Books Like...

'Nadja' by Andre Breton is a surrealistic novel that explores the narrator's chance encounter and brief relationship with a bohemian woman named Nadja. The book delves into themes of madness, love, and artistic exploration, set against the backdrop of 1920s Paris. Through a non-linear narrative filled with philosophical musings and unconnected vignettes, Breton presents a unique blend of fiction and reality, offering a snapshot of a surreal world where the line between consciousness and unconsciousness blurs.

Breton's writing style in 'Nadja' is described as raw, audacious, and at times, confusing. The book features non-terminating sentences, incoherent passages, and a mix of cultural references that may have been relevant in 1920s France. Despite its challenging nature, the story of Nadja and the narrator's exploration of their unconscious minds, intertwined with urban descriptions of Paris, creates a captivating and thought-provoking reading experience.

'The Third Policeman' by Flann O'Brien is a surreal and absurd novel that takes readers on a bizarre journey filled with dark humor, whimsicality, and philosophical ponderings. The story follows a protagonist who commits a murder and ends up in a police station where strange events unfold, including policemen obsessed with bicycles, merging of humans with bicycles, and explorations of an underground world where anything is possible. The book is described as a blend of comedy, meta physics, satire, and rural Irishness, creating a unique and non-perpendicular narrative that challenges assumptions about society and identity. O'Brien's writing style is noted for its fine comic writing, psychedelic moments, and fusion of Kafka, Beckett, and Alice in Wonderland elements.

'The Third Policeman' is a delightfully weird and absurd tale that defies easy description, offering readers a mix of dark comedy, surrealism, and inventive storytelling. The book is praised for its originality, wild imagination, and brilliant writing that blends humor with unsettling themes. O'Brien's ability to craft a narrative that is both funny and profound, challenging readers to engage with its strange world and complex structure, makes this novel a standout work of postmodern literature.

'An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good' by Helene Tursten follows the intriguing character of Maud, an eighty-nine-year-old woman who lives in an apartment building. Despite appearing as a harmless old lady to her neighbors, Maud harbors a dark and cunning side, taking matters into her own hands when faced with unpleasant individuals. The stories within the book showcase Maud's unconventional ways of dealing with everyday annoyances, often involving dark humor and unexpected twists. Tursten's writing style cleverly intertwines Maud's seemingly frail exterior with her ruthless and cleverly planned actions, challenging society's dismissive attitudes towards the elderly.

Maud's character is portrayed as a complex and multifaceted individual, blending mildness with a cold-blooded nature and a lack of understanding of societal norms. delves into Maud's past, revealing her struggles and sacrifices, ultimately leading to her freedom to live life on her own terms. Through a series of short stories, readers witness Maud's interactions with various characters who underestimate her, only to be outwitted by her sharp mind and cunning actions. Tursten's narrative skillfully weaves together humor, mystery, and societal commentary, creating an engaging and entertaining read.

Ice by Anna Kavan is a surreal, dystopian novella that follows an unnamed narrator's obsessive pursuit of a woman through a world slowly being engulfed by ice. The book features vivid descriptions of a cold, desolate landscape and explores themes of abuse, violence, and trauma. The writing style is described as darkly sparkly, with beautiful prose that creates haunting and harrowing imagery, reminiscent of authors like Kafka and Borges. The plot is simple yet complex, with elements of surrealism and dreamlike sequences that leave the reader questioning reality.

'In Watermelon Sugar' by Richard Brautigan is a fabulistic portrayal of a community based in the fictional town of iDEATH. The story is captured by an unnamed narrator who offers a poetic, wistful detachment of this strange utopian oddity where the sun shines a different color every day of the week, and dark, mysterious elements gather and disperse on the town's fringes. The novel is a surreal and beautifully written piece that rewards repeated readings, with brief gnomic chapters creating an ambiguous feel that is sometimes idyllic and sometimes unsettling, even sinister.

The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence is a novel that delves into the life of Hagar Shipley, a 90-year-old woman reflecting on her past as she faces old age and death. The story is told from Hagar's point of view, as she reminisces about her childhood, marriage, and motherhood in rural Manawaka. The book explores themes of pride, stubbornness, family dynamics, and the challenges of aging, all portrayed through Hagar's unfiltered and direct narrative style.

'The Street of Crocodiles' by Bruno Schulz is a collection of stories that revolve primarily around the narrator's childhood, focusing on his father, mother, and housekeeper. The book is set in a gloomy Eastern European city and portrays a world filled with decaying marvels, cryptic artifacts, and quirky characters. Schulz's writing style is described as exquisite, hallucinatory, dreamlike, and surreal, with very real characters and a unique blend of magical possibilities in a prosaic world.

"Froth on the Daydream" by Boris Vian is a surreal and tragic story that explores themes of love, death, and existentialism through whimsical and absurd scenarios. The plot follows characters like Colin and Chloe who are destroyed by a universe that can't stand to see anyone happy, while also delving into the lives of other couples facing their own challenges. The writing style of the book is described as intelligent, imaginative, and original, with elements of wordplay, neologisms, and references to jazz music and existentialist philosophy.

Fair Play by Tove Jansson is a collection of linked stories exploring the lives and relationship of two women artists, Mari and Jonna, who have lived together for decades. The stories offer glimpses into their daily routines, travels, creative processes, and the nuances of their close companionship. The writing style is described as spare, delicate, and intimate, focusing on subtle details and quiet moments shared between the characters.

Keith Miller's debut novel 'The Book of Flying' is a poetic and fantastical tale following the journey of Pico, a young librarian seeking to learn how to fly in order to win the heart of a winged girl. The narrative is filled with adventures ranging from delightful to dark, as Pico navigates through a mythical universe in search of his identity and true love. Miller's prose is described as polished and whimsical, creating a world where sensibility and sensuality intertwine with themes of love, determination, and self-discovery.

The book is a blend of fairy tale, fantasy, and romance, with rich imagery and intricate storytelling that captivates readers. It explores the essence of being through passionate tales of love and the pursuit of impossible quests, all while challenging traditional fantasy tropes and offering a unique perspective on the artist's journey towards self-acceptance.