of the working-class people who were struggling to survive in the …
“The Shadow of the Torturer” is a science fiction novel written by Gene Wolfe. The book is part of the “Book of the New Sun” series and is known for its complex plot and allegorical themes. The story is set in a distant future where the sun is dying, and humanity is on the brink …
“The Long Walk” is a dystopian horror novel written by Stephen King under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. The novel was first published in 1979, and it is a story about a group of young boys who are forced to participate in a deadly race. The boys must walk continuously without stopping, and if they do, …
Salman Rushdie’s novel, “The Ground Beneath Her Feet,” is a complex and multifaceted work of fiction that explores many themes and ideas. At its core, the book is a love story, but it is also about the power of music, the nature of fame, and the ways in which mythology and reality intersect. Rushdie weaves …
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin is a science fantasy novel that has gained popularity for its unique plot and allegorical elements. The story is set on a supercontinent called the Stillness, which is plagued by catastrophic seismic events known as Fifth Seasons. The novel follows the lives of three women who possess the power …
Ian McEwan’s The Comfort of Strangers is a novel that explores the themes of power, desire, and control. The story follows a British couple, Mary and Colin, as they embark on a vacation to an unnamed European city that closely resembles Venice. During their visit, they become entangled in the sadomasochistic sex-games of a local …
“The Little Red Chairs” is a novel by Irish author Edna O’Brien that was published in 2015. The book tells the story of a Balkan war criminal named Dr. Vlad who hides out in a small Irish village and begins to court the local women. The novel has been praised for its powerful storytelling and …
Always Coming Home is a science fiction novel written by Ursula K. Le Guin. The book was published in 1985 and is considered one of Le Guin’s most significant works. The novel is set in the far future and tells the story of a peaceful people known as the Kesh who inhabit a place called …