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    539 Results with the "Fiction" genre


    • Chapter

      The Stuntman

      The Stuntman Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the artist G, who begins painting upside down as a radical response to his artistic and existential crisis. Initially, his inverted paintings appear accidental, but their deliberate nature is confirmed by his signature. This innovation earns critical acclaim, reinforcing G’s reputation despite his lingering resentment toward the art world, which had harshly criticized his early work. G’s wife observes that his inversion technique inadvertently mirrors the "female condition"—a…
    • Story

      Parade

      Parade Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Rachel Cusk’s Parade is a sharp meditation on performance, identity, and art. Following a renowned theater director, the novel explores the blurred lines between reality and illusion as she navigates creative ambition and personal disillusionment. With Cusk’s signature precision, Parade questions the roles we play in life.
    • Cortés’s Dream Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin This chapter centers on the pivotal encounter between Hernán Cortés and Moctezuma, the Aztec emperor, in the blue throne room of Tenochtitlan. The scene is laden with tension, as Cortés and his men are forced to adhere to strict ceremonial protocols—removing weapons, veiling their faces, and maintaining silence until addressed. Moctezuma, though seemingly hospitable, exudes an air of controlled power, while Cortés struggles between arrogance and nervousness. The cultural divide is stark: Cortés,…
    • III After the Nap Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the cihuacoatl, Tilipotonqui, navigating the chaotic aftermath of political decisions made by Emperor Moctezuma, particularly regarding the arrival of the Caxtilteca (Spanish conquistadors). The empire is beset by crises: venison shortages due to Otomí warriors disrupting hunts, a Texcoca civil war affecting lake trade, and the resurgence of the Quetzalcoatl cult. Beneath these surface issues pulses a deeper tension—Moctezuma’s waning trust in Tilipotonqui and rumors of…
    • II. Moctezuma’s Nap Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the ritual precision of Moctezuma’s afternoon nap—an act of imperial discipline that momentarily suspends the entire machinery of the Aztec empire. The silence demanded by his sleep is profound, yet its cessation, marked by the ringing of a silver bell, sends ripples through Tenochtitlan like a stone dropped in water. This carefully orchestrated pause becomes a metaphor for the fragile calm before historical upheaval, as the emperor’s rest coincides with the Spaniards’ uneasy…
    • I. Before the Nap Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a charged diplomatic lunch between Cortés's conquistadors and Aztec nobility in the palace of Axayacatl, where cultural tensions surface immediately. Captain Jazmín Caldera's visceral disgust at sharing a meal with blood-smeared priests underscores the Spaniards' alienation in this sophisticated yet alien world. Cortés, ever the strategist, tests boundaries by boasting of his Tlaxcalan allies—a gambit that backfires when Princess Atotoxtli extracts the truth from Caldera about…
    • Chapter

      Acknowledgments

      Acknowledgments Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Acknowledgments serve as a personal tribute to the many people who have played a vital role in the author’s creative journey, and in this section, the author offers heartfelt thanks to several key individuals. The author begins by expressing immense gratitude to Rick and Shirley, who were a source of stability and support during difficult times. Their presence was like a safe harbor amidst the storm, providing both emotional comfort and a sense of security when the world felt uncertain. In addition, the…
    • Chapter

      Chapter XXXV

      Chapter XXXV Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter XXXV brings the Beaumont family to the heart of Salina Hope Hospital, where tension and emotion fill the air as they step into the critical care unit. The family’s arrival is marked by a somber atmosphere as Momma gathers her children—Rocket, Fish, Samson, and the protagonist—into a tight embrace. With visible concern, she expresses her anxiety over Poppa’s condition, holding her children close as she processes the fear of what’s to come. While she is focused on Poppa, Rocket, in a…
    • Chapter

      Chapter XXXVI

      Chapter XXXVI Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter XXXVI opens with the Beaumont family gathered in the quiet, sterile environment of Poppa’s hospital room, a space filled with tension and heartache. As they approach his bed, the weight of the situation presses down on them, each family member holding onto someone else, finding comfort in shared strength as they inch closer to Poppa. The sight of Poppa—unrecognizable with his bald head wrapped in bandages and numerous medical devices connected to him—sparks a deep emotional reaction in each…
    • Chapter

      Chapter XXXII

      Chapter XXXII Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter XXXII begins with a sense of disarray as the aftermath of the situation involving Carlene’s trailer unfolds. The scene is swarming with police officers, state troopers, and paramedics, each moving swiftly to address the chaos. The rain had finally stopped, leaving behind an audience of curious neighbors who stood outside, eager to witness the drama that had just occurred. Inside the trailer, Lester, Lill, and Carlene were being questioned by the authorities, while the children gathered nearby,…
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