I started out as a romance only reader but have found my true love in the world of literary fiction. My favorite thing is literary fiction books about relationships, especially romantic relationships. I don't mean a romance that has literary writing, but a true litfic with a focus on a relationship. I enjoy more character focused stories as well as ones that do have more plot. I'd found that the way that genre romance has a guaranteed happily ever after had started to feel too predictable and that's when I discovered this little niche genre that I seem to really love.
Some I've read and enjoyed in this category –
– My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
– I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin
– Writers and Lovers by Lily King (also read Heart the Lover but liked Writers and Lovers more)
– Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams
I really like unusual, messy, toxic relationships, really anything that isn't the classic fairytale. Like love stories rather than romances if that makes sense.
The one other big thing for me is that I really only like to read first person pov. I know that a lot of litfic is written in 3rd person and I have tried over and over to get used to it but I really enjoy the way first person (I did this, I did that) helps me feel immersed in the story.
Thank you in advance for any suggestions!
by hi-aurora-sky
7 Comments
The French Lieutenant’s Woman and/or The Magus by John Fowles
Palaver by Bryan Washington. It’s about a Black mother and son in Tokyo who want love but are too closed off to indulge themselves. This author’s short stories are amazing and will let you know whether to read the novel.
I love Lily King
Cleopatra and Frankenstein, maybe?
An American Marriage
I admittedly haven’t read any of the books you listed, but Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami all the way, it’s unusual, it’s messy, it’s literary, and it’s absolutely beautifully written (and lucky for you in first person too).
How about The Wedding People by Alison Espach? It feels pretty close to romance to me but a touch darker and doesn’t look like it’s usually tagged as romance.
Have you read On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong? There’s a relationship in that, but it doesnt come in until like 30%-50% in.