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Resources for living Part 1.. recommended fiction books and movies (irregularly updated)
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- Published on Sunday, 25 August 2019 18:32
In navigating this very complex, rich - and often terrifying - journey of being human, I've found great help and relief, and even joy and awe, in stories that somehow give meaning to the struggle and pain and hope and delight of this crazy journey of life on earth. Or that help understand the malaise inherent in the egoic structure. (
Of course there are many other forms of creativity, in music, visual art, dance etc that contribute profound meaning and wisdom and delight, but for this entry let's focus on story!).
Sometimes, especially if we're at a flat, low or down point, reading or engaging in a good series can be life-transforming, as our experiences of difficulty are mirrored and validated and, we are reminded of the profundity and gift of what it is to be human.
Coming of age stories such as the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series, or Robin Hobb's incredible series of books that create worlds, traverse key human dilemma's (being chosen ... or not chosen, love, loss, death, redemption, the agony and ecstasy of the fantasy of romantic love .... a full spectrum of dark and light.)
Heartwarming serieses like Ted Lasso (apart from being funny and sexy) help us to feel ... not alone. Often we think of 'watching netflix' as a distraction. I believe great stories are a resource. At times in my life having a good series to sink into has been a bulwark against despondency and despair, and at other times simply a great delight.
In the Wim Wenders movie Wings of Desire (what a trailer!) an angel falls in love with a mortal and relinquishes eternity to experience being with her. (City of Angels with Nick Cage and Meg Ryan is another version of this age-old story). Why would anyone give up heaven, and peace, to dive into the maelstrom? Being immersed in a story, falling in love with the characters we meet on this mortal journey, and experiencing their transformations - and ours - is arguable one the the gifts of this life, if not it's purpose.
The books, movies and serieses listed below are some favourites. The links to book websites like Good Reads give a sense of what the books are about. If you don't already know the booko site, it's fantastic, and provides a real-time comparison of the price of hard copy books from a big range on online booksellers (including the total price with postage separately so you can make a true comparison). And I find my kindle a good way of having my whole library available, plus it's a tablet and shows colour.
This is a screenshot from the Booko website to give you an idea of what it provides.
So ... here are some authors of intelligent fiction that I've particularly enjoyed and that have helped in the discovery of meaning and joy in life. I hope they may also speak to you.
For recommendations of good serieses see here, and for movies here
Books
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley is a fantastic hero's journey tale. The backstory and history of King Arthur's Court, an of Avalon told through the eyes of Arthur's sister, Morgaine
Cutting for Stone is one of the most comperlling, well-written stories I've ever read. Perfect holiday readsing. And the author has just released a new book after many years, which, along with this biography of Stevie Nicks, Gold Dust Woman, will be my summer reading.
And in terms of other good musician biographies, I recommend this bio of Leanoard Cohen.
Astonishing the Gods by Ben Okri: apart from being beautifully, poetically-written, it's an allegory about learning to trust.
The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: a heart-wrenching and hearty-opening story about a deep love.
The Earthsea Quartet by Ursula Le Guin: a profound and deightful tale of ... well, so many aspects of becoming a full human being. The first book, The Wizard of Earthsea, is a great psychological thriller about integrating our shadow. Tehanu (book 4) has won many prizes, and is considered one of the first feminist works of fantasy / sci-fi. The Farthest Shore (book 3) is an amazing tale of journeying to the depth of the underworld (and much more). If you get the Complete Earthsea it also contains a book of stories, Tales from Earthsea, plus The Other Wind, which is almost my favourite of all. If you fall in love with Le Guin, as I did, 3 other books of hers I particularly recommend are: Gifts, Voices and Powers.
A more recent discovery is the writer Robin Hobb. I started with The Liveship Trader series, which is a brilliantly-written and deeply-interesting world in itself. Hobb is one of those people with a vastness of imagination and understanding that shows true genius. The richness of her characters and mining of the range of human experience is a great delight. It has some of the best descriptions of the meeting of two beings in love that I've yet come across. The Rain Wild chronicles take up the story of the dragons. And the books about Fitz and the Fool (George Martin was very influence by Hobb ... imagine if Game of Thrones was actually heartful!). I would honestly say that Robin Hobb is a genius akin to Tolkein and I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels is a story of love and healing. Set during WW2, an archeaologist befriends a boy hiding from the Nazis and adopts him. The film is also very good.
All the light we cannot see and also Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr
(to be continued ....)
For recommendations of good serieses see here, and for movies here