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.

Then

by Morris Gleitzman

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Revenge, Art, Safety & Danger, Good & Evil

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Survival Fiction, Holocaust, World War II, Military & War, Trauma & Abuse, Children`s Literature, World History

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The New Couple in 5B

by Lisa Unger

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Love, Memory, Regret, Revenge, Gender Identity, Friendship, Marriage, Social Class, Community, Art, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Psychological Fiction, Horror & Suspense

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The Only One Left

by Riley Sager

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Power & Greed, Loyalty & Betrayal, Social Class, Siblings, Community, Fathers, Place, The Past, Guilt, Revenge, Disability, Femininity

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Gothic Literature, Realistic Fiction, Trauma & Abuse, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Depression & Suicide, Disability, Grief & Death, Social Class

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The Painted Bird

by Jerzy Kosiński

Publication year 1965

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Revenge

Tags Horror & Suspense, World War II, Military & War, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

Though The Painted Bird is set during the Holocaust, it is not strictly a Holocaust novel. The book is largely metaphorical and deals with the brutality of human nature and how the horrors we perpetrate on each other become part of us. The novel’s protagonist, a boy who is an outsider, or a “painted bird,” witnesses acts of subjugation and cruelty and seeks to understand why some people are more powerful than others. Thematically, the... Read The Painted Bird Summary

The Passengers

by John Marrs

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Fear, Hate & Anger, Love, Memory, Revenge, Mental Health, Death, Future, Environment, Teamwork, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Economics, Education, Globalization, Immigration, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality, Fame, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

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The People Could Fly

by Virginia Hamilton

Publication year 1985

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Equality, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Perseverance, Grief, Hate & Anger, Hope, Joy, Guilt, Revenge, Memory, Death, Animals, Environment, Appearance & Reality, Food, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Fate, Race, Language, Regret, Shame & Pride, Daughters & Sons, Mothers, Teamwork

Tags Fairy Tale & Folklore, Symbolic Narrative, US History, African American Literature, Race & Racism

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The Plot

by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Daughters & Sons, Literature, Revenge

Tags Psychological Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Arts & Culture, Psychology, Trauma & Abuse, Philosophy, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

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The Poison Daughter

by Sheila Masterson

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Revenge, Femininity, Family

Sheila Masterson’s 2025 novel, The Poison Daughter, is a standalone entry in the popular dark romantasy subgenre, which blends high fantasy with dark romance. Set in the walled city of Lunameade, the story follows Harlow Carrenwell, the youngest daughter of the city’s magical ruling family. Cursed with a poison kiss that kills instantly, Harlow secretly operates as the “Poison Vixen,” a vigilante who targets abusive men. Her mission is upended when she is forced into... Read The Poison Daughter Summary

The Power of One

by Bryce Courtenay

Publication year 1989

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Revenge, Friendship

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, World History, Classic Fiction

The Power of One (1989) is a Bildungsroman written by Australian author Bryce Courtenay, largely based on the life and experiences of the author who grew up on a small farm in the Lebombo Mountains in South Africa. It was the only novel published by the author for an American market. He noted that “American publishers [. . .] are interested in books [set] in their own country first and foremost,” but his novel was... Read The Power of One Summary

The Racketeer

by John Grisham

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Revenge, Justice, Politics & Government

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense

The Racketeer is John Grisham’s 30th book. It debuted at the top of the New York Times bestseller list in November 2012. John Grisham has twice won the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and also received the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction. He has written over 35 bestsellers. Eight of his novels have been adapted for film, and one, The Firm, spawned a 2012 television series that takes place 10 years... Read The Racketeer Summary