Books Like...
'Life Ceremony' by Sayaka Murata is a collection of twelve short stories that are harsh, unsettling, disturbing, and sometimes humorous. The stories range from surreal to speculative to whimsical to bizarre, reflecting human nature and societal norms while focusing on characters who defy societal norms and do not fit into the mold established by contemporary society. Murata's writing style is bold, aggressive, and thought-provoking, attacking traditions, systems, and hierarchies while making a sharp analysis of social rules, contemporary people's situations, and women's identities.
If you liked Life Ceremony, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
Save:Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung is a genre-defying collection of short stories that blur the lines between magical realism, horror, and science fiction. The stories delve into the very real horrors and cruelties of patriarchy and capitalism in modern society, using elements of the fantastic and surreal to address themes such as loneliness, exploitation, and societal norms. Chung's writing style combines horror, magic realism, supernatural elements, and folklore with contemporary storytelling, creating a unique and unsettling reading experience that explores heavy social commentary on patriarchy, greed, and generational trauma.
The stories in Cursed Bunny are a mix of horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and magical realism, offering a chilling and thought-provoking exploration of societal issues through bizarre and sometimes grotesque narratives. The collection features characters fighting against oppression and seeking acceptance, with each story resonating on different levels and showcasing Chung's ability to play with various genres while maintaining a cohesive theme of revenge and societal critique.
It was probably more accurate to refer to it as “a thing that vaguely looked like a head” than an actual head. It was about two-thirds the size of an adult’s head and resembled a lump of carelessly sl... - #2
Save:'Earthlings' by Sayaka Murata is a dark and disturbing novel that follows the life of Natsuki, a young girl who faces abuse and neglect from her family. The story unfolds as Natsuki forms a unique bond with her cousin Yuu during their annual visits to their grandparents' house. The narrative explores themes of trauma, nonconformity, and survival, taking readers on a journey from Natsuki's troubled childhood to her unconventional adulthood. Murata's writing style is described as delirious and surreal, with a focus on societal pressures, alienation, and the extreme coping mechanisms adopted by the characters.
As we wound our way up steep hairpin bends, I gazed out the window at the swaying trees, at the undersides of the leaves so swollen they looked as though they would burst. That was where the pitch-bla... - #3
Save:'The Diving Pool: Three Novellas' by Yoko Ogawa is a collection of three novellas that delve into the darker side of human nature. Each story disrupts the routine lives of its protagonists, revealing unsettling and disturbing aspects of their characters. From a troubled teen infatuated with her foster brother to a woman chronicling her sister's pregnancy with strange occurrences, the novellas explore themes of jealousy, cruelty, and eerie atmospheres. The writing style is described as spare, dreamy, and atmospheric, drawing readers into a world where subtle tensions and unresolved endings leave a lasting impression.
It's always warm here: I feel as though I've been swallowedby a huge animal. After a few minutes, my hair,my eyelashes, even the blouse of my school uniform aredamp from the heat and humidity, and I'm... "The Dangers of Smoking in Bed: Stories" by Mariana Enriquez is a collection of twelve short stories that explore supernatural themes with a social conscience. Set mostly in the impoverished barrios of Buenos Aires, the stories are told from the perspective of sad, lonely, or disturbed female protagonists. The writing style is described as beautiful, unsettling, and profound, with a mix of horror, magical realism, and feminist themes.
The plots of the stories range from a woman haunted by a decomposing baby to young women trying to contact the spirits of disappeared friends and relatives. The book delves into themes of ghosts, curses, mutilation, and psychological horror, presenting old horror tropes in a fresh and new way. The stories are rich in detail, vivid, and often disturbing, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.
My grandma didn’t like the rain, and before the first drops fell, when the sky grew dark, she would go out to the backyard with bottles and bury them halfway, with the whole neck underground; she beli...- #5
Save:'Convenience Store Woman' by Sayaka Murata is a quirky and atmospheric novel that delves into the life of Keiko, a woman who has worked at a convenience store for 18 years. Keiko finds comfort and satisfaction in her job, despite societal pressures to conform and lead a more traditional life. The book explores themes of societal norms, individuality, and the struggle to fit in, all through the lens of Keiko's unique perspective. The writing style is described as fresh, simple, and emotionally charged, making it a quick and absorbing read that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
A convenience store is a world of sound. From the tinkle of the door chime to the voices of TV celebrities advertising new products over the in-store cable network, to the calls of the store workers, ... - #6
Save:'Natural Beauty' by Ling Ling Huang delves into the complex themes of beauty, race, class, and identity through a captivating storyline. The narrator, an unnamed Asian woman, undergoes a transformation at a beauty company called Holistik, where extreme beauty standards are enforced through their products. As she navigates this world of societal pressures and transformations, the book explores the impact of these standards on women's decisions and bodies. Through a mix of lyrical writing, social commentary, and elements of body horror, the book highlights the struggles faced by women in conforming to unrealistic beauty ideals.
- #7
Save:'Things We Lost in the Fire' by Mariana Enriquez is a collection of 12 short stories set in Argentina that delve into horror, both supernatural and psychological. The stories explore themes of poverty, fear, heartbreak, and the supernatural, offering a glimpse into the darker side of present-day life in Argentina. The writing style is described as haunting, addictive, and beautifully written, with each story presenting a unique and unsettling perspective on Argentinean struggles and poverty.
My family thinks I’m crazy, and all because I choose to live in our old family home in Constitución, in the house that once belonged to my paternal grandparents. It’s an imposing stone building on Cal... - #8
Save:Bliss Montage: Stories by Ling Ma is a collection of eight short stories that blend reality and fantasy in a surreal and captivating manner. The stories are described as thought-provoking, unsettling, and contemplative, touching on themes of misogyny, surrealism, and magical realism. Each story presents a unique narrative, from a woman's transformative journey during a Morning Festival to a professor finding escape in a special way in Office Hours, and a woman navigating an unusual pregnancy in her home country in Tomorrow. Ling Ma's writing style is praised for its dreamlike quality, intertwining fantasy with a touch of reality that keeps readers entertained and intrigued.
- #9
Save:'Salt Slow' by Julia Armfield is a collection of short stories that delve into the realms of horror, magical realism, and surrealism. The stories are described as fantastic, creepy, unsettling, and darkly delightful, often featuring creepy or fantastical twists in mundane everyday settings. Armfield's writing style is praised for its beautiful prose, eerie and abstract imagery, and the ability to create wacky, weird, and vivid characters that explore themes of transitions, female queerness, and gothic elements.
Our bathroom shelves are a graveyard of bottles – discarded jars and lotion pumps left to clog at their necks and nozzles, ointments used for two weeks and then abandoned. My Mother buys special sloug... - #10
Save:'Nightbitch' by Rachel Yoder is a novel that delves into the complexities of motherhood, exploring the challenges and joys of being a stay-at-home mother in the US. The story follows the protagonist as she navigates the twin pulls of external acceptance and the magic of child-rearing, providing a unique perspective on procreation without sugar-coating the tribulations. Through a blend of weird yet addictive writing style, the book offers a psychological exploration of motherhood, incorporating themes of modern middle-class existence and the struggles faced by women in society.
The narrative of 'Nightbitch' weaves together elements of horror, humor, and introspection, creating a feminist manifesto that challenges traditional notions of motherhood. The book artfully blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, with a focus on the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and the raw emotions associated with maternal instincts. Yoder's unconventional approach to storytelling, including the use of unnamed characters and dark humor, adds depth to the narrative and makes the book a thought-provoking exploration of womanhood and societal expectations.
And only now in her remembering did the events of the recent weeks begin to make sense. For of course she had known about it since she was a child, growing up as she had within the old German ways, wi...
