Books Like...

'Eileen' by Ottessa Moshfegh is a dark and weird novel that follows the story of the titular character, Eileen, as she navigates her unhappy life living with her alcoholic father and working at a juvenile prison. The book is character-oriented, delving deep into Eileen's psyche and odd thoughts, creating a mysterious and uncomfortable atmosphere. The plot, although loose and non-linear, keeps the reader engaged by revealing Eileen's inner life and her impending departure from her small town.

The narrative style of 'Eileen' is described as absorbing, weird, and unsettling, resembling a psychological thriller with a strong focus on character development. The book explores themes of loneliness, obsession, and transformation, with unexpected twists and dark alleys that lead the reader through Eileen's disturbing journey towards self-discovery.

Milk Fed by Melissa Broder is a novel that delves into the complex relationship between food, love, and identity. The story follows Rachel, a woman with a restrictive eating disorder, who begins to explore a newfound sense of freedom and self-acceptance when she meets Miriam, an Orthodox Jewish woman. Their lesbian relationship serves as a catalyst for Rachel to embrace her body and soul, while also questioning elements of her religion and cultural background. The book is described as a mix of humor, wit, and insightful observations on women, daughterhood, and the struggles of forming one's own identity.

The narrative of Milk Fed is filled with graphic details, sharp writing, and a blend of cultural, religious, and nourishment-related themes. Through Rachel's journey of self-discovery and indulgence, the novel explores themes of desire, intimacy, and the importance of breaking societal and personal boundaries. The book offers a unique and sometimes controversial perspective on relationships, self-image, and the complexities of human connection.

'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.

In "The Guest" by Emma Cline, the story follows Alex, a mysterious and complex character who navigates through different settings while keeping her secrets hidden. The plot revolves around Alex's attempts to escape a troubling past while moving through a world of affluent individuals in the Hamptons. The writing style captures the reader's attention with its taut and propulsive narrative, leading us through a week in Alex's life that is filled with intrigue and moral ambiguity.

'A Touch of Jen' by Beth Morgan is a novel that delves into the lives of a couple, Remy and Alicia, who become consumed by their obsession with a woman named Jen. Initially exploring themes of shallow lives and selfishness, the book takes a bizarre turn that leads to a nightmarish and hallucinatory experience for the characters. As they are drawn deeper into Jen's world, the story evolves into a blend of genres, offering a wild and unpredictable narrative that challenges traditional storytelling boundaries. The author's writing style is described as sharp, realistic, and sophisticated, with a focus on psychological states and character development that keeps readers engaged throughout the book.

'Big Swiss' by Jen Beagin follows a therapist's transcriber named Greta as she breaks the fourth wall and engages in an affair with one of the people in therapy, Hudson. The story is filled with quirky elements like bees in the house, purple-haired geriatrics, and ultra Trump supporters. Despite some readers feeling let down by the lack of a satisfying ending, the book is praised for its humor, realness, and the way characters deal with difficult situations.

'Sorrow and Bliss' by Meg Mason is a poignant and immersive novel that delves into the complexities of mental illness, family relationships, and self-discovery. The story follows Martha, a character grappling with her own mental struggles, as she navigates through life with a mix of humor, wit, and heartbreak. The book provides a raw and honest look at Martha's journey of understanding herself and the impact of her mental health on her relationships, especially her marriage. Through a first-person narrative, readers are drawn into Martha's world, filled with emotional ups and downs that leave a lasting impact.

The book beautifully captures the essence of Martha's internal turmoil, her relationships with her family members, and the challenges she faces in accepting herself. With a blend of humor, tenderness, and poignancy, 'Sorrow and Bliss' explores themes of love, mental illness, and the complexities of human emotions. The narrative style moves seamlessly between heartbreakingly sad moments and laugh-out-loud funny instances, creating a compelling and thought-provoking read that lingers in the reader's mind long after finishing the book.

'A Certain Hunger' by Chelsea G. Summers is a dark and sophisticated novel that follows a marvelously complex protagonist who is a woman that kills and eats her lovers, all while maintaining a sharp, satiric eye on the world around her. The writing style is described as gorgeous, with an absolute mastery of language that combines elegance with the rawest matter of humanity. The novel is a compelling and addictive story that delves into visceral, bloody shock while providing poignant insights into human nature.

The book introduces a significant character near the end, which is described as a devastating and well-executed move by the author. The plot is filled with surprising twists and turns, with a narrative that is witty, academic, and meant to shock. The author's writing is poetic, highly descriptive, and captivating, making the reader feel awkward even trying to write about it due to its brilliance and complexity.

'Boy Parts' by Eliza Clark is a darkly comic novel that follows the protagonist, Irina, a photographer in her late twenties who takes explicit photos of random men in Newcastle. The book delves into Irina's downward spiral as she immerses herself in photography, drugs, alcohol, and self-destruction. The narrative explores Irina's relationships, her grip on reality, and her constant spirals and blackouts, all while integrating texts, emails, and blog entries to portray how people react to her and how she interprets their words. The writing style is intense, sometimes violent, and sometimes strange, with a strong voice that brings out the intriguing and complex character of Irina.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is a haunting and beautifully written novel that delves into the descent of Esther Greenwood into madness and depression. The story follows Esther, a young woman with a bright future, as she struggles with her mental health, ends up in a psychiatric ward after a suicide attempt, and navigates her way back to normalcy. Plath's writing style is described as poetic, vivid, and sparse, perfectly capturing the delicate yet powerful essence of the subject matter.

The book provides a raw and honest portrayal of depression, mental illness, and the societal pressures faced by women in the 1950s America. Plath's storytelling is poignant, dark, and at times morbidly funny, offering a deep insight into Esther's internal struggles and the challenges she encounters on her journey towards self-discovery and recovery.