With approximately three million books published every year, it’s understandable that some exceptional titles might get lost in the fray. Some, like the ones discussed here, were well-regarded at the time of their release and have since become part of a vast sea of literature. These forgotten novels, rich in their narrative, deserve a second chance. Read along to find some hidden gems in the stacks of history.
The Shipping News by Annie Proulx
A mixture of love story and environmental novel, The Shipping News brings together a washed-up news reporter and the wild Newfoundland landscape. After the death of his wife, Quoyle’s aunt convinces him to uproot his family of two daughters back to their ancestral home of Killick-Claw, Newfoundland. He finds a job at the local newspaper and is assigned to cover shipping news and car wreck stories. Quoyle finds his strengths, a love interest, and a new home in this quaint town filled with the ones often left behind. This artistic novel by Annie Proulx paints a beautiful picture of the harsh climate, culture, and language of Newfoundland.
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
In a tale as old as time, The Namesake takes readers through the internal struggles of growing up as a child of immigrants. Gogol grows up being embarrassed by his parents, ashamed of his name, and feeling forced to participate in his own culture. As he navigates his way through college, he finds himself in different relationships, trying to fill the void of the American family that he wished he had growing up. As he matures, he finds familiarity in his heritage and longs for more of the connection that he shunned for most of his life. Jhumpa Lahiri writes beautifully as one would fondly remember a life well-lived, skimming over the mundane and highlighting the cherished memories.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Trigger Warning: The mention of racism may be triggering for some readers. Please read the author’s notes prior to purchasing.
This historical fiction, blended with fantasy, brings us to 19th-century England during the Napoleonic Wars. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell are attempting to revive practical magic for the public of England. Mr. Norrell, quiet and reserved, finds his efforts challenged by the young and charismatic Jonathan Strange. During their time together, Strange feels restricted by Mr. Norrell’s teachings and seeks alternative paths to achieve their goal. A dangerous alliance or two later and the peers find that their rivalry has much larger consequences than either of them can foresee. The writing of Susanna Clarke feels classic in its prose, illuminating a well-researched portrait of England, including its complex issues with class structures and race relations.
The Known World by Edward P. Jones
Trigger Warning: The mention of racism, slavery, and assault may be triggering for some readers. Please read the author’s notes prior to purchasing.
The Known World unfolds from the night of Henry Townsend’s death in 1855, shifting through time to reveal the complexities of slavery and its impact on both enslaved people and enslavers. Though his own father and mother bought themselves, and later Henry, out of enslavement, their relationship is strained when Henry reveals he is planning to enslave another, Moses. Back in the present, we find Henry’s wife, Caldonia, with struggles of her own as she must decide what to do with the plantation and the people living there after her husband’s death. Edward P. Jones’ choice to jump through time and overlap plotlines showcases the ugliness of humanity in a way that still feels original.
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
The Corrections lets readers glimpse into the life of the Lamberts. Alfred, 75, is diagnosed with Parkinson’s and dementia. Enid, his wife, works to keep the family of three children together even though she’s at the stage of her life where she would rather see the world than watch her husband rot. Their three children, Gary, Chip, and Denise, are struggling in their own, unique ways. Despite all their flaws and dysfunctions, Enid wants nothing more than the whole family to get together for Christmas. Jonathan Franzen sheds light on many of the issues faced by the American family, amplifying them beyond the norm.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
Written with dual perspectives, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao follows Oscar and his sister, Lola. From his home in New Jersey, Oscar struggles with finding his identity in the face of his family’s curse. During summer trips to live with their aunt in the Dominican Republic, Oscar decides he wants to be an author. Lola is the rebellious teenager of the family due to a strained relationship with their mother. She goes to live permanently with their aunt and attend school. Throughout the novel, glimpses into the family’s tragic past reveal themselves as part of the narrative, including the origin of the fuku curse that has been placed upon them. Junot Diaz weaves together a heartfelt story that celebrates moving forward when everything seems lost.
Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection Field Notes by Dr. Robert Twombly by Don Roff, Illustrated by Chris Lane
Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection reads like a personal art journal or a field guide to the zombie apocalypse. Dr. Robert Twombly is working in downtown Seattle when the infection begins. Readers follow along as he moves from his home office into a houseboat and various encampments afterwards. Throughout his travels, Dr. Twombly must find food, care for others who deteriorate before his eyes, and above all: survive. Don Roff takes zombies to another level with detailed biological descriptions and harrowing tales of survival, while Chris Lane knocks the graphic illustrations out of the park.
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
Let the Great World Spin follows a young Irish monk, a support group of mothers, a young artist, and a grandmother in seemingly separate narratives on the day a tightrope walker performed his act between the Twin Towers. Corrigan is an Irishman who becomes a catholic monk and moves to the Bronx after joining the Order. Claire, a wealthy woman who lives on the Upper East Side, hosts her support group of women who mourn their sons lost to the Vietnam War. Readers bounce from narrative to narrative, filling in more blanks surrounding the tightrope act of Philippe Petit. Colum McCann finds a way to perfectly mirror the depth of the human world through the many stories he weaves together.
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
The Luminaries transports readers to 19th-century New Zealand during a gold rush as Walter Moody steps off the boat. Making his way into town, Walter interrupts a group of 12 men during a secret meeting. Each man has a different tragedy to tell at the meeting, speculating that these events must be connected. Time shifts to a year prior, detailing what led to the events that the 12 men were discussing in the room. With another time shift, we learn more of the truth behind some of the events. Always one step behind, Walter tries his best to help solve these mysteries. Eleanor Catton’s astrological references and colorful characters bring finesse and determination to the historical fiction genre.
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Set in Chicago in 1920, The Paris Wife follows 28-year-old Hadley Richardson, who has given up on love until she meets Ernest Hemingway. Their whirlwind courtship and marriage bring the couple to Paris in search of acceptance in the writing world. As Ernest succumbs to the art, their marriage takes the brunt of it. By making her own circle of friends to lean on for support, Hadley eventually allows Ernest to divorce her after he falls in love with a mutual friend. Hadley goes on to live a wonderfully normal life without him, though Ernest’s love life was much more tumultuous. Paula McLain drops readers into a rich world of debauchery and decadence while telling a tale as old as time.
Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
Bring Up the Bodies is the second of the Thomas Cromwell series and is often overlooked. After the lengthy courtship to marry Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII wants only a son from her and not the alienation that comes with their marriage. Henry’s Master Secretary, Thomas Cromwell, works behind the scenes to keep the gossip about Anne’s alleged infidelity and Henry’s courtship of Jane Seymour at bay. After a jousting incident, Cromwell is tasked with bringing down Anne Boleyn, forcing him to ally with his enemies to dethrone her and her family. Hilary Mantel is able to take a story we all know and break it apart in a way that feels brand new.
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
Trigger Warning: The mention of alcohol consumption and drug use may be triggering for some readers. Please read the author’s notes prior to purchasing.
The story of a failing novelist, Less brings us along as Arthur Less attempts to avoid the wedding of his recent ex-boyfriend. Arthur achieves this by accepting literary invitations from around the globe. From New York to Mexico, Germany, India, and Japan, Arthur participates in panels, wins awards, teaches a writing course, and, most importantly, turns 50. During his worldly travels, Arthur uncovers the parts of himself that need to be amplified in order to find happiness. Andrew Sean Greer plays with humor and irony in this story of unrequited love, which ultimately leads to Arthur’s self-acceptance.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Trigger Warning: The mention of domestic violence, sexual assault, and self-harm may be triggering for some readers. Please read the author’s notes prior to purchasing.
A Little Life introduces readers to Malcolm, JB, Jude, and Willem in the years following their time as college roommates. Malcolm now lives at home, struggling to realize his own talent and jealous of his friends. Jude and Willem share an apartment, and aspiring actor JB lives with a wealthy artist friend. Over the course of the story, their relationships deepen, littered with pangs of success, addiction, and pride. Jude finds that his childhood trauma might be too much to bear and keep him from living life to his fullest potential. The dark story crafted by Hanya Yanagihara recounts an all-too-common story of mental illness that stems from childhood trauma.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Trigger Warning: The mention of attempted suicide may be triggering for some readers. Please read the author’s notes prior to purchasing.
A Man Called Ove takes us through the life of a crotchety 59-year-old Swedish man named Ove. As a child, Ove lived with his father working together at the railway. He meets a woman on the train, Sonja, who is traveling to school to become a teacher. After some courting, the two get married, and once Sonja becomes pregnant, they buy a house. In the present day, we see Ove mourning the death of his wife, contemplating suicide. Over a series of comical events, his attempts are repeatedly delayed, with a new distraction arising each day. Fredrik Backman knows how to weave a story and make you feel real, sobbing in my bedroom, feelings for this cantankerous older man.
When you’re an avid reader like those of us at Bookstr, it’s easy to forget some of the books that have come and gone over the years. These literary gems have been set aside in favor of the millions of books that are released every year. Yet, these timeless novels, filled with unforgettable characters, merit a spot on your TBR.
Even more forgotten gems can be found here on Bookstr.
Find these books and more on our Exploring the Depths of Literary Fiction bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
