Overcoming existential angst and finding meaning in a possibly meaningless world
I am looking for books where characters must defy a pervasive sense of nihilism and find meaning and connection. Ultimately, I feel like what I’m looking for is something cozy and human that defies the chaos or the world.
Maybe A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles – it’s about a Russian aristocrat who is put under house arrest in a hotel after the Russian Revolution and how he manages to create a meaningful life for himself through connection with others, even in challenging circumstances. It’s a really lovely book if you want something optimistic and life affirming.
-rba- on
A Psalm for the Wild Built
Staring at the Sun (nonfiction)
FleshBloodBone on
Older book, “The Stranger,” by Camus. But probably not “cozy.”
Newer book, “A Ballroom for Ghost Dancing,” by Duffy. The former is more old school, very well renowned. The latter is modern, so it’s funnier (though still sorrowful) and has more relatable characters and dialogue, but it still confronting finding meaning in a tragic and uncaring universe.
Ok_Breakfast8672 on
Maybe try the House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune! I’d say it’s a whimsical take on the themes you mentioned.
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Maybe A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles – it’s about a Russian aristocrat who is put under house arrest in a hotel after the Russian Revolution and how he manages to create a meaningful life for himself through connection with others, even in challenging circumstances. It’s a really lovely book if you want something optimistic and life affirming.
A Psalm for the Wild Built
Staring at the Sun (nonfiction)
Older book, “The Stranger,” by Camus. But probably not “cozy.”
Newer book, “A Ballroom for Ghost Dancing,” by Duffy. The former is more old school, very well renowned. The latter is modern, so it’s funnier (though still sorrowful) and has more relatable characters and dialogue, but it still confronting finding meaning in a tragic and uncaring universe.
Maybe try the House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune! I’d say it’s a whimsical take on the themes you mentioned.
{{ Anxious People by Fredrik Backman}}