I really want to branch out of my usual genre of literary fiction. But most of the time when I try to read fantasy, I get bored after a couple chapters and put the book down.
I'm looking for a fantasy book without too much of: extensive worldbuilding, wizards with magic powers, mythical creatures like goblins and dragons, ruling system of kings/queens/emperors, etc. Also prefer a book that's not too "whimsical" or "cozy". I do like magical realism though, so maybe there's a book like that that's slightly more on the "magic" side? Hopefully I'm not completely ruling out all fantasy with these preferences…
Two fantasy books I really liked are Ka by John Crowley and Vagabonds by Eloghosa Osunde. Other books I've liked are North Woods, Sag Harbor, Pay As You Go. I've also read Piranesi; it was okay.
Help!
by CartographerSoup