3 hand-picked literary fiction, dark humor, and identity exploration books curated by NextBookAfter.
This novel captures the witty, introspective exploration of identity and perception found in How to Be Both, blending dark humor with themes of grief and self-discovery through an unreliable queer protagonist navigating life's absurdities.
If you devoured Boy Parts for Irina's weaponized sexuality and pitch-black humor skewering the art world's pretensions, I'm a Fan delivers the same unrepentant thrill through a narrator's obsessive digital stalking and savage critique of influencer culture. Both novels revel in unlikable protagonists who embrace their inner monstrosity, blending psychological depth with biting satire on gender dynamics and moral ambiguity. Perfect for fans craving cathartic stories that mirror life's messy truths without redemption or easy answers.
For fans of Ben Lerner's introspective autofiction in 10:04, Martyr! offers a similarly witty and meta exploration of art, identity, and existential dread through the lens of a poet grappling with grief and addiction in contemporary America.