1. Genre-bending or experimental literature:
* Modernist novels: Works like James Joyce's "Ulysses" or Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway" often play with language and symbolism, requiring readers to grapple with unfamiliar word choices and their potential connotations.
* Postmodern novels: Works like Thomas Pynchon's "Gravity's Rainbow" or Don DeLillo's "White Noise" utilize dense and often ironic language, making it necessary to decipher the underlying meanings and connotations.
* Surrealist works: Works like Salvador Dalí's "The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí" or Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" are characterized by dreamlike logic and jarring imagery, demanding readers to explore the deeper symbolic meaning.
2. Historical fiction or works set in different cultures:
* Books about foreign cultures: Literature set in unfamiliar societies often employs words and phrases specific to that culture, which might carry different connotations than in the reader's own language.
* Historical novels: Books set in past eras often use vocabulary and expressions that are no longer common, requiring the reader to understand the historical context and the connotations attached to the words.
3. Poetry:
* Modern and contemporary poetry: Many modern poems explore unconventional language and imagery, demanding readers to look beyond the literal meaning and consider the multiple layers of connotation present in the poem.
4. Books with complex themes or symbolism:
* Allegorical works: Books like George Orwell's "Animal Farm" or Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" use symbols and metaphors to convey deeper meanings. Unfamiliar connotations can help unlock the layers of allegory present in these works.
* Philosophical fiction: Books that explore existential questions, such as Albert Camus' "The Stranger" or Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment," often use language in a way that challenges the reader to consider different perspectives and interpretations.
5. Works by authors known for their unconventional use of language:
* William Faulkner: His complex sentence structures and Southern dialect often require close reading to decipher the intended meaning and connotations.
* Emily Dickinson: Her use of unusual phrasing, dashes, and unconventional capitalization create a unique poetic voice that requires readers to be attuned to the subtle connotations of her words.
* Toni Morrison: Her novels often explore the complexities of race and identity, utilizing language that carries significant historical and cultural connotations.
Ultimately, any book that employs figurative language, symbolism, or unconventional writing styles can require the reader to engage with unfamiliar connotations to fully grasp the meaning.