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Author’s Choice

Mother! – Summary & Ending Explained

Mother! – Summary & Ending Explained

Author's Choice, Movies
Darren Aronofsky's Mother! (2017) is a surreal and provocative cinematic experience that defies traditional narrative structures. The film revolves around a nameless couple, played by Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem, living in a secluded, idyllic house. The tranquil life of the couple is disrupted when uninvited guests, played by Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer, arrive, setting off a series of increasingly bizarre and unsettling events. The narrative unfolds with a sense of escalating tension, as the guests' intrusion becomes a catalyst for a descent into chaos and madness. The film explores themes of creation, destruction, the destructive nature of human behavior, and the impact of fame and adoration. As the events spiral out of control, the house transforms into a surreal and n...
Cloud Atlas – Summary & Ending Explained

Cloud Atlas – Summary & Ending Explained

Author's Choice, Books
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell is a literary masterpiece that weaves together six interlinked stories spanning different genres, time periods, and geographic locations. The novel is structured as a nested narrative, with each story interrupted at its midpoint and resumed in reverse order. The stories range from the 19th century to a distant post-apocalyptic future, exploring the themes of interconnectedness, reincarnation, and the enduring impact of human actions. The first narrative, "The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing," follows a 19th-century American notary as he sails across the Pacific. Subsequent tales include a composer's struggles in 1930s Belgium, a journalist's investigation into a nuclear conspiracy in 1970s California, a publisher's comedic misadventures in present-day London,...
Severance (Season 1) – Summary, Theories, Explanation

Severance (Season 1) – Summary, Theories, Explanation

Author's Choice, Series
Severance, the brainchild of creator Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller, immerses viewers into a dystopian world where a mysterious corporation, Lumon Industries, has developed a groundbreaking procedure known as "Work-Life Balance." The series follows the lives of its employees who undergo a surgical separation of their work and personal memories, enabling them to compartmentalize their professional and personal lives entirely. The narrative unfolds through the perspective of Mark, portrayed by Adam Scott, who works at Lumon Industries. Mark navigates the challenges of this radical procedure and the intricacies of the corporate environment. As the plot unravels, it becomes evident that the separation comes with its dark consequences, raising questions about the ethical implicatio...
The Departed – Summary & Ending Explained

The Departed – Summary & Ending Explained

Author's Choice, Movies
Martin Scorsese's The Departed, released in 2006, is a gripping crime thriller that weaves a complex narrative of deception, loyalty, and betrayal within the gritty backdrop of the Boston underworld. The film follows two protagonists on opposite sides of the law: Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), an undercover cop infiltrating the mob, and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), a mole within the police force feeding information to the mob. Set against the backdrop of the Irish mob led by Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson), the Massachusetts State Police devises a plan to infiltrate the criminal organization. Billy Costigan, a young officer with a troubled family history, is chosen to go undercover. Simultaneously, Colin Sullivan, groomed by Costello since childhood, rises through the ranks of the ...
The Brief History of the Dead – Plot Summary & Ending Explained

The Brief History of the Dead – Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Author's Choice, Books
The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier is a thought-provoking exploration of life, death, and the connections that bind us across the realms of existence. The novel unfolds in two parallel narratives, interweaving the experiences of the living and the deceased. In the living world, an epidemic has struck, wiping out vast populations. As people succumb to the mysterious illness, they find themselves transitioning to the City, a surreal afterlife where they continue to exist as long as they are remembered by someone still alive. The City is a vibrant and diverse metropolis where the dead coexist, each person residing in a neighborhood that reflects the memories of those still living. The protagonist, Laura Byrd, is stationed at a remote Antarctic research station, one of the...
The Prestige – Summary & Ending Explained

The Prestige – Summary & Ending Explained

Author's Choice, Movies
Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige," released in 2006, is a masterful exploration of rivalry, obsession, and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of greatness. Set in the world of magic during the late 19th century, the film revolves around two illusionists, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), whose bitter competition leads them down a dark and dangerous path. The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion, adding layers of complexity to the storytelling. The plot is framed by the present-day incarceration of Borden, who is on trial for the murder of Angier. Through a series of flashbacks, the audience learns about the intense rivalry between the two magicians, fueled by personal and professional vendettas. The core of the story is the pursuit of the perf...
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Plot Summary & Ending Explained

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Author's Choice, Books
Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" introduces readers to a gripping tale of mystery, intrigue, and dark secrets. The narrative centers around two protagonists: investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist and enigmatic hacker Lisbeth Salander. The plot kicks off with Blomkvist's conviction for libel against powerful businessman Wennerström. Seeking a temporary escape from the fallout, Blomkvist is hired by wealthy industrialist Henrik Vanger to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his niece, Harriet, from the Vanger family estate nearly 40 years ago. Blomkvist's inquiry draws him into the intricacies of the Vanger family, a web of dysfunction, and long-buried secrets. Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant but troubled hacker with a traumatic past, becomes entangled in Blom...
The Hunger Games – Plot Summary & Ending Explained

The Hunger Games – Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Author's Choice, Books
Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" immerses readers in the dystopian world of Panem, where the Capitol maintains control over its twelve districts by hosting an annual event known as the Hunger Games. The plot unfolds in District 12, home to the impoverished protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, and her family. The story begins with the annual Reaping, a ceremony where one boy and one girl from each district are selected to participate in the Hunger Games—a televised event where contestants, known as tributes, must fight to the death until only one remains. When Katniss' younger sister, Primrose, is chosen, Katniss volunteers to take her place, setting the stage for a harrowing journey. Katniss and her fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta Mellark, are thrust into the Capitol's extravagant and...
The Da Vinci Code – Plot Summary & Ending Explained

The Da Vinci Code – Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Author's Choice, Books
Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" takes readers on a thrilling journey through art, history, and religion, blending a captivating mystery with elements of conspiracy and symbology. The narrative follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu as they unravel a complex puzzle that spans centuries. The story begins with the murder of Jacques Saunière, the curator of the Louvre Museum in Paris. As Langdon becomes entangled in the investigation, he discovers a series of cryptic clues left by Saunière, leading to hidden secrets that challenge established beliefs about Christianity and the Holy Grail. Sophie, Saunière's granddaughter, becomes Langdon's ally, and together they embark on a quest to decipher the codes and symbols that will unlock the mystery. The plot w...
Piranesi – Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Piranesi – Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Author's Choice, Books
"Susanna Clarke's "Piranesi" invites readers into a mesmerizing labyrinth of mystery, solitude, and self-discovery. The novel unfolds within an expansive and surreal house, a vast structure with infinite halls and rooms filled with statues and tidal waters. At the heart of this enigmatic world is the titular character, Piranesi, who diligently explores and documents the intricacies of his labyrinthine domain. The narrative begins with Piranesi's meticulous journal entries, where he records the wonders of his surroundings and the patterns of the tides that ebb and flow through the halls. The House, as he calls it, is inhabited by countless statues, each representing a unique entity in his solitary existence. The only other living presence he acknowledges is "The Other," a mysterious figu...