We can call it destiny; we can call it providence; we can even call it the will of the gods. Whatever words we use, the idea that the events in our lives are beyond our control is powerful — which explains why so many authors, past and present, have used the ever-relevant idea of fate to communicate rich lessons about humanity.
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Teams, Society: Colonialism, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Publication year 2000
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Fate
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction
Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin is actually three narratives in one. In the novel's frame narrative, we meet Iris Chase Griffen, one of the few surviving members of the once-wealthy Chase family of Port Ticonderoga, Canada. As the book opens, she is preparing to present a creative writing award endowed in memory of her deceased sister, Laura—the ostensible author of the novel-within-a-novel (also named The Blind Assassin). Now close to death herself, Iris decides to... Read The Blind Assassin Summary
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Objects, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Siblings, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Tags Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction
Publication year 1992
Genre Novella, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Fate
Tags Romance, Arts / Culture, Love / Sexuality, Relationships, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction
A world-traveling photographer and a farmer’s wife connect in a sudden, impossible romance in The Bridges of Madison County, a 1992 novel by Robert James Waller. Lauded by critics as a soaring, spiritual story of true love thwarted, but ridiculed by others for greeting-card sentimentality, Bridges became a #1 New York Times bestseller and stayed on the list for three years. With theater and film adaptations, it is one of the most widely read books... Read The Bridges of Madison County Summary
Publication year 2009
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Grandparents, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Teams, Identity: Disability, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Gender, Identity: Race, Society: Immigration, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: War, Society: Nation, Self Discovery, Society: Politics & Government, Natural World: Place, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: Midlife, Life/Time: Mortality & Death
Tags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Sports, Realistic Fiction, History: World
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Natural World: Place, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Tags Fantasy, History: World
Publication year 2018
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Fate, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, LGBTQ
Publication year 1928
Genre Short Story, Fiction
Themes Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Gothic Literature, Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Race / Racism
Publication year 1985
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Classic Fiction
Publication year 2017
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Grandparents, Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Japanese Literature, Contemporary Literature
Publication year 2007
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Fate, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past
Tags Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure
Publication year 2007
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Fate, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Relationships: Marriage
Tags Romance, Love / Sexuality, Modern Classic Fiction, Drama / Tragedy
Nicholas Sparks’s The Choice (2007) is a traditional romance novel that delves into the complexities of love, choices, and life’s unforeseen events. The story unfolds in the picturesque coastal town of Beaufort, North Carolina, where Travis Parker, an easygoing bachelor, encounters a life-changing series of events when Gabby Holland, a determined medical student, becomes his neighbor. The novel examines the themes of Coincidence Versus Destiny, Choices and Their Consequences, and Challenges to Romantic Relationships.Sparks is... Read The Choice Summary
Publication year 2024
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Midlife, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Literary Fiction, Gothic Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World
Publication year 1983
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Society: Economics, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Values/Ideas: Fate
Tags Fantasy, Humor, Action / Adventure, Satire, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Publication year 2023
Genre Essay Collection, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Flora/plants, Natural World: Food, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Natural World: Objects, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Family, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Globalization, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Animals, Science / Nature
Publication year 2001
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Fate, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Tags Lyric Poem, Confessional
Publication year 1848
Genre Reference/Text Book, Nonfiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Fate
Tags Politics / Government, Industrial Revolution, Sociology, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction
The Communist Manifesto is a political pamphlet written by German philosophers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. First written in German, the Manifesto was initially published in London in 1848. Marx was the primary author, while Engels edited the text and assisted Marx financially. They wanted to present a working set of guidelines and principles for their European socialist allies and to offer a text that communists all over the world could use to support their... Read The Communist Manifesto Summary
Publication year 1912
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Objects, Natural World: Place, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology
Tags Lyric Poem, Satire, Science / Nature, Technology, Class, Edwardian Era
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Mental Health, Relationships: Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Music, Natural World: Appearance & Reality
Tags Magical Realism, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Race / Racism, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness, Fantasy
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Marriage, Self Discovery, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Romance, Fantasy, New Adult, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Religion / Spirituality