Brothers & Sisters

Whether marked by protective tenderness or tense rivalry, sibling bonds are like none other. This thematic collection offers insights into the unique dynamics of brothers and sisters.

Publication year 1991

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Identity: Disability, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Siblings

Tags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Drama / Tragedy, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is the debut novel by Academy Award-nominated writer Peter Hedges. Set in 1989, the novel is a coming-of-age story about a young man whose life is overshadowed by the tragedy and family drama that surround him. The novel was a critical success upon its release in 1991 and was adapted into a movie starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio in 1993, for which Hedges also wrote the screenplay. This study guide... Read What's Eating Gilbert Grape Summary


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Identity: Race, Relationships: Siblings

Tags Race / Racism, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Siblings, Relationships: Family

Tags Irish Literature, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Siblings, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Music

Tags Romance, New Adult


Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Identity: Gender, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Siblings

Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Romance, Fairy Tale / Folklore, LGBTQ, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 1988

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Relationships: Siblings, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Tags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Grief / Death, Education, Education

Michael Cunningham’s short story “White Angel” was published first in the New Yorker in 1987 and later as a chapter in his 1990 novel A Home at the End of the World. Cunningham has won several major literary awards, including the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his novel The Hours. “White Angel” is written in a realist style, poetic and at times humorous. The author uses symbolism to illustrate the narrator’s preoccupation with time... Read White Angel Summary


Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Siblings

Tags Religion / Spirituality, Classic Fiction, Ancient Greece, Mythology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classical Period, History: World, Fantasy

“Works and Days” is a didactic poem by Hesiod dating to approximately the eighth century BCE. Hesiod begins the poem with the traditional invocation to the muses, but he deviates slightly from this tradition by including personal information; the poem is an explanation of a dispute between Hesiod and his brother Perses over a family inheritance. The poem’s thematic concerns, which Hesiod explores by arguing how harmful his brother’s actions are not only to himself... Read Works and Days Summary


Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Identity: Race, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Self Discovery, Identity: Femininity, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Immigration / Refugee, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Indian Literature


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Sexuality, Identity: Masculinity, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Siblings, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Love

Tags LGBTQ, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Addiction / Substance Abuse, Bullying, Class, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Love / Sexuality, History: European, British Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Courage