Across books · Theme
Fate and Coincidence
Dick repeatedly reflects on fate and chance, noting how small decisions (like visiting a bar or rescuing a swimmer) lead to life-changing events, suggesting a deterministic undercurrent to his adventures.
Fate and Coincidence appears as a literary theme in 13 works in the BetterReads curated set. Each book develops the idea in its own plot, voice, and historical moment — the links below open the book-scoped theme guide beside the text.
Dick repeatedly reflects on fate and chance, noting how small decisions (like visiting a bar or rescuing a swimmer) lead to life-changing events, suggesting a deterministic undercurrent to his adventures.
The narrative is driven by ironic coincidences and fateful events, such as the discovery of the lost earring and the chance meetings between characters, which shape the tragic outcomes of the relationships.
Chance events, such as the lottery ticket win and the accidental purchase of the desk, drive the plot, suggesting that luck and coincidence play a significant role in the characters' fortunes and misfortunes.
The plot relies on coincidences and seemingly fated events, such as the ring's appearance and the stranger's prophetic speech about crime, suggesting that chance and destiny play a role in human affairs.
Unexpected events, such as the magistrate's accident or the chance meeting with the cab driver, shape the investigation, suggesting that luck and circumstance play a role in uncovering truth.
The plots often hinge on seemingly chance encounters or trivial events that prove pivotal, such as overheard conversations or a cheap flat, suggesting that fate plays a role in the unfolding of justice.
In each book
A Bid for Fortune
Dick repeatedly reflects on fate and chance, noting how small decisions (like visiting a bar or rescuing a swimmer) lead to life-changing events, suggesting a deterministic undercurrent to his adventures.
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A Pair of Blue Eyes
The narrative is driven by ironic coincidences and fateful events, such as the discovery of the lost earring and the chance meetings between characters, which shape the tragic outcomes of the relationships.
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Arsène Lupin Versus Herlock Sholmes
Chance events, such as the lottery ticket win and the accidental purchase of the desk, drive the plot, suggesting that luck and coincidence play a significant role in the characters' fortunes and misfortunes.
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Hand and Ring
The plot relies on coincidences and seemingly fated events, such as the ring's appearance and the stranger's prophetic speech about crime, suggesting that chance and destiny play a role in human affairs.
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Monsieur Lecoq
Unexpected events, such as the magistrate's accident or the chance meeting with the cab driver, shape the investigation, suggesting that luck and circumstance play a role in uncovering truth.
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Poirot Investigates
The plots often hinge on seemingly chance encounters or trivial events that prove pivotal, such as overheard conversations or a cheap flat, suggesting that fate plays a role in the unfolding of justice.
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Short Fiction
Characters are often at the mercy of fate, missed opportunities, and coincidental meetings, such as Oswald's failure to return in time, Nicholas and Christine's reunion after fifteen years, and the chance encounter betwe
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Such Is Life
Collins frequently notes the 'cussedness' or 'strange fatality' that drives him back to places like Runnymede, emphasizing the role of chance, unintended consequences, and the ironic twists of 'such is life.'
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The Man in the Brown Suit
The story relies heavily on coincidences—such as the tube accident, the shared house viewing, and chance meetings on a ship—suggesting that fate or luck plays a significant role in the unfolding mystery.
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The Middle of Things
The plot relies on chance encounters and coincidences, such as Viner discovering the murder and the timely arrival of witnesses, suggesting that fate plays a role in unraveling mysteries.
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The Mystery of the Blue Train
Coincidences shape the plot, such as Katherine repeatedly encountering Derek Kettering before the murder, and Poirot's presence on the Blue Train, suggesting a deterministic undercurrent where chance events reveal deeper
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The Viaduct Murder
The story explores the role of chance in the murder, from the fog that enables the crime to the discovery of the golf ball and the book, with characters debating whether events are coincidental or deliberately planned.
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Victory
The novel is marked by ironic coincidences, such as the title 'Victory' written just before World War I, and the chance arrival of the villains on Heyst's island. These events underscore a sense of inescapable destiny an
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