#literary-fiction

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New spy novel from William Boyd will keep readers guessing

Gabriel Dax becomes entangled in a geopolitical scandal after interviewing Lumumba, questioning his role amidst darker powers at play.

Briefly Noted Book Reviews

The novel explores the complexities of an intercultural marriage and the nuances of class and culture that affect communication.

Sarah Jessica Parker gets a golden ticket' to the judging panel of 2025 Booker prize

Sarah Jessica Parker's new role as a Booker Prize judge signifies a blend of celebrity and literary advocacy.

Opinion | The Disappearance of Literary Men Should Worry Everyone

Literary fiction has become predominantly female, with women authors and readers comprising a significant majority.

The Great New York Novelist Is Finally Back

Richard Price's dialogue stands out in storytelling, showcasing character depth and a unique urban perspective in his works.
#identity

Greg Jackson on the Intersection of Mind and World

The story explores identity, memory loss, and self-discovery through the journey of a man on an unfamiliar island.

A Man Searches for Meaning in Mike Fu's Unnerving Debut Novel, 'Masquerade'

Meadow's journey in 'Masquerade' explores identity and agency amidst existential dread and aimlessness, ultimately culminating in a hopeful resolution.

Greg Jackson on the Intersection of Mind and World

The story explores identity, memory loss, and self-discovery through the journey of a man on an unfamiliar island.

A Man Searches for Meaning in Mike Fu's Unnerving Debut Novel, 'Masquerade'

Meadow's journey in 'Masquerade' explores identity and agency amidst existential dread and aimlessness, ultimately culminating in a hopeful resolution.
moreidentity
#fantasy-literature

Susanna Clarke Wrote a Hit Novel Set in a Magical Realm. Then She Disappeared.

Susanna Clarke returns to the world of 'Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell' twenty years after its debut, reinforcing her legacy in fantasy literature.

Susanna Clarke Wrote a Hit Novel Set in a Magical Realm. Then She Disappeared.

Susanna Clarke's debut novel redefined fantasy literature and became a bestseller, merging elements of literary fiction with its intricate magical world.

Susanna Clarke Wrote a Hit Novel Set in a Magical Realm. Then She Disappeared.

Susanna Clarke returns to the world of 'Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell' twenty years after its debut, reinforcing her legacy in fantasy literature.

Susanna Clarke Wrote a Hit Novel Set in a Magical Realm. Then She Disappeared.

Susanna Clarke's debut novel redefined fantasy literature and became a bestseller, merging elements of literary fiction with its intricate magical world.
morefantasy-literature

A Sunny Place for Shady People by Mariana Enriquez review domestic goddess of grotesque tales

Mariana Enriquez's latest collection reiterates her mastery of horror, blending political themes with intimate domestic struggles.
#character-development

'I like to write about women, their stories are more secretive'

Chevalier's deep involvement in historical crafts informs her characters and enhances her storytelling.

Paula Hawkins Returns With Psychological Thriller 'The Blue Hour'

The novel uses a slow build-up style, focusing on artistic themes, setting secrets, and culminating in an unexpected ending.

'Long Island' renders bare the universality of longing

Sequels like 'Long Island' can match or surpass the original's impact by continuing beloved characters' stories in a compelling manner.

'I like to write about women, their stories are more secretive'

Chevalier's deep involvement in historical crafts informs her characters and enhances her storytelling.

Paula Hawkins Returns With Psychological Thriller 'The Blue Hour'

The novel uses a slow build-up style, focusing on artistic themes, setting secrets, and culminating in an unexpected ending.

'Long Island' renders bare the universality of longing

Sequels like 'Long Island' can match or surpass the original's impact by continuing beloved characters' stories in a compelling manner.
morecharacter-development

Small Rain by Garth Greenwell review staring death in the face

The poet explores themes of love, regret, and vulnerability while facing illness, longing for connection with his partner during turbulent times.
#social-commentary

Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi review fast and filthy in New Lagos

Moral decay seeps into every fiber of life in the dark turns of 'Little Rot' by Akwaeke Emezi

A Story Collection About People Who Just Can't Hang

Tony Tulathimutte's 'Rejection' explores the humor in the lives of inept, self-obsessed characters, presenting their failures with unflinching precision.

Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi review fast and filthy in New Lagos

Moral decay seeps into every fiber of life in the dark turns of 'Little Rot' by Akwaeke Emezi

A Story Collection About People Who Just Can't Hang

Tony Tulathimutte's 'Rejection' explores the humor in the lives of inept, self-obsessed characters, presenting their failures with unflinching precision.
moresocial-commentary
#sally-rooney

Hot Commodity

Sally Rooney's novels explore the tension between millennial anticapitalist sentiments and the pursuit of traditional life goals.

'Intermezzo' is Sally Rooney's most moving novel yet

Rooney's "Intermezzo" captures the complexity of love and loss between two Irish brothers, highlighting the importance of deep personal connections.

Hot Commodity

Sally Rooney's works combine literary depth with mass appeal, reflecting both generational struggles and romantic pursuits.

Hot Commodity

Sally Rooney's novels explore the tension between millennial anticapitalist sentiments and the pursuit of traditional life goals.

'Intermezzo' is Sally Rooney's most moving novel yet

Rooney's "Intermezzo" captures the complexity of love and loss between two Irish brothers, highlighting the importance of deep personal connections.

Hot Commodity

Sally Rooney's works combine literary depth with mass appeal, reflecting both generational struggles and romantic pursuits.
moresally-rooney

Book Review: A Return to the Creepy Tensions of Area X'

Jeff VanderMeer's 'Absolution' intricately weaves themes of memory, identity, and ecological interaction, deepening the exploration of his Southern Reach Trilogy.

Here are the new books we're looking forward to this fall

Fall brings a rich selection of intriguing book releases to watch for, offering diverse genres and gripping narratives.

Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner review double dealing in deepest France

Rachel Kushner's latest novel, Creation Lake, combines espionage with vibrant characters, showcasing her evolving style and thematic exploration.
#immigration

Fitzcarraldo Editions Makes Challenging Literature Chic

Testard's delayed discovery of 'Flights' by Olga Tokarczuk after Brexit led to establishing a successful London publishing house with a focus on literary fiction and essays.

Someone Like Us by Dinaw Mengestu review haunting American dreams

Mamush investigates Samuel's death, leading to personal self-discovery amidst professional fatigue.

Fitzcarraldo Editions Makes Challenging Literature Chic

Testard's delayed discovery of 'Flights' by Olga Tokarczuk after Brexit led to establishing a successful London publishing house with a focus on literary fiction and essays.

Someone Like Us by Dinaw Mengestu review haunting American dreams

Mamush investigates Samuel's death, leading to personal self-discovery amidst professional fatigue.
moreimmigration

Claire Messud's Remarkable Experiment in Historical Fiction

In literary fiction, the assumption of autobiographical elements can hinder the interpretation of the author's traditional ambitions of interpreting and transforming reality.

What are 'the kids' thinking these days? Honor Levy aims to tell in 'My First Book'

Levy's debut story collection explores the experience of growing up white, privileged, and part of Gen Z, characterized by internet-infused chaos and absurdity.

Sad girl novels: the dubious branding of women's emotive fiction

Novels labeled as 'sad girl novels' typically feature protagonists who are miserable, disaffected, and ambivalent, often analyzing their own situations.
The term 'sad girl novel' is associated with highly educated characters suffering under capitalism and struggling with relationships, with authors like Karl Ove Knausgaard and Brandon Taylor exemplifying this trend.

His Novel Sold a Million Copies. James McBride Isn't Sure How He Feels About That.

James McBride successfully transitions from musician to bestselling author.
Rare literary fiction success story seen in James McBride's book sales.

The Stories in 'Green Frog' Are Wildly Entertaining and Wonderfully Diverse | KQED

Green Frog is a diverse collection of short stories blending literary fiction, fable, Korean folklore, and science fiction.
The stories in Green Frog showcase themes of loss, love, identity, and the blend of reality and fantasy.

Why Does Every Famous Woman Have a Book Club Now?

Dakota Johnson launches "TeaTime" book club with Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino as its first pick.
The book club focuses on literary fiction, highlighting female authors and first-time novelists, aiming to bring gravitas to Instagram.

Kathryn Scanlan wins Gordon Burn prize for novel Kick the Latch

Kathryn Scanlan wins Gordon Burn prize for novel about horse training
Kick the Latch pushes boundaries of form and genre

Kelly Link's debut novel 'The Book of Love' is magical, confusing, heartfelt, strange

Kelly Link's debut novel, The Book of Love, is a 600-page behemoth that blurs the line between speculative and literary fiction.
The story follows Laura, Daniel, and Mo, who return from the dead and must navigate their new reality while unraveling the mystery surrounding their resurrection.
#literary fiction

The Future by Naomi Alderman review survival of the fittest

Naomi Alderman's novel, The Future, combines literary and historical knowledge with a fast-paced narrative.
The novel explores humanity's destructive tendencies and questions whether we can imagine and create a better future.

The big idea: should we abolish literary genres?

Hilary Mantel recalls the beginnings of her career as a novelist in her Reith lecture of 2017.
Mantel struggled to get her historical fiction novel, A Place of Greater Safety, published due to the lack of interest in the French Revolution as a topic.
Mantel criticizes the idea of genre and labels in literature, calling them confining and meaningless.

The Future by Naomi Alderman review survival of the fittest

Naomi Alderman's novel, The Future, combines literary and historical knowledge with a fast-paced narrative.
The novel explores humanity's destructive tendencies and questions whether we can imagine and create a better future.

The big idea: should we abolish literary genres?

Hilary Mantel recalls the beginnings of her career as a novelist in her Reith lecture of 2017.
Mantel struggled to get her historical fiction novel, A Place of Greater Safety, published due to the lack of interest in the French Revolution as a topic.
Mantel criticizes the idea of genre and labels in literature, calling them confining and meaningless.
moreliterary fiction

Where Is All the Sad Boy Literature?

Literary fiction often focuses on the sad girl narrative, overshadowing male counterparts, reflecting societal norms and impacting self-image perceptions.

In 'Parade,' Rachel Cusk once again flouts traditional narrative

Parade by Rachel Cusk explores abstract themes without a central narrative, leaving readers to decipher connections between artists, gender, and freedom.

Toronto author Jamaluddin Aram among winners of $10K Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize | CBC Books

Jamaluddin Aram wins 2024 Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for his novel set in 1990s Kabul, Afghanistan amidst civil war.
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