Books in Cliffsnotes Literature Guides series

The meaninglessness and randomness of life was a constant theme in Camus's writing. This story is absurd, yet touches a chord within the reader that surely will resonate for years to come. A man is condemned to beheading because he was indifferent at his mother's funeral. In prison he finds freedom and happiness. Death becomes his greatest moment of life.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.In CliffsNotes onThe Awakening you experience one woman’s desire to find and live fully within her true self. Her devotion to that purpose causes friction with her friends and family, and also conflicts with the dominant values of her time.Summaries and commentaries will help you understand events of the novel, as well as their meaning. You’ll also gain insight into the life and background of the author, Kate Chopin. Other features that help you study includeCharacter analyses of major playersA character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersCritical essaysA review section that tests your knowledgeA ResourceCenter full of books, articles, films, and Internet sitesClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

This is the book that chronicled the lives and times of "the Lost Generation," American expatriates that filled Europe between the world wars. Hemingway's expatriates are there for two different reasons: one is there solely for entertainment, the other, to heal from the horrors of war and create something worth living for. Wounded Jake Barnes narrates a great, difficult love story.

The importance of The Holy Bible, whether as a master work of literature or religious canon, can hardly be overestimated. This comprehensive study guide provides a unique approach to reading The Holy Bible and helps readers dive deep into the New Testament to analyze the teachings of Jesus through poetry and parable. The guide also leads readers through the Old Testament, the foundation for both Judaism and Christianity and the moral and political beacon for many nations of the Western world.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.The new world in CliffsNotes on Brave New World is not a good place to be. Readers have used the word "dystopia," meaning "bad place," to describe Huxley's fictional world.But your experience studying this novel won't be bad at all when you rely on this study guide for help. Meet John the Savage and enter Huxley's witty and disturbing view of the future. Other features that help you study includeCharacter analyses of major playersA character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersCritical essaysA review section that tests your knowledgeA Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sitesClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background.In CliffsNotes on Night, you follow the humanistic first-person account of a teenage boy's incarceration by the Nazi Secret Service in World War II; his experiences in the Auschwitz and Buchenwald death camps; and his struggle to find meaning among the horror.Covering little more than a year of the young narrator's life, this study guide shares a story about endurance, loyalty, and faith — all nurtured by the strength of love. Other features that help you figure out this important work includeLife and background of the author, Dr. Elie WieselA list of charactersA historical timeline of Nazi GermanyA review section that tests your knowledge and suggests essay topicsA selected bibliography that leads you to more great resourcesClassic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in the series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.In CliffsNotes on the Old Testament, you’ll dig into the first half of the best-selling book of all time. These texts, stories, and poetry of the Bible have shaped the lives and philosophies of more than half the planet for over 2,000 years. Its timeless message is always fascinating, relevant, and open to interpretation. In addition to summaries and commentaries, you’ll also find A short outline of Old Testament historyA chronological order of the writingsImportant Old Testament datesA selected bibliographyClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.Explore how generational and cultural differences can divide—and then unite—immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters as you study CliffsNotes on The Joy Luck Club.This novel describes the lives of four women, who fled China in the 1940s, and their contentious relationships with their four very Americanized daughters. Through the love of their mothers, each of these young women learns about her heritage and so is able to deal more effectively with her life.CliffsNotes provides detailed plot summaries, critical commentaries, and a helpful character list to help you uncover all the insight this novel has to offer. Make studying easier with CliffsNotes on The Joy Luck Club. Other features includeCritical essaysA review section that tests your knowledgeBackground on the author, including career highlightsClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background.CliffsNotes on The Bluest Eye & Sula covers two of Toni Morrison’s unforgettable novels. The Bluest Eye, Morrison’s first novel, focuses on Pecola Breedlove, a lonely, young black girl living in Ohio in the late 1940s. Through Pecola, Morrison exposes the power and cruelty of white, middle-class American definitions of beauty.Sula, Morrison’s second novel, focuses on a young black girl named Sula, who matures into a strong and determined woman in the face of adversity and the distrust, even hatred, of her by the black community in which she lives. Morrison delves into the strong female relationships and how these bonds nurture and threaten individual identity.This study guide will take you beneath the surface of Morrison’s complex characters to uncover their universal themes. Helpful background information about the author brings these novels into context for even greater understanding. Other features that help you study includeComplete character listsA character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersCharacter analyses of major playersGlossary of difficult terms Critical essaysReview questions and essay topicsClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.