On this site I spend a great deal of time on works of genre fiction, partly because those works overlap so closely with my own endeavors. But that doesn’t mean that more “traditional” literary fare isn’t of interest to me. Or to you for that matter. So here are some of my favorite pieces of contemporary literature from the last few decades or so.
- Travels in the Scriptorium- Paul Auster’s most surrealist work and a personal favorite. This is a book that should be read multiple times. For your first read-through don’t worry so much about trying to figure things out. Just relax and enjoy the words you see in front of you
- A Brief History of Seven Killings– A fictionalized account of the attempted assassination of Bob Marley in 1976. The book spans decades and introduces you to dozens of characters, many of whom are real people or have real world counterparts. An absolutely astounding piece of literary achievement.
- Mr. Fox– Another surreal entry to the list. Helen Oyeyemi is a master wordsmith, and this might be her most enchanting work to date. A story about love, inspiration, and what is real and what is not.
- Spread Eagle- An incredibly funny novel about San Francisco, AIDS, and the gay community. The characters are richly written, and the story is one that makes complete sense if you’ve ever lived in SF. A great read for anyone, but a must if you identify with the LGBT community or are a Bay Area native.
- Never Let Me Go- This novel can be frustrating for some as it is possessed of a few plot holes and its resolution is not particularly satisfying. But its commitment to its emotional themes and laser tight focus on its three main characters are its strengths. Bleak and depressing, it is the banality of the horrors these three young people face and the futility of trying to alter their fate that will stick with you.
- The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao- Magical realism and a protagonist who is obsessed with fantasy and science fiction stories. Any wonder why it makes the list? But really this book is never quite what you expect it to be, and I find that to be a marvelous quality in a novel. For all of you Lord of the Rings fans who also enjoy the more traditional literary fare.
- The Elegance of the Hedgehog- Not an easy read, and it tends to fall into the love it or hate it category. It’s been a few years since I’ve read it and I’m still not sure how I feel. But I do feel it is a work worthy of reading and discussing which is why I have included it here.
- One Hundred Years of Solitude– Too on the nose? Really though this is a fantastic book that many people have heard of and made reference to but haven’t actually read. Don’t be one of those people. I admit its not the easiest of reads but the payoff is there if you stick with it.
- A Gentleman in Moscow– If you think two months of quarantine is bad you should try spending your life in a hotel attic under house arrest. Amor Towels novel about a Russian aristocrat trapped in those very circumstances is a witty tour de force with an incredible ensemble of characters and some very important life lessons for times such as ours. I’ve only read it recently, but I found it to be a joy from start to finish.
- The Ocean at the End of the Lane– Neil Gaiman is a master storyteller and one of my personal heroes of the craft. Here he produces a novel that is less overtly fantastical than his other works but is still steeped in dark fantasy and magical surrealism. Compelling is the aptest descriptor that can be applied to this novel about forgotten memories and search for identity. Once you start it, you’ll not put it down until you’ve finished the last page. Beautiful and bittersweet.