The hottest Novel Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Orwell on Kipling

David Friedman’s Substack • 152 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
📚 Literature Criticism Poetry Essay Novel
  1. Orwell viewed Rudyard Kipling as a talented writer, despite being despised by many in his time.
  2. Orwell criticized Kipling's realism as 'sadism,' but believed Kipling's writing reflected a different perspective on handling life's unfairness.
  3. Orwell underestimated Kipling's skill as a poet and short story writer, failing to recognize the depth of his work beyond popular pieces.

Cid in the architecture

Soaring Twenties • 69 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
📚 Literature Fiction Art Authors Novel Writing
  1. The story shares an excerpt from a novel in progress, set in a cyberpunk version of Boston, featuring multiple narrators and a mysterious character named Cid.
  2. Cid, a cab driver with unique abilities, gets entangled in a dangerous situation involving a woman named Terrah who seeks his help in delivering an item to the mysterious Gee building.
  3. The narrative weaves elements of technology, architecture, and suspense, creating a compelling and intriguing story that hints at larger mysteries and character dynamics.
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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.

"Ethan Frome" (Edith Wharton)

Outsider Art • 19 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
📚 Literature Novel Character analysis
  1. The village of Starkfield, isolated and suffocating in winter, plays a significant role in shaping the characters' fates.
  2. Zeena, with her apparent frailty, conceals a cunning mind and holds a significant power over Ethan and their relationships.
  3. Ethan's dreams and desires are ultimately crushed by the tragedies and constraints of fate, leaving him resigned to a life of quiet despair.

Stories of Sand, Cities of Salt

Critic at Large • 19 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Literature Novel Storytelling
  1. Artists like Kiluanji Kia Henda explore the notion of cities emerging in unlikely environments, such as deserts, and how these structures can impact society and culture.
  2. The concept of 'Dubaization' refers to the influence of extravagant city development projects, like those in Dubai, on architecture and urban planning in other regions, prompting discussions on the authenticity and value of such endeavors.
  3. The novel 'Cities of Salt' by Abdulrahman Munif delves into the consequences of rapid urbanization driven by oil exploitation, highlighting the societal tensions and transformations that accompany the development of 'cities of salt.'

D is for Daumal

Castalia • 39 implied HN points • 19 Dec 22
📚 Literature Poetry Essays Novel Philosophy Drama
  1. Réné Daumal was a curious thinker who explored life and consciousness through unique experiments, seeking to understand deeper truths. He believed there was more to existence beyond everyday life, similar to experiences reported by those who have near-death experiences.
  2. Daumal had a strong connection with Eastern philosophies and sought knowledge from various spiritual teachings. His dedication led him to create and engage in groups that focused on exploring consciousness and self-discovery.
  3. His book, _Mount Analogue_, symbolizes a journey towards understanding higher truths. It mixes reality with imaginative adventures, showing his belief that through exploration, both physical and spiritual, we can find meaning in life.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

Holodoxa • 59 implied HN points • 25 Apr 21
📚 Literature Storytelling Novel
  1. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami is considered a masterpiece by many critics and one of the best novels from an East Asian author.
  2. The novel was originally published in 1994 and translated into English in 1997, showcasing the blend of magical realism and storytelling rules.
  3. Readers interested in strange and desultory narratives may find this novel intriguing and worth exploring.

August 2020: Notes in the Margins

Notes in the Margins • 39 implied HN points • 01 Sep 20
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Novel Books Reading Storytelling
  1. Many people are feeling a mix of emotions in 2020 - from low key sad to high note sad, it's been a rollercoaster year.
  2. It's important to pay attention to the little details and listen to inner callings, even if it means making adjustments and changes.
  3. Committing to a creative project, like writing a novel, can bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment, even when the path forward may not be entirely clear.

Weird Scenes from a Shrinking Planet (Part 2)

The Permanent Problem • 5 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
📚 Literature Speculative Fiction Dystopian Futurism Science fiction Novel
  1. Showing up is crucial in demographics and can have a big impact in the long run.
  2. Rural areas are shrinking due to urbanization and low fertility rates, leading to potential opportunities in abandoned areas.
  3. Artificial wombs could potentially impact fertility rates and raise ethical questions about industrial parenting.

Welcome to gulmohur

storyvoyager • 7 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
⚔ Fiction Short Story Dystopian Novel
  1. A young teacher eagerly awaits her first gifted student at a unique school.
  2. The protagonist navigates an emotional journey involving an infant, parents, and a school's enrollment process.
  3. The story explores themes of duty, potential, and morality in a futuristic setting.

Ink #1

Arjun’s Newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
📚 Literature Short Story Novel Music
  1. Arjun shares his favorite cultural experiences each week, like a jazz performance in New York
  2. He recommends reading J.D. Salinger's short story 'For Esmé—with Love and Squalor' for its emotional depth
  3. Arjun suggests Graham Greene's 'Our Man in Havana' for a light, humorous read about espionage during the Cuban Missile Crisis

☞ The Magic of Code

Cabinet of Wonders • 1 HN point • 26 Apr 23
📚 Literature Technology Coding Books Writing Novel
  1. The author is writing a book titled 'The Magic of Code' that explores how digital language has shaped the modern world and will shape the future.
  2. The book will cover a wide range of topics such as the complexity of technology, glitches and bugs, the connection between coding and magic, old texts, simulation, and artificial life.
  3. The author aims to make the computational realm fascinating and understandable for a broad audience by providing a novel mental lens and a liberal arts-infused approach to computing.

165 pages but no answers

Get Wit Quick • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
📚 Literature Novel Questions Book review
  1. The post discusses a book that consists of 165 pages of questions with no answers.
  2. The Betteridge's law of headlines suggests that headlines in question form usually have a negative answer.
  3. The book highlighted in the post is described as a brilliant piece of work

Paging Steve Anderson

And It Don't Stop • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
📚 Literature Book review Novel Author Writing Style
  1. The novel "As the Day May Determine" by Steve Anderson features a dominatrix character who shows empathy towards her clients.
  2. The novel also offers a depiction of the changing East Village through the eyes of the author, reflecting on the neighborhood's evolution.
  3. The story line of the novel includes themes of betrayal, miscarriages of justice, and elements resembling murder, making it engaging for readers.

Brief thoughts on Joyce's Ulysses

Facsimile No. 2 • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 21
📚 Literature Classics Analysis Critique Ranking Novel
  1. Reading Joyce's Ulysses can be challenging due to its cryptic writing and dense text but offers moments of beautiful prose that make the struggle worth it
  2. The episodes of Joyce's Ulysses range in style and difficulty, with each offering unique and sometimes obscure insights into the characters and narrative
  3. The novel delves into the subconscious of the characters in a psychedelic way, presenting a mix of sublime and occasionally disgusting experiences

The big infodump chapter

Meaningness • 0 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
📚 Literature Novel Narrative Meditation Romance Buddhism
  1. The post discusses the big infodump chapter of a Tantric Buddhist vampire romance novel, where characters compare notes and pieces fall into place, setting the stage for what's to come.
  2. The narrative structure of the post is the final episode of Act II, establishing the relationship with the supernatural mentor.
  3. The author's spouse's guide to a foundational Dzogchen meditation approach, 'Opening Awareness,' is newly available in a Kindle edition, focusing on meditation that leads to vivid perception, interpersonal clarity, and responsible action.

New vampire novel chapter for Halloween

Meaningness • 0 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
📚 Literature Novel Fiction Writing
  1. The new vampire novel chapter is a major turning point in the plot, revealing what the novel is actually about.
  2. The author faced challenges while writing fiction, realizing that translating a mental movie into a written narrative required filling plot holes and revision.
  3. The novel, initially intended as a crowd-pandering advertisement, experienced a 15-year delay and is now mainly written for the author's enjoyment.