“The Hearing Trumpet” by Leonora Carrington is a surrealist novel that has gained a cult following since its publication in 1974. The novel follows the story of a 92-year-old woman named Marian Leatherby, who is gifted a hearing trumpet and sent to a peculiar old-age home by her family. The novel is known for its …
Examples of Allegories
“The Master” by Colm Tóibín is a novel that tells the story of American novelist Henry James during the years 1895-1899. The novel is a fictionalized account of the life of writer Henry James and is beautifully written. Tóibín captures the extraordinary mind and heart of a great writer and explores themes such as society, …
The Shipping News by Annie Proulx is a novel that tells the story of Quoyle, a newspaper reporter who moves to Newfoundland with his daughters after the death of his unfaithful wife. Throughout the novel, Proulx uses various literary devices such as symbolism and allegory to convey deeper meanings and themes. One of the most …
“The Immoralist” by André Gide is a classic novel that was first published in 1902. It tells the story of Michel, a man who has spent his early adulthood as a scholar of ancient Greek and Roman cultures. The novel is a psychological exploration of Michel’s repressed desires and the deep rift that exists between …
“The Buried Giant” is a novel written by Kazuo Ishiguro, published in March 2015. It is a fantasy novel set in a fictional post-Arthurian England where no one can retain long-term memories. The novel follows the journey of an elderly couple, Axl and Beatrice, who decide to travel to a neighboring village to find their …
“The Garden of Evening Mists” is a novel by Tan Twan Eng that explores complex themes of memory, trauma, and healing. Set in post-World War II Malaysia, the story follows protagonist Teoh Yun Ling, a former prisoner of war who seeks to create a garden in memory of her sister who died during their internment. …
“The Overstory” by Richard Powers is a novel that explores the relationship between humans and nature. Through a series of interconnected stories, Powers weaves a tale of how the lives of nine different characters are impacted by trees and the natural world. The book has been praised for its beautiful prose and its ability to …
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a historical fiction novel set in France during World War II. The novel tells the story of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, who are both trying to survive the war in their own way. The Nightingale is a powerful story of love, loss, and bravery that explores the human …
“The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey is a novel that tells the story of an older couple living in the Alaskan wilderness, who are struggling with the pain of not being able to have children. One winter’s day, they build a child out of snow, and the next day, the snow child is gone, but …
“The Baron in the Trees” is a 1957 novel by Italo Calvino that has captivated readers with its imaginative storyline and allegorical themes. The novel follows the life of Cosimo di Rondò, a young boy who decides to climb up a tree and never come down. Through his experiences living in the trees, Cosimo learns …