Books Like...

The Encyclopedia of the Dead by Danilo Kis is a collection of short stories that touch upon the topic of death, weaving together legends, myths, historical events, and fables. The writing style is often compared to that of Jorge Luis Borges, with imaginative and quasi-mythical premises intertwined with minutiae and historical references. The stories in the book evoke a sense of mystery and contemplation, exploring themes of religion, philosophy, folklore, and living history.

One of the standout stories in the collection is "The Encyclopedia of the Dead," where a woman discovers volumes in a library dedicated to the lives of ordinary people after her father's death, prompting reflections on the significance of each individual in shaping history. Each story in the book offers a unique perspective on human nature, beliefs, and the complexities of life and death, making it a thought-provoking and engaging read for those interested in philosophical fiction.

'Solenoid' by Mircea Cartarescu is a surrealistic novel filled with unique, strange, and wonder-filled elements. The book delves into the inner and exterior complexities of reality, demanding total attention and concentration from the reader. The narrative is described as overwhelming, engulfing the reader's imagination and consciousness, providing a fresh perspective on reality itself. The author, Cartarescu, weaves together various genres such as autofiction, ars poetica, and sci-fi, resulting in a novel that is both a novel of ideas and a total experience for the reader. The book is set against the backdrop of Bucharest, adding a majestic grandeur to the story.

'Blinding' by Mircea Cartarescu is a mesmerizing and unique piece of literature that blurs the lines between reality and imagination. The author's writing style is described as dense, beautiful, and startling, filled with meditations, meanderings, and surreal dreamscapes. The narrative follows the protagonist through a series of episodes that are both astoundingly detailed and rich in imagery, from Biblical scenes etched into a woman's nails to giant organic butterflies giving birth to gods. is not focused on a traditional plot but rather on strange insights on every page and some of the best prose ever rendered into English.

'Satantango' by Laszlo Krasznahorkai is a dark and allegorical novel set in a remote village in communist Hungary. The story revolves around a group of characters who are waiting for something to happen, pinned on a charismatic figure named Irimias. The novel delves into themes of atrophying humanity, cyclical occurrences, and the slow passage of time, all portrayed through the author's surreal and vivid writing style. The plot unfolds with a mix of black humor, bleakness, and allegorical elements, creating a complex narrative structure that requires patience to fully comprehend.

The Book of Laughter and Forgetting by Milan Kundera is a collection of stories that delve into the emotional depth and nuance of human experiences, touching on themes of secret affairs, death, love, and the impact of historical events like the Soviet invasion. The writing style is described as poetic and philosophical, with Kundera's ability to examine everyday life and make it profound, while also providing insights into Czech history and societal norms.

'Flights' by Olga Tokarczuk is a collection of intertwined stories and short essays that focus on the theme of travel, narrated by a nameless woman following an old Orthodox Christian belief of constant movement. The book delves into a myriad of seemingly unrelated stories, essays, and sketches that orbit around themes such as travel psychology, anatomy, and dissection. The narrative style of the book is described as fragmentary, nonlinear, and at times disorganized, with a mix of thought-provoking insights, beautifully written descriptions, and a structure that allows the reader's imagination to form meaningful connections between the pieces.

The Other Name: Septology I-II by Jon Fosse is a collection of novels that captivates readers with emotionally gripping storytelling and beautiful writing. The book delves into themes of otherness, melancholy, and introspection through the lens of various characters, offering a unique and haunting reading experience. Fosse's writing style is described as hypnotic, with a stream of consciousness narrative that immerses readers into the characters' minds and emotions. The book explores complex philosophical concepts while maintaining a melancholic and poetic tone throughout.

The Dictionary of the Khazars by Milorad Pavic is a unique and intricate novel that combines historical facts with lyrical storytelling. The book is presented in the form of a lexicon, with entries arranged in alphabetical order, creating a non-linear narrative structure that allows readers to piece together the story by connecting different entries. The plot spans across different time periods and features fantastical elements, fantastical characters, and a blend of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim mythology.

The writing style of The Dictionary of the Khazars has been described as magical realism, reminiscent of authors like Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Jorge Luis Borges. The novel is composed of entries that read like a dictionary, each describing a specific element relevant to the plot. The unconventional format of the book, along with its dreamlike and strange storytelling, makes it a captivating and thought-provoking read.

Life: A User's Manual by Georges Perec is a complex and intricate narrative set in a Parisian apartment block, delving into the lives of its inhabitants through detailed storytelling. The novel weaves together multiple stories, creating a jigsaw puzzle-like structure that captures the essence of everyday life and human connections. Perec's writing style is described as both meticulous and whimsical, with a focus on minute details that contribute to the larger tapestry of the narrative.

'The Passenger' by Cormac McCarthy follows the character Bobby Western, a loner wanderer who faces great danger after stumbling across something mysterious. Alongside Bobby's story, there is a second thread involving his sister Alicia, a paranoid schizophrenic. The novel delves into themes of regret, grief, paranoia, the apocalypse, and living in a world that defies explanation. McCarthy's descriptive prose is praised for its matchless quality, although some readers found certain sections hard to follow due to detailed discussions on physics and complex topics.