Revenge

Sir Walter Scott called revenge "the sweetest morsel to the mouth that was ever cooked in hell." We are often counseled to rise above slights, grievances, and injuries, but still, the temptation and promise of revenge remain. This thematic collection gathers texts that investigate what prompts us to hunger for revenge and where this hunger leads us.

The Hungry Woman

by Cherríe Moraga

Publication year 2001

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Hate & Anger, Hope, Love, Revenge, Gender Identity, Indigenous Identity, Language, Mental Health, Race, Sexual Identity, Death, Mothers, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Drama, LGBTQ+, Gender & Feminism, Science Fiction

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The Hunting Party

by Lucy Foley

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Revenge, Fear, Conflict, Forgiveness, Loneliness, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Friendship

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

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The Interlopers

by Saki

Publication year 1919

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Revenge, Hate & Anger, Family

Tags Horror & Suspense, Education, Education, British Literature, Classic Fiction

“The Interlopers” is one of the best-known short stories by British author Hector Hugh Munro (H. H. Munro), who wrote under the pseudonym Saki. As is typical of the author’s style, the story uses nature to question the morals and manners of humanity, especially of the more elite classes. Saki is also known for his twist endings, of which this story is a prime example. Other works by Saki include “The Open Window” and “The... Read The Interlopers Summary

The Jasad Heir

by Sara Hashem

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Love, Revenge, Gender Identity, Coming of Age, The Past, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Community, Nation, War, Justice

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Mythology, Action & Adventure

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The Lemonade Crime

by Jacqueline Davies

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Justice, Forgiveness, Friendship, Revenge

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Mystery & Crime Fiction

The Lemonade Crime is the sequel to Jacqueline Davies’s elementary school reader novel The Lemonade War. Published in 2011, this follow-up continues the story of entrepreneurial siblings Evan and Jessie, solving the mystery of the theft that ended the first novel. The key question of the novel is about the best way to right a wrongdoing: Is it through vengeance or justice? By setting the climax of The Lemonade Crime at a mock trial organized... Read The Lemonade Crime Summary

The Libation Bearers

by Aeschylus

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Hate & Anger, Revenge, Family, Mothers, Justice, Power & Greed

Tags Tragedy, Mythology, Ancient Greece, Classical Period, Dramatic Literature, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Libation Bearers is an ancient Greek tragedy by the Athenian playwright Aeschylus, first produced in 458 BCE at the City Dionysia in Athens. Libation Bearers is the second part of the Oresteia, a trilogy exploring the themes of justice, retribution, and the cyclical pattern of bloodshed within the family of the mythical king Agamemnon. Following the events of Agamemnon, the first tragedy of Aeschylus’s Oresteia, the play depicts the murder of Clytaemestra, the queen of... Read The Libation Bearers Summary

The Lies of Locke Lamora

by Scott Lynch

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Guilt, Memory, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Order & Chaos, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Religion & Spirituality, Death, Childhood & Youth, The Past, Coming of Age, Language, Family, Teamwork, Social Class, Community, Politics & Government, Nation

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Crime Fiction

The Lies of Locke Lamora, written by Scott Lynch and published in 2006, is the first entry in the Gentleman Bastards series. These novels mix caper stories and fantasy stories and include adventure, violence, dark humor, and intimate friendships. The Lies of Locke Lamora is an international best seller and was nominated for multiple awards. The other entries in the series are Red Seas Under Red Skies, The Republic of Thieves, and The Thorn of... Read The Lies of Locke Lamora Summary

The Lincoln Highway

by Amor Towles

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Loyalty & Betrayal, Revenge, Siblings, Family, Friendship, Fathers, Hate & Anger

Tags Historical Fiction, Incarceration, Mental Illness, Trauma & Abuse, Social Class, World History, Action & Adventure

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The Little Liar

by Mitch Albom

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Hate & Anger, Regret, Revenge, Death, Family, War, Justice

Tags Historical Fiction, World War II, Holocaust, Jewish Literature, Military & War, World History

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The Looking Glass Wars

by Frank Beddor

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Revenge, Conflict, Good & Evil, Power & Greed, Hate & Anger

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Action & Adventure

Frank Beddor’s The Looking Glass Wars (2006) is a reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s Victorian fairy tale Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and its sequel, Alice Through the Looking-Glass (1871). The Looking Glass Wars is the first book in the middle-grade fantasy trilogy of the same name, followed by Seeing Redd (2007) and ArchEnemy (2009).The novel uses several of Carroll’s iconic figures, including Alice, the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, and the White Rabbit. Beddor... Read The Looking Glass Wars Summary