Bicara Buku

  Title: Swann's Way Author: Marcel Proust Librivox Audiobook app Read by Expatriate This is the first volume of the monumental novel In Search of Lost Time, a masterpiece of French literature and modernist fiction. The book explores themes of memory, time, love, jealousy, and social class, all deeply intertwined with personal experiences and psychological insight. The narrative is divided into three main parts. The first introduces the unnamed narrator's childhood in Combray, a small French town, highlighting his emotional attachment to his mother and his sensory experience of time through involuntary memory—famously illustrated by the taste of a madeleine dipped in tea. This scene has become iconic in literary history and is central to the novel’s meditation on memory. The second and longest section, "Swann in Love," focuses on Charles Swann, a cultured man of the French aristocracy, and his obsessive, emotionally turbulent relationship with Odette de Crécy. Through...

  Title: The Red-Haired Woman (Kırmızı Saçh Kadın) Author: Orhan Pamuk Translated from the Turkish by Ekin Oklap Publisher: Faber & Faber, London Year published: 2017 253 pages The Red-Haired Woman is a haunting and layered novel that weaves together memory, myth, politics, and personal guilt to explore the relationship between fathers and sons, as well as the tension between tradition and modernity.  Set against the backdrop of Turkey’s shifting political and cultural landscape from the 1980s to the present, the story follows Cem Çelik, a boy from Istanbul who, after his father abandons the family, takes up a summer job apprenticing with a traditional well-digger in the rural town of Öngören. As the well-digger, Master Mahmut, becomes a temporary father figure to Cem, their relationship mirrors the intimate yet fraught dynamics of paternal authority.  Cem’s adolescent restlessness and curiosity grow, especially after he catches glimpses of a traveling theater troupe ...

  Title: All Quiet on the Western Front (Im Westen nichts Neues) Author: Erich Maria Remarque Translated into English by A W Wheen Publisher: Random House, London Year published: 2014 208 pages This powerful anti-war novel was first published in 1929. The story follows Paul Bäumer, a young German soldier who enlists in World War I with his classmates after being inspired by patriotic speeches from their schoolteacher. However, their initial enthusiasm quickly fades as they experience the brutal realities of trench warfare.   Paul and his comrades face unimaginable horrors on the Western Front, including constant shelling, gas attacks, and the psychological torment of losing friends in battle.  The novel vividly depicts the dehumanizing effects of war, showing how young soldiers are transformed from idealistic boys into hardened men struggling to survive. They endure terrible living conditions, hunger, disease, and the ever-present threat of death.   Through...

  Title: A House for Mr. Biswas Author: V. S. Naipaul Publisher: Vintage International, New York Year published: 2001 564 pages This is a richly detailed novel that chronicles the life of Mohun Biswas, an Indo-Trinidadian man whose lifelong struggle for independence and dignity is symbolized by his dream of owning a house. Set in mid-20th century colonial Trinidad, the novel explores themes of personal ambition, social hierarchy, and the complexities of identity within a postcolonial society. Born into poverty and misfortune, Mr. Biswas faces hardship from an early age. A pundit predicts that he will lead an unlucky life, and this prophecy seems to come true as he endures one misfortune after another. His father drowns when he is still a child, leaving the family in financial ruin. As a result, Mr. Biswas grows up under the control of various relatives, never truly belonging anywhere. His lack of stability and autonomy fuels his deep-seated desire to carve out his own place in the ...

  Title: The Outsider (L'Étranger) Author: Albert Camus Translated from the French by Joseph Laredo Publisher: Penguin Books, London Year published: 2010 119 pages The Outsider (L'Étranger) by Albert Camus is a philosophical novel that delves deeply into themes of alienation, existentialism, and the absurdity of life.  The protagonist, Meursault, is a French-Algerian man who lives a life detached from societal norms and emotional connections.  The story opens with the death of his mother, an event that Meursault approaches with a striking lack of emotion.  His indifference, even during the funeral, becomes a focal point for others’ judgment later in the story. Meursault’s life unfolds in a series of mundane events, marked by his passive approach to existence.  He begins a romantic relationship with Marie, a former coworker, yet remains emotionally indifferent to her affection.  His friendship with his neighbor, Raymond, further illustrates his detachment, a...

  Title: Of Love and Other Demons (Del amor y otros demonios) Author: Gabriel García Márquez Translated from the Spanish by Edith Grossman Publisher: Penguin Books, London Year published: 1995 160 pages Of Love and Other Demons (Del amor y otros demonios), written by Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez, is a haunting tale set in 18th-century colonial Colombia, where the worlds of rationality and superstition collide. The novel explores themes of love, faith, societal oppression, and the boundaries between the human and the supernatural.   The story centers on Sierva María de Todos los Ángeles, a twelve-year-old girl born into the crumbling aristocracy. She is the neglected daughter of the Marquis de Casalduero and his resentful wife, Bernarda. Raised among the African slaves on her family’s estate, Sierva María adopts their language, customs, and religious practices, creating a stark contrast between her and the elite world she is supposed to belong to.   The ...

Insomnia Stephen King Signet Book, New York, 1995 672 pages A gripping supernatural thriller that explores the boundaries between reality and the metaphysical.  Set in the familiar town of Derry, Maine, the story follows Ralph Roberts, an elderly widower struggling with chronic insomnia after the death of his wife.  As his sleeplessness intensifies, Ralph begins to see auras and strange visions, revealing a hidden layer of existence. King masterfully blends elements of horror, fantasy, and psychological suspense, creating a complex narrative that delves into themes of aging, grief, and the cosmic battle between good and evil.  The detailed character development and rich, atmospheric storytelling are hallmarks of King's style, though some readers might find the pacing uneven at times. Overall, "Insomnia" is a thought-provoking and immersive read that will appeal to fans of King's intricate world-building and multifaceted characters.

Blind Man's Bluff David Lorne Onyx, New York, 1992 368 pages A suspenseful thriller that follows Spike Halleck, a blind man who uses his other heightened senses and keen intellect to outmaneuver a relentless psychopath.  As Spike and his lover are hunted, the narrative delves into the psychological tension and ingenuity required to survive without sight.  The novel has been praised for its unique premise, detailed character development, and maintaining suspense throughout, making it a notable entry in the thriller genre.

"Man of War" by John Masters, published by Warner Books in 1998, tells the story of Bill Miller, a career soldier whose extensive service spans key historical events, including World War I, the Spanish Civil War, and World War II.  Known for his tactical brilliance and bravery, Miller faces not only the challenges of war but also battles within the military establishment that scorn his unorthodox methods and humble background.  The novel delves into his personal struggles, including strained relationships and a relentless drive for success.  This narrative serves as both a compelling portrait of a soldier and a fitting epitaph to Masters' distinguished writing career, offering a nuanced exploration of duty, class, and personal sacrifice.

The American Henry James Penguin Books, London, 1995 325 pages Henry James' "The American" is a compelling exploration of cultural contrasts and the complex interplay between innocence and sophistication.  The novel centers on Christopher Newman, a wealthy, self-made American businessman who embarks on a European adventure in search of cultural enrichment and a suitable wife.  His straightforward, earnest demeanor and American pragmatism starkly contrast with the refined, tradition-bound world of the European aristocracy. James skillfully portrays the cultural divide between the brash, confident Newman and the sophisticated, sometimes hypocritical European aristocrats.  This tension is most evident in Newman's courtship of Claire de Cintré, a beautiful and tragic young widow from an aristocratic French family.  Their romance is fraught with obstacles, not the least of which is the vehement opposition from Claire's family, who view Newman as a crude ou...

Title: Cup of Gold Author: John Steinbeck Publisher: e-Book Year Published: Started reading: 27 May 2024 About the book: Cup of Gold, John Steinbeck's debut novel, published in 1929, delves into the life of the infamous pirate Henry Morgan. The narrative blends historical fact with romantic fiction, capturing Morgan's journey from a restless young man in Wales to his rise as a notorious buccaneer in the Caribbean. Steinbeck's early prose showcases his budding talent for vivid description and complex character development. However, the novel often leans heavily into melodrama and can feel uneven compared to his later, more mature works. Despite these flaws, Cup of Gold is a compelling read for those interested in Steinbeck's literary evolution and the mythos of piracy. #reading #books #bookstagram #read