Challenging Authority

In this Collection, we've gathered together a selection of fictional and real-life narratives that share the theme of Challenging Authority. These selections feature protagonists and real-world figures who stand up to both powerful individuals and oppressive systems in an array of cultural and historical settings.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August

by Claire North

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Future, Power & Greed

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror & Suspense

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August (2014) is a science fiction thriller by British author Claire North, a pseudonym for Catherine Webb. The novel centers on Harry August, a man who is reborn in the same time and place each time he dies, retaining all his memories. When he learns that the end of the world is accelerating with each life cycle, he must use his unique position in time to uncover the cause... Read The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August Summary

The Five Year Lie

by Sarina Bowen

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Love, Revenge, Objects & Materials, Marriage, Justice, Power & Greed, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Romance

... Read The Five Year Lie Summary

The Frozen River

by Ariel Lawhon

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Gender Identity, Indigenous Identity, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Birth, Animals, Family, Mothers, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Equality, Justice, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Gender & Feminism

... Read The Frozen River Summary

The Future

by Naomi Alderman

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Future, Appearance & Reality, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror & Suspense, LGBTQ+

... Read The Future Summary

The Gambler

by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Publication year 1866

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Wins & Losses, Power & Greed

Tags Classic Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Russian Literature, Existentialism, World History, Romance, Philosophy, Philosophy

... Read The Gambler Summary

The Games Gods Play

by Abigail Owen

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Loneliness, Love, Femininity, Sexual Identity, Death, Appearance & Reality, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Good & Evil, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Romance

... Read The Games Gods Play Summary

The Garden of Love

by William Blake

Publication year 1794

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Guilt, Memory, Grief, Nostalgia, Conflict, Apathy, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Good & Evil, Wins & Losses, Appearance & Reality

Tags Lyric Poem, Religion & Spirituality, World History, British Literature

... Read The Garden of Love Summary

The Gift

by Marcel Mauss

Publication year 1923

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Community, Power & Greed, Shame & Pride

Tags Anthropology, Sociology, Philosophy, Business & Economics, Education, Education, Anthropology, French Literature, World History, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

... Read The Gift Summary

The Girls

by Emma Cline

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Power & Greed

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, Psychological Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

... Read The Girls Summary

The Glass Hotel

by Emily St. John Mandel

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Power & Greed, Economics, Justice

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Business & Economics, Arts & Culture, Social Class, Gender & Feminism, American Literature, Horror & Suspense, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read The Glass Hotel Summary