This might be a niche genre or a genre that doesn’t exist at all but recently I’ve been obsessed with books that’s entire plot just seems to be people going through their life. (Examples: a box of matches, a waiter in Paris, last summer in the city, down and out in London and Paris etc). I like how these books find little nuggets of life advice or unique worldviews through just the lenses of their every day experiences. If anyone has any similar books or books with similar vibes I’d love to add them to my list. Thanks!
by joecro10
11 Comments
Convenience Store Woman by Murata comes to mind
Last Night at the Lobster, by Stewart O’Nan.
Stoner by John Williams. A man goes to college to study farming is how it starts. I won’t spoil any of it but it’s about him just living his life.
*A Month in the Country* by J.L. Carr
Anything written by Pearl S Buck, it doesn’t tend to be the mundane life of Chinese farmers but she never disappoints
I’ve read a few books by Ethan Joella and I think he captures this vibe pretty well.
Simple Pleasures by Clare Chambers
Animal Life by Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir. It’s about a midwife in Iceland.
“Before we Were immigrants; so long Yugoslavia”. Three books in one follow the ordinary life of the main character. The second part happens in London and has some resemblance to Down and Out in London and Paris. The book is exactly what you’ve described.
Junkie, William S Burroughs. Sort of fictional but based on his real experiences. I think this has that feel you’re looking for, of day-to-day living.
You probably know this already but Orwell also did The Road to Wigan Pier and Homage to Catalonia that are similar to Down and Out.
I think you might also enjoy Just Kids by Patti Smith. It’s more of a straight memoir but she paints a really detailed picture of how she and Robert Mapplethorpe got by as poor kids in New York.
Paradoxia, Lydia Lunch. Trigger warning for pretty much anything anyone might be triggered by.
The Sickbag Song, Nick Cave. A travel diary of being on the road that is mostly grounded, but I think he might have blended in a few tall tales, from memory.
Post Office by Bukowski