Books Like...

'The Unseen' by Roy Jacobsen follows the life of the Barroy family living on a small Norwegian island, focusing on their struggles, isolation, and resilience against the harsh climate. The novel depicts their day-to-day challenges, interactions with the mainland, and the gradual changes that disrupt their traditional way of life. Through poetic yet lean prose, the book captures the essence of life on the island, portraying a timeless narrative of survival, adaptation, and the impact of modernization on a remote community.

The narrative unfolds through the eyes of Ingrid, offering a glimpse into the family dynamics, the cyclical nature of existence on the island, and the subtle evolution of their world over several decades. With a blend of vivid vignettes and atmospheric storytelling, 'The Unseen' paints a rich portrait of a family deeply connected to nature, weathering both physical and emotional storms as they navigate the challenges of their environment and the encroaching changes of the outside world.

Amy Liptrot's 'The Outrun' is a memoir chronicling her journey of recovery from alcohol addiction, starting with her descent into addiction in London and culminating in her return to the Orkney Islands where she finds healing and a new sense of self. The book weaves together her personal struggles with addiction, her rediscovery of the natural world in Orkney, and her reflections on life and identity, creating a poignant and honest narrative that explores themes of self-discovery and resilience.

'Out Stealing Horses' by Per Petterson is a contemplative novel that delves into the relationship between a father and son, set in Norway during and after WWII. The story follows Trond, a man in his 60s who retreats to a remote cabin to reflect on his past, particularly a transformative summer spent with his father in the backwoods country close to the Swedish border. Through flashbacks, the reader discovers the father's involvement in the resistance movement and the impact it had on their lives. The novel skillfully weaves together themes of boyhood friendship, tragedy, loneliness, and the complexities of familial relationships, all while offering vivid descriptions of the Norwegian landscape.

'Seiobo There Below' by Laszlo Krasznahorkai, translated by Ottilie Mulzet, is a collection of 17 chapters or pieces, each focusing on an artist or an act of creation related to Seiobo, a Taoist deity symbolizing bliss. is known for its intricate writing style, with long sentences that captivate and challenge readers, often drawing comparisons to the works of Borges and Kafka. The narrative structure of the book combines macro and micro elements, creating a fractal-like pattern that delves into the essence of art and creation. The translator's skill in maintaining the complexity and beauty of Krasznahorkai's prose in English is also highlighted as a remarkable feat.

In the book "Reservoir 13" by Jon McGregor, a 13-year-old girl named Rebecca disappears from a small village during a winter vacation, impacting the lives of the villagers profoundly. The narrative spans over a decade, with each year marked by seasonal changes, births, deaths, and evolving relationships among the community members. McGregor's unique writing style, characterized by short, matter-of-fact sentences and vignettes of various characters, effectively draws readers into the intricate web of village life and the aftermath of Rebecca's disappearance.

The novel is not a typical crime story despite the initial disappearance, focusing instead on the village's response to the event and the passage of time. McGregor skillfully weaves together the lives of numerous characters, capturing the essence of relationships and painting a vivid picture of the village's evolution over the years, interspersed with descriptions of nature's rhythms and the changing seasons.

'Everything Under' by Daisy Johnson is a modern retelling of the Greek Tragedy, Oedipus, with a focus on Gretel, a lexicographer, who receives a disturbing call from a hospital that brings back memories of her childhood and her mother. The novel explores themes of gender fluidity, family identity, and the importance of connections to our past and present. Through a non-linear narrative, the story weaves together Gretel's search for her mother, her time on the river with her mother, and her present life, creating a complex and compelling storyline.

In the small English village of Pagford, the sudden death of councilman Barry Fairbrother sets off a chain of events that exposes old feuds, dark family secrets, and raw emotions among the residents. The novel delves into the lives of a wide variety of characters, both lovable and despicable, as they navigate small-town drama, alliances, and betrayals. J.K. Rowling skillfully weaves together a tale of political maneuvering, neighborhood intrigue, and the impact of one event on the lives of almost everyone in the town.

Lanny by Max Porter is a mystical and innovative novel that follows the story of a young protagonist named Lanny who goes missing in a small English village. The narrative delves into the relationships between Lanny, his parents, an older artist named Pete, and the village community. The book combines elements of magical realism, mythology, and fantasy to create a unique and poetic tale that explores themes of violence, grief, and human emotion.

At just eight years old, Peggy Hillcoat is taken by her survivalist father to live in a secluded cabin in a remote European forest, where he convinces her that the rest of the world has been destroyed. The novel follows Peggy's survival and growth over the next nine years in seclusion, until a stranger's presence disrupts their isolated life. The story is a mix of survivalist narrative, coming of age tale, and exploration of mental health, with a plot that twists and turns, sometimes predictably, leading to a somewhat contrived ending.

The book is described as a gripping, interesting, and dramatic story of survivalism, with impactful character development, emotionally resonant chapters, and a surprising yet somewhat predictable twist ending. The author's writing style is praised for its vivid descriptions of the setting, ability to convey the passing of time seamlessly, and for keeping the readers engaged with unexpected turns in the plot.