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 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
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Fate
Tags Children's Literature, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Mythology, LGBTQ
Publication year 2017
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Self Discovery, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage
Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Children's Literature
Publication year 2007
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Society: Colonialism, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Humor, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure
Publication year 1954
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: War, Natural World: Appearance & Reality
Tags Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure
The Two Towers (1954) is the second book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien. The Two Towers is a work of fantasy fiction set in the world of Middle-earth, the setting that Tolkien also used in his earlier 1937 novel, The Hobbit. It continues the quest of Frodo and his companions to destroy the One Ring that they set out on in The Fellowship of the Ring, interweaving the... Read The Two Towers Summary
Publication year 1794
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Lyric Poem, Science / Nature, Romanticism / Romantic Period, Mythology, Animals, Education, Education, British Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction
Publication year -500
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Tags Religion / Spirituality, Philosophy
Publication year 1972
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Siblings, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Auto/Biographical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Survival Fiction, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Children's Literature, Jewish Literature, Military / War, History: World
The Upstairs Room (1972) is a novel based on the experiences of author Johanna Reiss as a Jewish girl during World War II. The novel follows protagonist Annie de Leeuw and her sister Sini as they hide from the Nazis during the German occupation of Holland. Annie’s story, which is told from her first-person perspective, celebrates human resilience and compassion while exploring themes concerning the loss of childhood innocence, the sacrifices people make during wartime... Read The Upstairs Room Summary
Publication year 1985
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Gothic Literature, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
The Vampire Lestat (1985) is a novel by Anne Rice, which was published as a sequel to her 1976 novel Interview with the Vampire. The novel follows the experiences of Lestat de Lioncourt, an 18th-century French nobleman who becomes a vampire. Throughout the work, Rice explores such themes as The Performance of Vampirism and Humanity, The Tensions Between Good and Evil, and The Importance of the Arts. After The Vampire Lestat was published, Rice’s titular... Read The Vampire Lestat Summary
Publication year 1950
Genre Short Story, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Education, Education, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction
“The Veldt” is a science fiction short story by the American author Ray Bradbury, originally published in 1950 in The Saturday Evening Post and included in the book anthology The Illustrated Man the following year. By the early 1950s, Bradbury had earned a reputation for his science fiction works exploring “the hazards of runaway technology” (Encyclopedia Britannica). This guide is based on the story from the collection Ray Bradbury: The Stories of Ray Bradbury, Everyman’s... Read The Veldt Summary
Publication year 1848
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Society: Class
Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Fireside Poets, Religion / Spirituality
Publication year 1984
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Identity: Gender, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction
The Wasp Factory is a 1984 novel by Iain Banks. It is equal parts family drama and horror story, focusing on the teenage narrator, Frank (Frances) Cauldhame. It explores topics of mental health, gender and sexism, revenge, and free will. The Wasp Factory is a controversial novel, given its graphic depictions of violence against animals, and the affectless manner with which Frank describes his crimes against family members and animals. Content Warning: The novel contains... Read The Wasp Factory Summary
Publication year 2010
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Fantasy, Religion / Spirituality, Class, Narrative / Epic Poem, Action / Adventure
The Way of Kings (2010) is the first book in Brandon Sanderson’s ongoing epic fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive. The Way of Kings won Best Novel at the 2011 David Gemmell Legend Awards for fantasy literature and is considered an exemplary and influential entry to the epic fantasy genre. DMG Entertainment purchased the rights to a film adaptation of The Stormlight Archive in 2016, and Arcturus VR released a videogame adaptation of the novel in... Read The Way of Kings Summary
Publication year 1954
Genre Short Story, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Marriage, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Life/Time: Midlife, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Education, Education, Classic Fiction
“The Way Up to Heaven” by Roald Dahl was initially published in 1954 in an issue of The New Yorker magazine and later included in his 1960 short story compilation book Kiss Kiss. The story was also adapted for TV in 1957 and 1979. Dahl is well known for his children’s novels, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Witches, and The Big Friendly Giant, many of which appeal with elements that are unusually... Read The Way Up To Heaven Summary
Publication year 1947
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Society: Community
Tags Classic Fiction, American Literature, History: U.S., History: World
Publication year 2000
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Fantasy, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure
The Wide Window is a middle grade novel first published in 2000. It is published under the name Lemony Snicket, the pen name of novelist, playwright, musician, and screenwriter Daniel Handler. This mock-gothic adventure story blends elements of mystery, humor, and fantasy with a macabre setting in which a family of three orphans—Violet, Sunny, and Klaus Baudelaire—is sent to live with their fearful Aunt Josephine. Throughout the novel, the Baudelaire children must contend with their... Read The Wide Window Summary
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Fantasy, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Competitor... Read The Will of the Many Summary
Publication year 1908
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Literature, Relationships: Friendship, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Flora/plants
Tags Fantasy, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure, Animals, British Literature, Classic Fiction
First published in 1908, The Wind in the Willows by Scottish writer Kenneth Grahame is a story for young readers that recounts the adventures of three animals: Mole, Rat, and Badger. In the woodlands where they live, the trio must deal with various problems—which include frequently rescuing their friend Mr. Toad, who loves thrills and often causes trouble.Widely considered one of the greatest literary works for children, The Wind in the Willows has been reprinted... Read The Wind in the Willows Summary
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Immigration
Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Class, History: World, History: The Americas, History: U.S., Immigration / Refugee, Military / War, Politics / Government, Social Justice, Music, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Race / Racism