Books Like...

Former professor of American literature Chris Jaynes is determined to find out the truth behind Edgar Allen Poe's novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. After finding an old slave manuscript that seems to allude to the same subject as Poe's novel, Jaynes convinces a crew of six other black men to follow Pym's trail to the South Pole to search for the answer to one of literature's greatest mysteries. The book is described as a bizarre, hilarious, scathing satire of American racism, all refracted through the lens of Poe's work, with a mix of comedic elements, social commentary, and exploration of race relations.

'The North Water' by Ian McGuire is a brutal and violent novel set in the 19th century aboard a whaling ship, the Volunteer, on a voyage to the Arctic Circle. The story follows a disgraced Irish surgeon, Patrick Sumner, and a ruthless harpooner named Henry Drax, as they navigate through a journey filled with murder, rape, robbery, and other brutalities. The writing style is described as vivid, gritty, and darkly brilliant, capturing the harsh realities of life at sea during that period.

'Where the Dead Wait' by Ally Wilkes is a gothic novel set in the Arctic, where doomed exploration leads to depravity and isolation. The story follows disgraced ship captain William Day as he uncovers his past and the true nature of his relationship with his second in command, Jesse Stevens. Haunted by his actions during a previous Arctic expedition, Day embarks on a journey to find Stevens, delving into themes of survival, cannibalism, and inner struggles. The writing style is described as immersive, atmospheric, and eerie, creating a chilling and hopeless atmosphere that forces readers to confront the characters' motivations and actions.

All the White Spaces by Ally Wilkes is a chilling novel set in the Antarctic during the early 1900s. The story follows a young woman named Jonathan who identifies as male and stows away on an all-male Antarctic expedition led by the legendary explorer James Australis Randall. As disaster strikes, the crew must seek shelter in an abandoned cabin to survive the brutal Antarctic winter. The novel expertly weaves elements of horror, survival, and gender exploration, creating a tense and suspenseful atmosphere as the crew faces both the unforgiving elements of the Antarctic and a paranormal presence that threatens their lives.

The writing style in All the White Spaces is described as vivid and realistic, with well-developed characters and a dark, eerie tone that keeps readers on edge. The plot unfolds with a mix of intimate character moments, scenes of survival, and paranormal encounters, culminating in a gripping narrative that delves into themes of grief, loss, and the struggle for survival in the face of unimaginable horror.

In 'Wild Nights!' by Joyce Carol Oates, the author delves into the final years of five renowned writers - Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), Henry James, and Ernest Hemingway. Oates weaves a collection of five short stories, each recreating the last days of these literary figures by incorporating little-known facts from their lives and emulating their unique writing styles. The result is a dark yet captivating exploration into the lives and minds of these literary greats, showcasing Oates' skill as a writer and her ability to embody the essence of each author she portrays.

Oates' 'Wild Nights!' is a creative tour de force, offering readers a glimpse into a parallel reality where the secret lives of poets and writers, from Dickinson to Poe to Hemingway, are brought to light. Through her unique storytelling, Oates not only captures the essence of each writer but also delves into their innermost thoughts and struggles, providing a truly engaging and thought-provoking read for those interested in literary fiction and the psychological depths of famous authors.

In the summer of 1879, the USS Jeannette embarked on a perilous journey to map a course to the North Pole. However, their mission quickly turned disastrous as the ship became trapped in the ice near the Bering Strait. Forced to abandon ship, the crew faced a harrowing march across the ice, battling cold, starvation, injuries, and polar bears in their quest for survival. Hampton Sides' "In the Kingdom of Ice" vividly portrays the courage, suffering, and sometimes insanity of the crew members, painting a gripping picture of their audacious Arctic expedition in the late 1800s.

Sides' storytelling is masterful, weaving a tale of adventure, survival, and loss in the unforgiving Arctic landscape. The narrative is enriched with historical references, providing insights into the cultural norms of the time, the impact of the media, and prevailing beliefs. Through meticulous research and captivating writing, Sides brings to life the grand and terrible polar voyage of the USS Jeannette, capturing the essence of human endurance and the tragic consequences of hubris in a bygone era.

Livia Llewellyn's 'Furnace' is a collection of dark and sensual stories that blend horror, the strange, and the erotic into a haunting and evocative narrative. The book features tales that explore themes of death, annihilation, and transformation, all wrapped in sumptuous prose and unsettling dream logic. Readers are drawn into a world where reality is turned inside out, with blood, sex, and horror on full display, leaving a lasting impact reminiscent of Franz Kafka's work.

The collection showcases Llewellyn's talent for crafting stories that are dark, disturbing, and unforgettable. From explicit sex intertwined with themes of death to narratives that challenge perceptions of reality, 'Furnace' takes readers on a journey through ethereal landscapes where characters grapple with their desires, fears, and the unknown. Each story in the collection offers a unique exploration of human nature, often leaving readers with conflicting emotions and a sense of unease that lingers long after the book is closed.

'The Other Side of the Mountain' by Michel Bernanos is a haunting and eerie tale of two survivors of a shipwreck who find themselves in surreal and bizarre surroundings that seem like a different planet. The story delves into themes of madness, friendship, and survival as the characters navigate through a post-apocalyptic-like world filled with dark perils and disturbing encounters. The writing style is described as easy to read yet deeply impactful, leaving vivid images in the minds of readers long after finishing the novella.

The Enormous Room by E.E. Cummings is an autobiographical novel recounting the author's time spent in a French prison during World War I. Cummings, along with a friend, was detained for several months due to suspicions of treason. The book vividly describes the characters Cummings encounters during his imprisonment, the conditions of the prison, and the daily struggles faced by the detainees. The prose is dense and interspersed with French dialogue, creating a challenging yet rewarding reading experience for those who appreciate Cummings' unique writing style.

'The Ghost Pirates' by William Hope Hodgson is a classic horror tale set aboard a sailing ship, where strange supernatural phenomena plague the crew, leading to a sense of escalating dread and mystery. The story is narrated by a traumatized sailor named Jessop, who recounts the eerie events that unfold during the doomed voyage, including sightings of shadowy figures, unexplained accidents, and encounters with ghostly apparitions. Hodgson's writing style effectively creates a haunting atmosphere, with sparse descriptions and ambiguous details adding to the tension and suspense of the narrative.

The plot of 'The Ghost Pirates' revolves around a sailor named Jessop who signs on to a reputedly haunted ship, only to witness a series of inexplicable and terrifying occurrences at sea. As the story unfolds, the sense of isolation and unease among the crew grows, culminating in a confrontation with mysterious forces that threaten their very existence. Hodgson's use of nautical terminology and vivid descriptions of supernatural events immerse the reader in a world of maritime horror, where the line between reality and the paranormal blurs, leaving a sense of lingering unease and uncertainty.