Books Like...

The Crooked God Machine by Autumn Christian is a dark and surreal tale set on the Black Planet, where a masked God terrorizes the inhabitants through the television. The protagonist, Charles, navigates a world filled with nightmare elements like swamp witches, plague machines, and hell shuttles, seeking understanding and love amidst the chaos. The writing style is described as poetic, surreal, and bleak, reminiscent of a meeting point between Philip K. Dick, Anne Rice, and Kerouac, creating a world where darkness is the norm and light is a stranger.

'Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century' by Kim Fu is a short story collection that delves into speculative fiction themes, often likened to the eerie and thought-provoking episodes of Black Mirror. The stories in the book explore modern humanity through a lens of scifi and horror, offering a blend of magical realism and Kafkaesque elements. Fu's writing style is described as mesmerizing, electric, and original, blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy while providing intricate insights into human nature. The narratives navigate themes of death, technological consequence, guilt, and sexuality, presenting a mix of wildly imaginative tales and those closer to the real world.

In "The Unfamiliar Garden" by Benjamin Percy, the story unfolds in the aftermath of a meteor shower hitting the Seattle area, introducing a world where fungus forms instead of omnimetal. The narrative follows Jack, a mycologist, and Nora, a detective, whose daughter disappears during the meteor storm. As the world changes around them, the couple's marriage crumbles, and they find themselves investigating mysterious murders and a parasitic fungus. The book blends elements of horror, science fiction, and thriller, creating a fast-paced and suspenseful storyline that keeps readers engaged until the end.

The author, Benjamin Percy, skillfully weaves together a unique and thought-provoking plot, focusing on the characters' passion for discovery amidst a nightmarish setting. With well-developed characters like Jack and Nora, who have realistic flaws and desires, readers quickly become invested in their journey. The supporting cast adds depth to the story, ranging from helpful to sinister, while the fast-paced action and seamless suspense build create a captivating reading experience.

The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt is a quick, humorous novella that explores themes of luxury and social etiquette. It follows Marguerite, a clever 17-year-old girl raised in Marrakech by her discerning French mother, Maman. Marguerite must navigate the complexities of proper behavior in a world full of fools while grappling with the expectations of the publishing industry after she's tasked with writing a memoir about her shocking life experiences.

DeWitt's writing style is characterized by dry wit and sharp humor, providing a satirical lens on American publishing and social norms. The story unfolds in an engaging manner, and while it may initially seem puzzling, it gradually reveals its depth and thought-provoking themes. The novella is brief, clocking in at about 70 pages, making it an ideal read for an afternoon, but it leaves a lasting impact that resonates long after the final pages.

'The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath' by H.P. Lovecraft is a collection of stories about the adventures of Randolph Carter in the dream world and parts of the waking world. Lovecraft shapes a dream world with elements of nightmares, creating scenarios that are both creepy and fascinating. The novella takes readers on a journey through the Dreamlands, encountering loathsome creatures, ancient evils, and gods from outer space. The writing style is described as lush in opulent detail, although it can become repetitive and tiresome at times.

The Wall by John Lanchester is a dystopian novel set in a future Britain where a massive wall has been built around the country to keep out refugees and immigrants due to rising sea levels caused by climate change. The story follows Kavanaugh, a young Defender tasked with guarding the wall and repelling the Others, who constantly try to breach it. The narrative explores themes of survival, duty, generational divides, and the impact of climate change on society, all portrayed through the perspective of ordinary individuals facing extraordinary circumstances.

The writing style in The Wall is vivid and fast-paced, making it a compelling page-turner that delves into the bleak and realistic consequences of environmental disaster and societal divisions. Lanchester's narrative captures the physical and mental challenges faced by the characters, the relationships formed among the guards, and the overall atmosphere of a dystopian world where young people are conscripted to defend their nation against a desperate outside world.

"Medusa" in the series 'The Dark Victorian Penny Dreads' by Elizabeth Watasin tells a story about Elvie, a blind woman with a passion for sculptured art, who meets Lady Thanatou, an enigmatic sculptress with a mysterious aura. As Elvie delves into the world of art and encounters the supernatural, she finds herself drawn into a web of affection, attraction, and ancient beings that blur the lines between myth and reality. Through the perspectives of Elvie and her friend Ellie, the story unfolds with sensuality, humor, and a touch of innocence, creating a rich and enchanting narrative that explores themes of love, art, and the supernatural.

A man named Soren Johansson finds himself in a personalized version of Hell after dying, based on Borges' Library of Babel. Sentenced to spend eternity in this hell, he must search for the one book that contains the story of his life among countless volumes. The novella explores the concept of eternity, human adaptation, religion, and tolerance, as Soren and his companions navigate through challenges like intimate relationships, organized study, cults, violence, compassion, loneliness, pain, sorrow, hopelessness, and love.

The book is a philosophical examination of infinity and eternity, delving into the human capacity to adapt and the implications of eternity. It presents a thought-provoking exploration of a personalized Hell, where individuals must confront the challenges of finding their life story in a library containing all possible books ever written.

In 'A Thousand Years of Good Prayers', Yiyun Li presents a collection of short stories that offer insight into life in modern China and among Chinese Americans. The stories touch on themes such as the impact of political and cultural upheaval, the struggles of daily life, and the clash of generations. The narrative style is spare and controlled, emphasizing the often bleak conditions the characters face, while providing intimate portraits of lives affected by societal changes.

Yiyun Li's writing delves into the personal lives of her characters against the backdrop of significant historical events and societal shifts. Through her stories, she paints a picture of China over the last century, exploring human behavior under extreme circumstances and offering poignant reflections on the aftermath of Mao's era. The stories are emotionally deep and offer a close-up snapshot of how individuals navigate the complexities of evolving traditions and changing societal norms.

'The Water Cure' by Sophie Mackintosh is a feminist dystopian novel that follows the lives of three sisters, Grace, Lia, and Sky, who have been raised in isolation on a remote island by their parents. The sisters are taught to fear men and believe that the outside world is toxic. Their world is turned upside down when their father disappears and two men and a boy wash up on their shore, challenging everything they have been taught. The writing style is described as beautiful and poetic, creating an atmosphere of constant tension and unease as the sisters navigate the mysteries of their isolated existence.

The novel delves into themes of abuse, isolation, manipulation, and the impact of trauma on individuals. It explores the psychological effects of conditioning and the struggle for survival in a world where reality is distorted by the beliefs instilled by their parents. The story unfolds in a dreamy and surreal manner, leaving readers questioning the truth behind the sisters' upbringing and the secrets of the world beyond their island sanctuary.