Want to get into reading, but the size of book stores and stacks of books overwhelming you? Well, you have to start somewhere. Here is a compilation of 5 books like Imitation Game that will help you get started.
The Film
The Imitation Game (2014)
Based on the book, Alan Turing: The Enigma, a 1983 biopic written by popular British mathematician and documentary author Andrew Hodges, The Imitation Game is a film based on Alan Turing’s story. Converted successfully into a gripping historic tale, it depicts the decoding of the notoriously difficult World War II Enigma code that contributed colossally to the Allied victory in the war. The mesmerizing plot, paired with the dynamic cast starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, and Matthew Goode, the film sparked interesting discussions about technology, code-breaking, and homosexuality.
These Books
The Essential C.S. Lewis, edited by Lyle W. Dorsett
This is an enlightening collection of C.S. Lewis’ writings – the book features letters written by the classics author, an autobiography, science fiction, fantasy, literary criticism, and poetry. The book gives us a strong insight into the mind of one of the most celebrated and influential authors of the twentieth century. Furthermore, the book also includes complete texts of three of his famous works – The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe, The Abolition of Man and Perelandra.
George Orwell Diaries
Discovered 70 years after they had been written by the literary tycoon, George Orwell Diaries is a compilation of diary entries by the author whose real name is Eric Arthur Blair. The book gives the reader a sneak peek into the life of the wildly popular 1984 and Animal Farm writer. Known only through his works, his diary entries truly express his intensely observant nature that led to his notable works.
Sylvia Plath – Drawings
With a flair for writing riveting tales about rebellious characters, Sylvia Plath is a less known for her artistic skills. This book is a compilation of her pen and ink drawings portfolio, highlighting the time she secretly married novelist Tom Hughes a year before her phenomenal work, The Bell Jar. The book features her drawings of places she travelled to – England, France, and Spain (where she and Tom Hughes went for their honeymoon). But the book goes beyond just drawings – it also features intimate pieces and letters written by the author. A glimpse into the life of another enigmatic personality.
Famous for 15 Minutes – My Years with Andy Warhol by Isabelle Dufresne
Set in the sixties and seventies era, the book is a confessional memoir of Isabelle Dufresne a.k.a Ultra Violet, a French convent educated heiress. The book dwells into her account of meeting and getting to know Andy Warhol, who was introduced to her by her partner, Salvador Dali. She describes the leading American pop art visual artist as a shy, homosexual, albino artist with an aura that is evident also in his work. Her account of the years she spent knowing the artist shows us the personal side of the man behind Campbell’s Soup Cans and Gold Marilyn Monroe.
Jane Austen – Her Life, by Park Honan
A peek into the life, thoughts and opinions, and Jane Austen’s truly moving work, this book is ideal for those searching for inspiration either as a writer or personally. Her work, including Pride & Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Mansfield Park has been cherished for scores and yet, this biography only came into being over 50 years after her books were first published. This work proves one thing well: inquisitiveness is contagious. In her personal life, Austen was the leading woman she wrote often – strong, rebellious and resilient. Reading about her resolve, this biography serves as a source of strength to those who fight social norms everyday [and most of us do].
Have you read any of these books? Tell us what you thought in the comments below.
Featured Image Source: wired.co.uk