Hi everyone! I’ve been searching for books to read, but there’s a specific type of books I’m looking for. I’d like to read about how pointless life is, that nothing makes sense, about a character who’s indifferent/melancholic/depressed/unhappy, loses interest in life.
A perfect example of what I want to read is “A Man Asleep” by George Perec, I’ve been searching for something similar ever since I read it. Another good example is “Nausea” by Jean-Paul Sartre. I also read “The Stranger” by Albert Camus, it was good but not exactly what I’m looking for.
I’ve seen a lot of suggestions about “Notes from Underground” by Dostoevsky, I started reading it in Russian (my native language) and it was a bit too difficult for my brain haha.
I’d really appreciate a recommendation 🙂
by inqstrr
12 Comments
“Submission” my Michelle Houllebequc
“Stoner” von John Williams
Flesh, David Szalay
The good news about *Notes from Underground* is that I wouldn’t say that it’s about pointlessness of life and/or indifference to it. So while I think it’s an amazing read, I also don’t think you’re missing much regarding your request here.
I’d like to shout out a lesser-discussed book by my favorite author, *Deadeye Dick* by Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut is a satirist, so there’s an undertone of humor in all of his writing, but I think it works very well alongside his particular brand of absurdism to highlight the more complex parts of life. *Deadeye Dick* is, in my opinion, his novel that fits your request here the best.
In a slightly different and far more contemporary direction, you might enjoy reading *My Year of Rest and Relaxation* by Ottessa Moshfegh.
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut, the writings of Heinrich Hein, Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse, Thus Were their Faces by Silvina Ocampo, Journey to the End of the Night by Louis-Ferdinand Céline
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Blood Meridian by McCarthy. The struggle with nihilism and meaning is a central theme.
Michele Houllebequc has this vibe in most of his books
You might like Becky Chambers’ Monk and Robot duology. I personally HATED it, but I hated it because it touched on the this exact vibe which I learned is not for me, not because there was anything wrong with the execution.
It’s technically two books but they are both 150-180 pages and they seem to be part 1 & 2 of the same story so idk why they were separated (however I only read book 1 so it may be obvious in book 2).
This book is considered cozy sci-fi, which really means it’s sci-fi in setting only. Though, be aware this is a book that centers queer people. It’s not about queerness in any way, people are just queer. I only note that because Reddit is not an inherently queer friendly space and I don’t know you.
The Magicians
Catcher in the Rye
Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor
A Little Life
*No Country for Old Men* by Cormac McCarthy