A certain British author who just fell from grace had been my literal hero for almost two decades now. I discovered him through a literature course one day and it changed my life how a book could be written in a tone with such satirical dark humor and clever prose when I had only ever been introduced to the standard required reading at the time.
There is an entire lengthy story about how his works saved my life etc etc but the point of this post is to ask for recommendations for authors with a similar writing style-because the words are what I fell in love with.
I never specifically mention his name but I put a TW on the post just in case.
by Larien04
2 Comments
Terry Pratchett. He and that unnamed author wrote Good Omens together. I’d suggest starting with Mort or Guards! Guards!
I know who you’re talking about and TBH I’ve never read him, but I tend to read a lot of dark humor/satire type stuff.
Instantly coming to mind is Breakfast of Champions by Vonnegut–witty and satirical, much more so than Slaughterhouse imo. Checks all your boxes, I think.
I also think Running with Scissors would qualify here, it’s such an incredible memoir. Perfect balance of grim and witty.
If you like essays, Chuck Klosterman is great. He writes like the NYU creative writing graduate that you meet at the bar who doesn’t shut up about his own writing. Unfortunately, it is actually pretty good, but you have to eyeroll when you say that you *enjoy* Klosterman.
I’d be super hesitant to call it “humor,” but I do think My Year of Rest and Relaxation is stylistically witty. Nothing inherently funny, though. Probably an 80/20 ratio of depressing to wit.