There are a great
variety of enjoyable, romantic, cunning and reputable novels that express a
certain interest in many differentiating genres. Books provide a great release
for those who are in need of a creative license or remedy for an apathetic
attitude. The stories that we read reflect how our personal taste imitates the
things in which we enjoy each day. We are able to experience a new world,
perspective and characters that alter our perception of specific events or
procedures. The books we have listed below showcase these features of reading;
The Trap - Melanie Raabe
This novel is a
highly rewarding, complicated read that highlights a particular sense of
distorted reality due to an overcrowded presence of anxiety and paranoia. ‘The
Trap’ showcases the story of Linda , who struggles to interpret the intensity
of her sister’s death, even after years of reflection and speculation of her
killer. Through her occupation as an author, Linda experiences a change of
heart and decides to write a crime novel based on her sister’s murder. As the
novel progresses, Linda obsession with catching the killer turns into a
powerful drive and habit. She becomes engrossed in the trap that she is
carefully placing down, hoping to finally conclude her desperate fight to
decline her constant sense of mania and delusion. But what Linda doesn’t know
is that the man who killed her sister might be closer than she cares to
believe.
Shift - Hugh Howey
‘Shift’ showcases
the life of Olive, a self-reliant and autonomous character that claims that she
doesn’t “need a life-saver boyfriend” to lead the most independent life that
she can. Whilst suffering bouts of depression and anxiety, Olive learns to believe
that her supposed ‘best friend’ is not what she thought and progresses to
associate with a crowd that condones the type of life that she never assumed
she wanted. As Olive’s sense of morale declines, she is faced with a
heartbreaking realisation, but never fails to justify to herself that she
doesn’t need help from anyone. Hence the title of the novel, Olive’s life is
completely changed and as her relationship with the Queen B Miranda becomes
twisted and cruel, she struggles to climb out of the dark hole that she has dug
for herself. Through the progression and evolvement of her character, Olive
learns that truly trusting your acquired sense of eccentricity and intuition
can take you further than any rumour, gossip or uneducated lie will ever lead.
A thousand splendid suns - Khaled Hosseini
This confronting and
emotionally demanding novel demonstrates a particular exploitation in the life
Afghanistan and the corruption regarding the arranged marriage system. The
novel begins with the life of Maryam, a young Afghani girl who was the so called
‘resented’ product of a powerful courtier and lowly house maid. As Maryam and
her mother live in a deprived slum, her father dwells in a gorgeous estate near
the city. She eagerly awaits her father’s weekly visits and therefore desires
his company, informing her mother of her increased craving to live with her
father on his domain. A destroying heartbreak sends Maryam to her father by the
means of custody and obligation instead of longing and celebration of a fresh
start. As her father’s many wives grow tired of Maryam’s presence, she is sent
to live with Rasheed, who is 30 years her senior. As Maryam experiences a
journey of self-discovery and true discomfort with her life, she learns to
understand the importance of friendship, sacrifice and love.
And the Mountains echoed - Khaled Hosseini
Similar to A
Thousand Splendid Suns, this novel is set in Afghanistan, recounting the lives
of many that reside there. Khaled Hosseini has written a story about how we
love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate
through generations. As the story progresses, the characters explore how
families can betray, nurture, honour and sacrifice for those that they love.
This emotionally gripping novel expresses a sense of love and ambition for the
future.
Written by Skye Nugent.
