The last few books I read have been page turners, but the writing was so hack-ish. Looking for something (ideally with both but I’m not trying to be greedy, lol) with really beautiful writing.
I don’t like fantasy or romance (can have bits of either but not the focus)TIA!
by GoodKid_MaadSity
12 Comments
Check out Amor Towles.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
For the Good Times – Somewhere between Goodfellas and Joyce’s Ulysses. IRA novel, hilarious, poignant, thought provoking and memorable. I found it gripping while still very substantive
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead – Magical realism, a brilliant allegory on our place in nature, some cracking mystery to keep you engaged.
Our Share of the Night – Dark magical realism horror. Set during the Argentinian dictatorship, telling the story of a father and son embroiled in dark rituals, beautiful and empathetic while still being very gripping. It’s long but it’s one of those books where I read 100 pages in a day some times.
A Brief History of Seven Killings – One of the best books I’ve ever read. A challenging narrative to follow but absolutely full of vivid characters and unreliable narrators, completely addictive and surprising. Won the Booker Prize, completely worth the hype.
If you have anything that matches your brief let me know as I find it hard to find books that hold me while also being worth reading intellectually. All of the above left me happy I’d read them while also being quick reads.
Anything by Daisy Johnson.
Anything by Jose Saramago or Haruki Murakami
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.
North Woods by Daniel Mason!
All of Claire Keegan
Jonathan Franzen
Anything by Kent Meyers.
We Do Not Part-Han Kang
Creation Lake-Rachel Kushner
Rejection-Tony Tulathimutte
Most of Guy Gavriel Kay’s stuff would fit. It’s technically alt world but it’s really historical fiction with a “quarter turn to the fantastical” so the fantasy is pretty minimal, and while romance is present, it’s not the point of the stories. Personally recommend starting with Lions of Al-Rassan(Spain during the Reconquista), Sailing to Sarantium(Byzantium during the reign of Justinian), or Under Heaven(Tang dynasty China). His writing is very beautiful