Wednesday 10 March 2010

calling other bibliophiles...

Dear people who read a lot,

I was hoping you could help me out.

Writing the end of this novel is turning out to be a lot like passing healthcare reform, only without the publicity. I've lost count of the number of levels I'm stuck on...

For inspiration, and help on navigating certain things, I'm looking for:

- books where the heroine sacrifices herself (in whatever way) for her hero...

- books where there is some kind of book club involved as either a main theme or just a sub-plot...

- books where a character is passionate about politics

- books where a character is a piano player and/or loves jazz...

Any recommendations?

Thanks in anticipation

Claire L :)

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I'm one of your probably-many blog readers who has not responded before. But I would like to offer two suggestions.

The first is Morley Callaghan, "All the Years of Her Life".

It's not a book, but a short story -- and one drawn in words that are plain and few. The woman is not the center of the work, and neither is her heroism or sacrifice explicit. Callaghan was an accomplished author, and he deliberately chose simple tools to limn a precise emotional moment.

By doing so, he made it timeless. Yet this story resonates with readers as few have in the 75 years since it was written.

The second is Bob Shaw's "The Light of Other Days", also a short story.

The concept he introduces, and the manner in which he introduces it, is rich and emotionally profound.

Both stories are available online. Let me know if you can't find them.

Bill