How do we uphold goodness in a world where it can seem impossible? What are the consequences to the human heart when we fail to live up to the ideals of goodness? These are some of the questions posed by the texts in this collection which explores the theme of Good & Evil.
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Southern Gothic, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Black Lives Matter, Relationships, Race / Racism, Class, Psychological Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Religion / Spirituality
Publication year 2018
Genre Biography, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: Nation
Tags History: European, Politics / Government, Military / War, History: World, Russian Literature, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Biography
Publication year 1978
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction
The Stand is the fourth and longest novel by bestselling author Stephen King, who has written over 60 books to date, including such well-known titles as Carrie (1974), The Shining (1977), Pet Sematary (1983), Misery (1987), and The Green Mile (1996). It falls into the categories of post-apocalyptic science fiction and horror fantasy. When originally published in 1978, The Stand was approximately 800 pages long. This edition represented a compromise on King’s part because his publisher... Read The Stand Summary
Publication year 1903
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Masculinity, Natural World: Place, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose
Tags Mythology, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Fairy Tale / Folklore
The Story of King Arthur and His Knights, written and illustrated by Howard Pyle, was originally published in 1903. Pyle’s Book 1s part of the Arthurian romance genre, which begins with Geoffrey of Monmouth’s introduction of the Arthur character in The History of the Kings of Britain, written in the twelfth century. The Arthurian, or chivalric, romance genre includes texts from many different eras and in many different languages. Pyle’s novel offers an American perspective... Read The Story of King Arthur and His Knights Summary
Publication year 1926
Genre Reference/Text Book, Nonfiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Society: Community
Tags Philosophy, History: World, Science / Nature, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Biography
Publication year 2013
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World
The Storyteller is a best-selling novel by prolific author Jodi Picoult. Published in 2013, it is Picoult’s 20th novel. Picoult is a prolific author known for tackling complex social themes and is the recipient of many awards, including the 2019 Hale Award and a lifetime achievement award from the Romance Writers of America. In The Storyteller, she weaves together several different narratives, delving into complex power dynamics and exploring themes of forgiveness, morality, and freedom... Read The Storyteller Summary
Publication year 1914
Genre Short Story, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Literature, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride
Tags Children's Literature, Education, Education, British Literature, Humor, Classic Fiction
Publication year 1886
Genre Novella, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Classic Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Gothic Literature, Victorian Period, British Literature
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson, is a novella published in the 1880s that deals with the duality of human nature. The story is told from the point of view of Mr. Gabriel John Utterson. Utterson is a lawyer and friend of Dr. Jekyll’s. The book opens with Utterson walking and conversing with Mr. Enfield, who is a businessman and distant cousin. Mr. Enfield recounts to Mr. Utterson... Read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Summary
Publication year 1942
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Colonialism
Tags Classic Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Philosophy, Relationships, Race / Racism, French Literature, Absurdism, Education, Education, History: World, Philosophy
The Stranger is a short novel by French author Albert Camus, published in 1942. The story combines themes of absurdism and existentialism and is considered a classic of 20th-century literature. This guide uses the translation by Stuart Gilbert.Plot SummaryMeursault, a young man living in Algiers, receives a message which tells him that his mother has died. He takes a bus to the retirement home where she lived and stays with her body before the funeral... Read The Stranger Summary
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Flora/plants, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Fantasy, Mythology, Romance, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, LGBTQ, Depression / Suicide, Mental Illness, Grief / Death, Love / Sexuality, Psychology, Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Publication year 1955
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Relationships: Friendship
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Italian Literature, Classic Fiction
The Talented Mr. Ripley, written by Patricia Highsmith, was originally published in 1955 by W. W. Norton & Company. The novel falls within the psychological thriller genre and is the first of five books featuring Tom Ripley, known as The Ripleiad, published between 1955 and 1991. The novel has been adapted twice into film, first in 1960 as a French film titled Purple Noon and again in 1991 under its original title. The 1991 film... Read The Talented Mr. Ripley Summary
Publication year 2003
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Society: Class, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Literature, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Fate, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hope
Tags Fairy Tale / Folklore, Fantasy, Animals, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure, Classic Fiction
Publication year 1984
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Mothers, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Space & The Universe, Society: War, Relationships: Family
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fantasy, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Action / Adventure
The Talisman is a 1984 novel co-written by Stephen King and Peter Straub. It is a fantasy novel with horror elements and has connections to the works in King’s Dark Tower series. The Talisman is a road trip book that tells the story of Jack Sawyer and his quest to save his mother. The Talisman examines themes of lost innocence, coming of age, friendship, the corrupting nature of power, and more.The Talisman has a sequel... Read The Talisman Summary
Publication year 1759
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger
Tags Philosophy, Business / Economics, Sociology, History: World, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Politics / Government
Adam Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) secured its author’s place as one of history’s most celebrated philosophers. Like all great works of moral philosophy, Smith’s book belongs to a tradition that dates to antiquity. The Theory of Moral Sentiments, however, is probably best understood in the context of the 18th-century Scottish Enlightenment, for its argument helps reconcile two otherwise conflicting ideas advanced by two of that era’s intellectual titans. Furthermore, The Theory of... Read The Theory of Moral Sentiments Summary
Publication year 1996
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: Politics & Government
Tags History: World, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Historical Fiction, Mythology
Publication year 1992
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Self Discovery, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Mortality & Death
Tags Action / Adventure, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Religion / Spirituality
Publication year 1934
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Marriage, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Classic Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Great Depression
Publication year 2011
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos
Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Mythology
Publication year 2018
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Identity: Femininity, Natural World: Environment
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, LGBTQ, Gender / Feminism, Health / Medicine, Science / Nature, Chinese Literature, Fantasy
The Tiger Flu by Larissa Lai is a work of dystopian speculative fiction first published in 2018 by Arsenal Pulp Press, an independent publisher based in Vancouver, Canada. With its focus on futuristic technologies that merge and manipulate human biology, The Tiger Flu can be subclassified as a cyber/biopunk thriller. The book won the 2019 Lambda Literary Award, which recognizes and celebrates the best LGBTQ books of the year. A Chinese Canadian, lesbian writer, Larissa... Read The Tiger Flu Summary
Publication year 2019
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Romance