The hottest Characters Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

The Sweetness of Life on Earth

To Asra • 78 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
📚 Literature Time Characters Narration
  1. In the novel 'Station Eleven', time is portrayed as fluid and non-linear
  2. Characters in the novel find beauty in the post-apocalyptic sublime, where linear time is distorted
  3. The play 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' in the novel represents the incomprehensible vastness and beauty of time

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders • 79 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing Reading Storytelling Books Characters
  1. The readers expect a cohesive story to lead them in a certain direction, answering questions as they arise.
  2. In writing with multiple points of view, the author should feel the book's need for additional voices rather than adding characters for the sake of it.
  3. One approach is to give each character enough backstory to make the current moment make sense, without unnecessary elaboration.

From Politics to Poetics

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
📚 Literature Analysis Themes Narrative Epic poetry Characters
  1. The second book of the Iliad focuses on politics and narrative traditions, with critical scenes contributing to major themes like politics, heroism, and gods interacting with humans.
  2. The Achaean assembly's actions in book 2 resolve political tension but do not fully address Achilles' absence, showcasing the resilience of the Achaeans despite conflicts.
  3. The Catalogue of Ships in book 2 serves as a reflection of mythical space and geography of antiquity, engaging with epic narrative and political dynamics, transcending the timeline of the main plot.
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Insidious Inception?

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
📚 Literature Speeches Narrative Characters Innovation Mythology
  1. In Nestor's speech to Patroklos in Iliad 11, he tells a persuasive story aiming to redirect Achilles' rage towards Hektor, a crucial moment in completing the plot of the Iliad
  2. The way Nestor tells his story and the structure of his speech provide insights into the effectiveness and indirect nature of his persuasion, highlighting the complexity of narrative influence
  3. Nestor's speech offers potential solutions and hedging for various outcomes, showcasing the adaptability of storytelling for different audiences and circumstances in Homeric poetry

Time, Feet, and Serious Wounds

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
📚 Literature Classics Themes Analysis Narrative Traditions Characters
  1. Book 11 of the Iliad involves a day full of battle, highlighting themes of conflict, heroism, and the role of gods in ancient literature.
  2. The plot of Book 11 includes scenes such as the conflict renewed by Zeus, Achilles' response to the suffering of others, and Nestor's persuasive speech to urge Achilles back to war.
  3. The foot wound of Diomedes in Book 11 reflects a tradition of the Trojan War, introduces elements of myth and realism, and positions the Iliad as critically engaging with the epic tradition.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 26 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
📚 Literature Book review Novel Writing Art Characters
  1. The novel 'Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow' explores the challenges and nuances of creating art and friendships, particularly in the context of the video game industry.
  2. The book is praised for elevating gaming to the level of art, alongside other creative forms like poetry and music, emphasizing the joy and bonds that come from creating something for others to enjoy.
  3. While the story is engaging and fast-paced, some elements of the plot and character development may fall short of the book's ambitious themes, ending with a less impactful conclusion.

A Conversation with Andrew Boryga

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 11 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
📚 Literature Novelists Characters Influences Voice Writing process
  1. Writing a novel can be a long, evolving process, with Andrew Boryga spending ten years to develop 'Victim,' which started as college short stories and transformed into a multilayered narrative.
  2. Characters in novels don't need to be fundamentally good; Boryga intentionally crafted complex, imperfect characters like Javi in 'Victim' to avoid traditional, simplistic portrayals.
  3. Authenticity in storytelling is crucial; Boryga aimed to portray the Bronx as he knew it, weaving the beauty, pain, and humor of the community into his novel 'Victim.'

The Haves and the Havents Part 4

Carefree Sketches • 19 implied HN points • 06 Jul 21
📚 Literature Fiction Analysis Storytelling Characters Themes
  1. Good sex can be a creation from scarcity or novelty, not just abundance. It's not just about size, but how you use what you have.
  2. The interactions between the rich and poor can involve co-opting methods - like staging wealth for status. The Cinderella story reflects a clever deception of scarcity for opportunity.
  3. Class dynamics and prejudices play out in situations where distinctions are made based on novelty and scarcity. The tale of Cinderella demonstrates how the prince's fixation with the slipper symbolizes societal judgments and preferences.

The manlet Dorian

Wyclif's Dust • 1 HN point • 10 Feb 24
📚 Literature Analysis Themes Characters Cultural impact
  1. The text discusses the concept of perpetual youth and the desire to avoid growing up, using Dorian Gray as an example.
  2. It explores the idea of life as self-creation, focusing on experiences and the impact of societal values on personal development.
  3. The text also delves into the consequences of prioritizing individual desires and self-creation over traditional responsibilities like parenthood, highlighting the challenges and implications of this modern mindset.

Lying In Plain Sight

cruiseandpaul • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📚 Literature Thriller Psychological Series Suspense Characters
  1. The novel 'Lying In Plain Sight' is the final book in the 'Moms Who Lie' thriller series, wrapping up the intense story of the Baileys and Carpenters.
  2. Readers can expect a suspenseful journey as characters confront their tormentor and unravel the mysteries that have plagued them.
  3. The 'Moms Who Lie' series is praised for its gripping twists, compelling characters, and suspenseful endings that keep readers engaged.

Look Good, Feel Good

Aerial Shot • 0 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🎭️ Culture Movies Actors Characters Romance
  1. Movies can be simple and entertaining with just two attractive actors in a room.
  2. Chemistry between actors and a willingness to 'go for it' can make a movie stand out.
  3. Exploring the question of the hottest movie character can lead to fun discussions and different perspectives.

A matter of no importance

Logos • 0 implied HN points • 29 Dec 20
📚 Literature Fiction Narrative Characters Themes Prose
  1. The narrator feels sad because he pushed away a woman who cared for him, showing that sometimes we hurt those we care about without even realizing it.
  2. He struggles with societal expectations of being tough and uncaring, believing that vulnerability makes him weak, which only increases his feelings of loneliness and sorrow.
  3. Eveline, the woman he pushed away, represents kindness and dignity, showing that true sophistication comes from being caring rather than callous.

Kitty's Bordello

Pizza Party • 0 implied HN points • 21 May 25
📚 Literature Fiction Writing Storytelling Characters
  1. The main character of the story is Madame Kitty. She seems to have an interesting and engaging personality.
  2. This piece is the opening scene of the first book in a series. It sets up the story and invites readers to share their thoughts on it.
  3. Readers can subscribe for free to get updates on new posts and support the author's work. It's a way to stay connected with the ongoing story.