The Power & Perils of Fame

In this thematic Collection, explore The Power & Perils of Fame through works that discuss the highs and lows of having a following. Featuring autobiographical accounts from those who have achieved celebrity status as well as fictional works, these titles examine the nature of fame, both historically and in contemporary settings, as they explore topics such as power, pressure, and privacy.

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Fame, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Friendship, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: The Past

Tags Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Children's Literature, Humor

In 2014’s The Fourteenth Goldfish, by Jennifer L Holm, an aging scientist turns himself into a teenager who must re-enter middle school alongside his granddaughter while they plot to get him back into his lab to finish his brilliant work. A humorous science-fiction novel for middle-grade readers, The Fourteenth Goldfish is the first in a two-book series.   New York Times Bestselling author Holm has written nearly 60 books for young readers, including the May Amelia... Read The Fourteenth Goldfish Summary


Publication year 2024

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Midlife, Relationships: Family, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Fame

Tags Biography, History: World


Publication year 2025

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies


Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Music, Identity: Femininity, Values/Ideas: Fame

Tags Romance, New Adult, Love / Sexuality, Modern Classic Fiction, Music


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Fame

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Internet Culture / Social Media


Publication year 1968

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Life/Time: Aging, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Fame

Tags Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure


Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Disability, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Play: Drama, Animals, History: World, Drama / Tragedy


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Identity: Race, Identity: Sexuality, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Marriage, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Gender / Feminism, Internet Culture / Social Media, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

The Long Way Home (2014) is the 10th novel in the Inspector Gamache series written by the Canadian author Louise Penny. Like the other books in the series, the novel revolves around the village of Three Pines, Quebec, although it also encompasses events in other places. In addition to a central mystery focused on a wife’s attempt to find her estranged husband, the novel explores themes of art, creativity, ambition, and loss. This guide references... Read The Long Way Home Summary


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Fame, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Literature

Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction, Romance


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Equality, Society: Class, Society: Economics, Relationships: Fathers, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Marriage, Values/Ideas: Fame, Identity: Femininity, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride

Tags Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Class, Finance / Money / Wealth, Gender / Feminism, History: U.S., Leadership/Organization/Management, Relationships, History: World, Romance


Publication year 1924

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Identity: Masculinity, Values/Ideas: Fame

Tags Religion / Spirituality, Roaring Twenties, Christian literature, Leadership/Organization/Management, Business / Economics, Education, Education


Publication year 2023

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Art, Life/Time: The Past, Values/Ideas: Fame

Tags Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, History: World, Arts / Culture


Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Fame

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Bullying, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2013

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags History: U.S., Politics / Government, Crime / Legal, Children's Literature, History: World, Biography


Publication year 1987

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Fame

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Humor, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Fame, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: The Past, Society: Education, Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: War, Relationships: Fathers, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Society: Nation, Self Discovery

Tags Fantasy, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure, Class

In The Ruins of Gorlan, a Medieval adventure-fantasy novel for middle-grade readers, young Will learns the arts of the secretive Ranger tracker-warriors and defends his kingdom against an evil baron. Released in 2004 by author John Flanagan, The Ruins of Gorlan won multiple awards, spawned the bestselling Ranger Apprentice book series, and has been published in 18 countries. A television adaptation is in the works.Following a long career in advertising, author Flanagan shifted to book... Read The Ruins of Gorlan Summary


Publication year 1905

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Fame, Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Tags American Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction


Publication year 1895

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Values/Ideas: Fame, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Art, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Natural World: Appearance & Reality

Tags Play: Drama, Play: Tragedy, Play: Comedy / Satire, Russian Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

While Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull is now regarded as one of his most famous plays, it was not until the second time it premiered in Russia that it garnered success. Written in 1895 and first produced the following year, The Seagull is set against the backdrop of a summer country home, and tackles The Consequences of Disillusionment, The Purpose of Art, and the price of Living in the Shadow of a Renowned Parent. Chekhov relies... Read The Seagull Summary


Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Fame

Tags Historical Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, LGBTQ

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (2017) is a work of historical fiction by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The novel follows Monique, a journalist struggling to make a name for herself until she receives an offer to interview the mysterious and reclusive 1960s Hollywood starlet, Evelyn Hugo, about fame, scandal, and love. The novel is a study of human nature that explores The Cost of Fame, The Oversexualization and Commodification of Women’s Bodies, and the difficulty... Read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Summary