Discover books similar to "Wise Children"
Angela Carter
Wise Children
3.94
"Wise Children" by Angela Carter is a delightful and subversive novel that explores the themes of identity, family, and show business. The story is narrated by Dora Chance, a 75-year-old chorus girl who looks back on her unconventional childhood and tumultuous life. Dora and her twin sister Nora are the illegitimate daughters of a famous but absent Shakespearean actor, Sir Melchior Hazard, and his estranged twin brother, Peregrine. The novel is a rich tapestry of stories within stories, as Dora recounts the twins' experiences growing up in the theater world, their relationships with various lovers and family members, and their eventual reunion with their father on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Along the way, Carter weaves in references to Shakespearean plays, fairy tales, and mythology, creating a fantastical and imaginative landscape that is both familiar and strange. One of the strengths of "Wise Children" is its exploration of the complexities of family relationships. The twins' relationship with their father is fraught with tension and longing, as they struggle to reconcile their love for him with his neglect and rejection. The novel also examines the ways in which family history and identity are intertwined, as Dora and Nora come to terms with their own past and forge their own paths in life. Carter's prose is rich and evocative, full of wit and humor. She has a keen eye for detail, bringing to life the sights, sounds, and smells of the theater world and the vibrant characters that inhabit it. At the same time, she challenges conventional notions of identity, gender, and class, offering a fresh and subversive perspective on the world. Overall, "Wise Children" is a joyful and thought-provoking novel that celebrates the power of imagination, the resilience of the human spirit, and the importance of family, in all its forms. Whether you're a fan of Shakespeare, fairy tales, or just a good story well told, this book is sure to captivate and inspire...
List of books similar to "Wise Children":
Angela Carter
The Bloody Chamber
If you enjoyed the magical realism and feminist themes present in 'Wise Children', you'll love 'The Bloody Chamber'. This collection of short stories reimagines classic fairy tales with a dark, subversive twist, exploring the inner lives and desires of women.
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Erin Morgenstern
The Night Circus
Fans of Carter's lush, imaginative prose will find much to love in 'The Night Circus'. This novel follows the story of two young magicians who are bound together in a mysterious competition, all set against the backdrop of a fantastical circus that appears and disappears without warning.
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Susanna Clarke
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Like 'Wise Children', 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' is a novel that blends historical fiction with elements of fantasy and magical realism. Set in early 19th-century England, the story follows the lives of two magicians who seek to bring magic back into a world that has forgotten its power.
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Sarah Perry
The Essex Serpent
If you enjoyed the complex, morally ambiguous characters in 'Wise Children', you'll appreciate the characters in 'The Essex Serpent'. This novel follows the story of a widow who moves to a small village in Essex, where she becomes embroiled in a mystery involving a legendary sea creature and the town's various residents.
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Helene Wecker
The Golem and the Jinni
Fans of Carter's exploration of myth and folklore will enjoy 'The Golem and the Jinni', which tells the story of a golem and a jinni who are brought to life in 19th-century New York City. As they navigate the challenges of living in a new world, they must also confront their own desires and destinies.
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Neil Gaiman
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
If you enjoyed the sense of wonder and imagination present in 'Wise Children', you'll appreciate the magical realism in 'The Ocean at the End of the Lane'. This novel tells the story of a man who returns to his childhood home, where he encounters a mysterious pond that holds the key to his past and the secrets of the universe.
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Michel Faber
The Crimson Petal and the White
Fans of Carter's exploration of sexuality and gender will appreciate the complex themes present in 'The Crimson Petal and the White'. Set in Victorian London, the novel follows the story of a prostitute who seeks to escape her past and build a better life for herself, encountering various challenges and obstacles along the way.
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Donna Tartt
The Secret History
If you enjoyed the dark, subversive themes present in 'Wise Children', you'll appreciate the twisted world of 'The Secret History'. This novel tells the story of a group of classics students at a small college who become embroiled in a murder plot, exploring the ways in which privilege and power can corrupt even the most seemingly innocent of individuals.
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Jeffrey Eugenides
The Virgin Suicides
Like 'Wise Children', 'The Virgin Suicides' is a novel that explores the inner lives and desires of women, albeit in a very different setting and time period. Set in the 1970s, the novel follows the story of five sisters who
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