Showing results for "Youth" in Genre Fiction

The second instalment of J. M. Coetzee's fictionalized 'memoir' explores a young man's struggle to experience life to its full intensity and transform it into art. The narrator of Youthhas long been plotting an escape - from the stifling love of his overbearing mother, a father whose failures haunt him, and what he is sure is an impending revolution in his native country of South Africa. Arriving at last in London in the 1960s, however, he finds neither poetry nor romance and instead begins a dark pilgrimage into adulthood.

Youth by Kevin Curran dives into the lives of four teenagers in Ireland's most diverse town, Balbriggan. Angel is about to finish school and discover if Drill music and his YouTube fame can deliver on their promises. Princess is battling to escape her claustrophobic surroundings and go to university. Dean is ready to come out from under his famous father's shadow. Tanya, struggling with the spotlight of internet infamy, is still posting her dream life for all of her faithful followers.

As his family splinters, worlds collide, and the police block all routes out of town, Nick Twisp must cope with economic deprivation, homelessness, the gulag of the public schools, a competitive Type-A father, murderous canines (in triplicate), and an inconvenient hair trigger on his erectile response, all while vying ardently for the affections of the beauteous Sheeni Saunders, teenage goddess and ultimate intellectual goad. He's smart, he's horny, he's resourceful, and he's on the loose.

A Better Place is the story of two boys from two completely different worlds struggling to find themselves amongst a whirlwind of confusion. Will the strength they find in each other be enough to overcome the hatred and abuse of others? The unlikely pair struggle through friendship and heartbreaks, betrayal and hardships, to find the deepest desire of their hearts.

Youth, although written over a century ago, is just as relevant to humans today and I believe for all time. Here Conrad addresses the dimming of our mortal light, that subtle realization in all of us that we are no longer as vital as we once were. That mark in time when we acknowledge to ourselves that we are aging, growing old, dying.

A charming, quirky memoir from British author Arthur Calder-Marshall, recalling his youth in 1920s England. The title needs to be taken quite literally as much of the narrative revolves around the shadowy figure of occultist Aleister Crowley, at the height of his dubious powers during this era. As boys growing up in a small country town, Arthur and his brother befriend an eccentric poet, whom they dub Vicky Bird—in fact a fairly well-known literary figure called Victor Neuberg. He is haunted by some romantic tragedy in his past, in which Crowley may be implicated. 

Among Jane Austen's favorite novels, and a key work in the rise of Romanticism, Camilla follows the story of three young women, from childhood to young adulthood, and their pursuit of matrimony. Kind but naive Camilla is in love with Edgar Mandlebert, a handsome and noble young man. Intelligent Eugenia, destined to inherit her uncle's great wealth, is plagued with misfortune as she is left disfigured by smallpox and has men court her for financial gain only. Meanwhile their cousin, beautiful but selfish Indiana, never finds a fortune for her good looks.

Blending fact and fiction, this trilogy by a very young Tolstoy centres on the inner life of Nikolai as he navigates the universal challenge of growing up. In relating his thoughts and feelings, his self-awareness and embarrassing mistakes, the work is timeless: regardless of era, location and environment, we are given an unvarnished portrait of one boy—both self-important and self-deprecating—as he tries to find his place in the world. The sense of nostalgia, with its strange blend of sadness and solace, is tangible as the years pass and the child becomes a young man.

Tim was the quarterback of his high school team, but now he faces a larger challenge. He’s eager to follow in the footsteps of his brother and play football for Indiana University, but can he even get off the bench? Before the season begins, Tim makes a terrible mistake that threatens his reputation, his relationship with his boyfriend, and even his ability to play on the team. Tim’s first year at IU could be his last, but he is determined to succeed.

The continuing adventures from Isabel Dalhousie, Edinburgh philosopher and curious observer of the behaviour of her fellow man.

Devon is determined to create a new life for himself as a freshman at Indiana University. He struggles to put his troubled past behind him and keep it from poisoning his new relationships. After a promising start Devon's resolve weakens, but he refuses give up his dream. The moment Devon meets Dorian Gray he knows his life will change forever. Dorian Gray is rich, charming, and the most beautiful young man Devon has ever beheld.

Marlow—the narrator of Lord Jim and Heart of Darkness—tells the story of his first voyage to the exotic, romantic East, as a 20-year-old second officer of the ancient barque Judea. It is a story of almost comical disaster—and of the resilience of youthful hope and enthusiasm.

The Sandlot Legacy: Chronicles of Youth and Baseball, an award-winning tale, invites you into a world where dreams are woven into reality through determination, resilience, and the transformative spirit of baseball. Journey alongside our protagonist, Jack Thompson, a dreamer undeterred by skeptics who dares to reach for the stars against all odds. This beautifully penned narrative unearths the profound power of mentorship, encapsulated in the bond between Jack and his mentor, Mr. Davis. Their relationship shines a spotlight on how an act of belief can catalyze someone to achieve their dreams.

'Vivid, memorable and beautifully crafted’ - Sarah Moss, author of Summerwater 'A brilliant collection, from a remarkable talent' - Joseph O'Connor, author of Shadowplay Hearts and Bones is a book about relationships. It explores what love does to us, and how we survive it. A young woman...

"Youth for you, when you can appreciate it most." A blessing? A curse? One pill can restore the aged, the infirm, the terminally ill to the sprightly, energetic days of their early twenties. One pill reverses cancer, strengthens bones, restores eyesight...makes the user young again.

In these two magnificent novellas Conrad explores the question of self-discovery through powerful and exciting narratives: in Youth, the experienced seaman Marlow tells the story of a young man's coming of age on his first voyage to the East, while in Heart of Darkness he describes with terrifying depth and vividness the slide into corruption of an idealistic trader.

What if your very first dance could sweep you into a world of dazzling lights, laughter, and unforgettable magic? In "Her First Ball", Katherine Mansfield tells the enchanting story of eighteen-year-old Leila, a wide-eyed country girl visiting the city for the first time. Stepping into her cousin’s grand ball, she is mesmerized by swirling gowns, sparkling chandeliers, and the thrill of being noticed. Every smile, every dance, every glittering detail overwhelms her with joy and wonder - until a cynical older man delivers a sharp reminder that youth and beauty are fleeting.

Friends and family gather in stately Graymoor Mansion to celebrate the holiday season, but a blizzard traps them in the massive Victorian home Christmas Eve and all of Christmas Day. To entertain themselves, the guests take turns sharing their Christmas memories and special holiday stories. Join Sean, his family, and his friends in their Christmas celebration. There's plenty of food, including wonderful desserts, Christmas cookies, and steaming hot cocoa to go with this set of Christmas tales.

Colin is enthusiastic about the challenge awaiting him on the wrestling mat as a member of the Indiana University Wrestling Team. He’s determined to focus on wrestling and equally as determined to avoid a serious relationship with either sex. His plans begin to go awry when he meets a member of the Alpha Alpha Omega Fraternity and is introduced to bike racing. His plans are further derailed when he meets Haakon, a handsome freshman from Norway who shares his athletic interests.

From Tolstoy's introspective reflections on the passage of time in Boyhood, Childhood, Youth to Dostoevsky’s exploration of ideological turmoil in Demons, these stories present the raw complexities of personal and societal transformation. Dombey and Son captures Dickens' powerful critique of Victorian society, while Shirley examines the life of a strong, independent woman challenging the conventions of her era.