"It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages," said philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. The texts in this collection depict happy and unhappy marriages—and those that fall somewhere in between.
Publication year 1968
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Marriage
Tags African Literature, Heinemann African Writers
In the opening pages of Bessie Head’s novel When Rain Clouds Gather, Makhaya Maseko, an educated young man, is preparing to cross the border that separates South Africa from Botswana. Makhaya is disillusioned with South African society, which is premised on discrimination against black men such as him. He sets out at night, successfully evades border patrols, and arrives in Botswana. There, he registers with the authorities and meets a welcoming companion, an old man... Read When Rain Clouds Gather Summary
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Marriage, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose
Publication year 2024
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Identity: Race, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Class, Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology
Tags History: World, Biography, Gender / Feminism
Publication year 1962
Genre Play, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Aging, Natural World: Appearance & Reality
Tags Play: Drama, Classic Fiction, Education, Education, History: U.S., American Literature, History: World, Drama / Tragedy
Publication year 1999
Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction
Themes Society: Immigration, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Marriage
Tags Immigration / Refugee, Education, Education, History: U.S., Asian Literature, Chinese Literature
Publication year 2023
Genre Biography, Nonfiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Literature, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Marriage, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Gender / Feminism, Women's Studies (Nonfiction)
Publication year 2025
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Marriage
Publication year 2024
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: The Past
Tags Irish Literature, Literary Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 1992
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Marriage
Tags Romance, Gender / Feminism, Modern Classic Fiction, LGBTQ
Written on the Body is a short novel by British author Jeanette Winterson. Several international publications followed the original 1992 publication of the book. The text, which is a first-person narrative, is directed at an adult reading audience. The narrative, which presents accounts of numerous love affairs, also ruminates on the nature of love, fidelity, spirituality, and death. Winterson, who was raised by members of a Pentecostal Church, trained as a missionary and started to... Read Written On The Body Summary
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Midlife, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Flora/plants, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Marriage, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Literature
Publication year 2023
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Relationships: Marriage, Self Discovery
Tags Gender / Feminism, Parenting