The Earth and its species are complex. This means that, in our current socio-economic state, we may want to broaden our perspectives on the world. It can be beneficial to oppose your current beliefs in order to develop further by reading books that explore those opposing beliefs. The following books reflect the current state of the world. Perhaps these books can also cause you to reflect the current state of the world.
The Poppy War
The Poppy War, written by R.F. Kuang, is a well-known piece of fantasy literature that touches on heavy topics such as mutilation, sexual violence, child abuse, and depictions of genocide. Reflecting on and correlating these topics to the world we know now makes the book not only heavy on your heart but also on your mind. The Poppy War tells the story of Fang Rin Runin, who is accepted to a prestigious military academy. She discovers her shamanic powers during the war, after which she becomes entangled in political problems.
The Bell Jar
The Bell Jar, written by Sylvia Plath, explores the life of Esther Greenwood. Esther struggles with multiple mental illnesses and with upholding the expectations that are set for her as a woman. The 21st century has one of the highest rates of mental illnesses that has been recorded in history. The representation of Esther is not only interesting from a psychological perspective but also from a sociological perspective, highlighting how, as a society, we tend to neglect those with poorer mental health.
An Artist of the Floating World
This book focuses on a well-structured theme: the fleetingness of this world. Masuji Ono, a painter in Tokyo after the Second World War, reflects on his life, his decisions, and the surrounding changes. The story deals with the complexity of memories and how one copes with these when the societal status quo changes drastically. The question then becomes: what will Masuji Ono do with all these reflections? Will he change his future decisions?
Against the Loveless World
The novel tells the narrative of Nahr, a Palestinian woman who is jailed by the Israeli government after returning to Palestine to join the resistance. The social and emotional complexities parallel events that are happening around the world as you read this blog. This is a reminder that this specific book is fiction, but that doesn’t take away from the lessons that we can learn from the perspective of Nahr, her peers, and the struggles of those under occupation.
Letters to Milena
Letters to Milena, by the author Franz Kafka, explores the complexities of love, and more specifically, a long-distance relationship. Franz Kafka and Milena communicated through their letters, expressing their feelings in a way that extends beyond mundane love letters. Throughout the centuries, humans have connected through love, which has always been a complex emotion. With the rise of social media connections, many people experience love through long-distance relationships, yet some people criticize them for it because they consider such relationships as less genuine. Franz Kafka and Milena prove otherwise through their correspondences.