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 …
Types of Allegories
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 …
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 Tartar Steppe is a novel written by Italian author Dino Buzzati in 1940. The book tells the story of a young officer, Giovanni Drogo, and his life spent guarding the Bastiani Fortress, an isolated military outpost located on the Tartar Steppe. The novel is widely regarded as Buzzati’s major work and has contributed to …
“The Story of the Stone” by Cao Xueqin is a classic Chinese novel that has been widely read and studied for centuries. Also known as “Dream of the Red Chamber,” the book is considered one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It is known for its intricate plot, vivid characters, and exploration …
Robert Musil’s “The Confusions of Young Törless” is a novel that explores the moral and psychological development of a young student sent to a military boarding school in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The protagonist witnesses and participates in the bullying and humiliation of a fellow student, leading him to question the nature of power, morality, and …
The Slynx by Tatyana Tolstaya is a dystopian novel that explores themes of power, oppression, and the resilience of the human spirit. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the book offers a thought-provoking glimpse into a society grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophic event known as “the Blast.” With its unique blend of satire, dark …
The Path to the Nest of Spiders is a novel by Italian writer Italo Calvino. The book was published in 1947 and tells the story of Pin, a cobbler’s apprentice, who lives in a town on the Ligurian coast during World War II. Pin lives with his sister, who is a prostitute, and often spends …
The Book of Ebenezer Le Page by G.B. Edwards is a novel that tells the story of Ebenezer, a cantankerous and charming old man who has lived his entire life on the Channel Island of Guernsey. The book was published in 1981, and it has since become a classic of twentieth-century literature. The novel is …
The Radetzky March is a novel written by Joseph Roth that was first published in Berlin in 1932. It is considered one of the most significant works of Roth and is widely recognized as a masterpiece of 20th-century literature. The novel tells the story of the Trotta family, spanning several generations, and their relationship with …