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The obsession with romance, vanity, and success all play out in these selections. How far will the ordinary willing to go to reach extraordinary measures?
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The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
This particular tale of obsession is the obsession with vanity. Dorian, a young handsomely vain man decides to get a portrait made of himself. After being so pleased with his appearance, he strikes a deal for his beauty to last forever. Overcome with newfound mania, Dorian commits all kinds of taboo and atrocious things while remaining picture-perfect...or does he?
For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes
What happens when you meet the perfect person for you? For most people, they would do absolutely anything to keep them in their lives. Well Joe Goldberg will go above and beyond that for his mate. When obsession meets love, there are no boundaries, no limits too high that can impede true love. Discover how far Joe goes for his Wonder.
Themes in Curry Barker’s Obsession highlight what the “ideal” girlfriend is, albeit exaggerated. By making his wish, all of Bear’s unnamed desires are granted through Wish Nikki. Characteristics of being overly attentive, having no social life, and constant doting is what is expected of the perfect girlfriend by patriarchal standards. In You Play the Girl, this societal norm is examined and questioned.
The possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas
Based in Zacatecas, Mexico, Alba and her family seek refuge in her fiancée’s family mine to protect them from a violent plague. This haven in the mine slowly turns into a nightmare as Alba’s life is plagued by hallucinations, sickness, and sleepwalking. While Alba is suffering from this strange affliction, her fiancée's cousin moves in with the family and notices that what is affecting Alba is more than some strange sickness.
Immaculate conception : a novel by Ling Ling Huang
Mathilde and Enka are friends who met in art school: one a talented, tortured artist, the other an artist searching for original inspiration. Over the years, Mathilde and her art become more successful; Enka finds herself wrestling with jealousy. After marrying into a wealthy family that produces technology that can inhabit someone else’s mind, Enka uses it as an opportunity to find her own artistic inspiration.
About the Author
Hanna is a Library Associate at DC Public Libraries. She enjoys reading books authored by Octavia Buter, Tayari Jones, and Nnedi Okorafor. Aside from reading she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing sims 4, and painting.