Timothy Schaffert on The Titanic Survivors Book Club | EP 122

The Perfume Thief is a historical novel set in Nazi-occupied Paris, featuring Clementine, a gender-nonconforming Jewish woman, as the protagonist. Clementine, an expert in perfume, is coerced into stealing rare fragrance formulas for a powerful Nazi officer. The narrative explores themes of identity, resistance, and the power of scent. Schaffert weaves a tale of intrigue and survival, highlighting Clementine's resourcefulness and courage. The novel delves into the hidden world of perfumery and the black market during World War II. Through Clementine's journey, the story examines the complexities of love, betrayal, and the fight for freedom in a time of profound darkness.

Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolin and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry is a novel by Leanne Shapton told through photographs and descriptions of objects. Presented as an auction catalog, the book documents the breakup of a relationship through the sale of personal items. Each object tells a story, revealing the intimate details of the couple's life and love. Shapton's innovative approach combines visual and literary storytelling to create a poignant and unconventional narrative. The novel explores themes of memory, loss, and the significance of objects in our lives. Through its unique format, the book offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of human relationships.

The Gashley Crumb Tinies is an abecedarian book by Edward Gorey, presenting a darkly humorous collection of 26 children, each meeting a gruesome end. Each letter of the alphabet corresponds to a child's name and a short verse describing their unfortunate demise. Gorey's signature style combines Victorian-era aesthetics with morbid humor, creating a unique and unsettling reading experience. The book is known for its intricate illustrations and darkly comic tone. It offers a subversive take on traditional children's literature, challenging conventional notions of innocence and morality. Through its unsettling and darkly amusing narratives, The Gashley Crumb Tinies remains a cult classic and a testament to Gorey's distinctive artistic vision.

The Gulf is a novel about exploring themes of faith, family, and environmental crisis. Set against the backdrop of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the story follows a community grappling with the aftermath of the disaster. Cochran's writing is characterized by its evocative prose and deeply human characters. The novel explores the complexities of human relationships and the impact of environmental degradation on communities. Through its poignant narrative, The Gulf offers a powerful reflection on resilience, loss, and the search for hope in the face of adversity.

Plastic is a novel about exploring themes of identity, technology, and consumerism. The story unfolds in a surreal and hyper-real world, where characters grapple with the pervasive influence of plastic and artificiality. Guild's writing is characterized by its experimental style and darkly humorous tone. The novel challenges readers to question the nature of reality and the impact of technology on human experience. Through its unique narrative and provocative imagery, Plastic offers a sharp critique of contemporary culture.

Set in rural Montana in the early 1990s, 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' follows Cameron, a teenager grappling with her sexuality after her parents' death. She is sent to a conversion therapy camp by her conservative aunt, where she meets others like her and begins to accept her true identity. The novel explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

Set in 1946, the novel follows Juliet Ashton, a British writer and former war journalist, as she discovers the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society through a letter from Dawsey Adams. The society was formed as an alibi to avoid German occupation authorities and evolved into a source of hope and community for the islanders. Through her correspondence with the society's members, Juliet learns about their lives, their island, and the impact of the German occupation. The book is a celebration of the written word, human resilience, and the power of community and literature to overcome adversity.

A collection of interconnected short stories exploring the psychological and emotional toll of the Vietnam War on soldiers.

The play revolves around Prince Hamlet's journey to avenge his father's murder, which was committed by his uncle Claudius. Hamlet's father's ghost appears and reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. Hamlet feigns madness while he investigates and plots his revenge. The play explores themes of betrayal, mortality, and the human condition, culminating in a tragic finale where nearly all main characters die, including Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and several others.

The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is set in 17th-century Boston and revolves around Hester Prynne, a young woman who is publicly shamed for committing adultery. She is forced to wear a scarlet letter 'A' on her clothing as a symbol of her sin. The novel delves into themes of guilt, sin, redemption, and the strict moral codes of the Puritan community. Hester's husband, Roger Chillingworth, seeks revenge against her lover, Arthur Dimmesdale, a local minister who is wracked with guilt over his secret sin. The story explores the psychological and emotional suffering of the characters, ultimately leading to a dramatic public confession by Dimmesdale and the subsequent consequences for all involved. The novel is a classic moral study and a masterpiece of American literature, critiquing the hypocrisy and rigid moral standards of the Puritan society.