Books Like...

'Willard and His Bowling Trophies' by Richard Brautigan is a quirky and surreal novel that follows the lives of two couples, the Logan brothers, and a papier mache bird named Willard. The story involves elements of humor, melancholy, and absurdity, with a unique writing style that combines postmodern sensibilities, non-linear narrative, and jarring stylistic approaches. Brautigan's playfulness with characterization and his ability to portray individuals and their peculiar behaviors in a light-hearted yet profound manner make this book a compelling read.

In "Elect Mr. Robinson for a Better World" by Donald Antrim, the story unfolds in a surreal and dystopian world where the city falls into a dark quagmire of paranoia and violence. The narrative follows Pete Robinson, a man with extreme delusions, navigating a society equally delusional. The book explores the brutal goings-on in a matter-of-fact tone, tempting readers to accept the horrors as normal while simultaneously shocking them. The plot involves fortified houses, people transforming into animals, public executions, and a descent into savagery that challenges societal norms and acceptance of violence.

Antrim's writing style in this book is described as pleasantly crafted and varied on the sentence level, creating an unforgettable and sickening world that is both appalling and nauseating. The book is filled with dark humor, unusual situations, and thought-provoking ideas, showcasing the author's ability to make wildly imaginative leaps while maintaining a coherent undertow of pathos. The narrative is a chilling portrayal of the darkest potentials of humanity, with an unsettling ending that leaves readers feeling more sickened than enlightened.

'Angel Dust Apocalypse' by Jeremy Robert Johnson is a collection of bizarre and apocalyptic short stories that delve into themes like body modification, drug use, medical horrors, and the end of the world. The writing style is evocative, reminiscent of authors like Chuck Palahniuk and Lovecraft, with a focus on vivid imagery and exploring the darker aspects of human nature. The stories range from post-nuclear apocalypse scenarios to tales of mental illness and body exploration, creating a unique and unsettling reading experience.

"Fuckness" by Andersen Prunty is a darkly comic novel that follows the protagonist, Wally Black, a sixteen-year-old boy who is bullied, abused, and marginalized in rural Ohio. After being punished by his mother with a set of devil horns fused to his head, Wally's life takes a dark turn as he seeks revenge and embarks on a journey filled with retribution, abomination, mischief, and adventure. The narrative delves into themes of abuse, bullying, and the power dynamics of cruelty, presenting a coming-of-age story that is both violent and terrifying, yet strangely enthralling.

The writing style of "Fuckness" is described as smooth and inventive, with layers of profoundness hidden within seemingly simple prose. The author, Andersen Prunty, is commended for his fresh voice and passion for crafting a narrative that is both unique and engaging. is praised for its ability to tackle complex themes such as geek culture, poverty, and the struggles of adolescence with a deft pen, offering readers a story that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

'Une Semaine de Bonte' by Max Ernst is a surreal collage novel that showcases darkly surreal images created from 19th-century engravings. The book consists of 182 collages that are described as beautiful, dreamlike, nonsensical, and amusing. The lack of text accompanying each collage allows the to create their own storyline to run through each of the 7 sections. The overall atmosphere of the book is gothic and bizarre, filled with motifs of people with animal heads, winged ladies, and water elements.

'HELP! A Bear is Eating Me!' by Mykle Hansen is a dark comedy that follows the misadventures of Marv Pushkin, a male chauvinistic executive who finds himself trapped under his SUV in Alaska while being eaten by a bear. The story is narrated through Marv's inner monologue, filled with humor, drug-induced hallucinations, and reflections on his life choices. Despite the absurdity of the situation, the author manages to create a character that is both despicable and strangely lovable, drawing readers into Marv's twisted world.

'The Haunted Vagina' by Carlton Mellick III follows the story of Steve and Stacy, where strange noises start emanating from Stacy's lady parts, and a skeleton emerges from her vagina one night. As Steve explores further, he discovers that her vagina is a portal to another realm where he encounters bizarre landscapes and characters, including Fig, Stacy's childhood imaginary friend. The story delves into themes of love, transformation, and surrealism, offering a unique and unconventional take on the horror genre. The writing style is described as weirdly imaginative, oddly explicit but not pornographic, and kind of sweet but definitely not sexy, blending elements of horror and fantasy in a short, fast-paced narrative.

"Dreamside" by Graham Joyce is a novel that delves into the intriguing concept of lucid dreaming, where four college students - Ella, Lee, Brad, and Honora - participate in a psychology research project to explore the boundaries of dreaming. Under the guidance of a psychology professor, they develop their abilities in lucid dreaming, but as they push the limits, they find themselves immersed in the dream world to a dangerous extent. The story unfolds both during their college years and thirteen years later, as they are haunted by dark dreams and must confront the consequences of their past actions. Graham Joyce's writing style is described as poetic and subtle, with a sense of menace and foreboding that sets this book apart from other storytelling in the genre.

'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.