In All Fours, a 45-year-old semi-famous artist embarks on a spontaneous cross-country road trip from Los Angeles to New York, leaving behind her structured life. Her journey leads her to unexpected encounters and introspection, exploring themes of desire, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles and Monrovia, California, the novel delves into the protagonist's navigation of societal norms and personal freedom. Miranda July's narrative is a reflective and intimate exploration of midlife transformation and the pursuit of authenticity.
Miranda July is an American filmmaker, writer, and performance artist known for her eclectic and boundary-pushing work. Born in 1974, she gained acclaim with her debut film Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005), which won the Caméra d'Or at Cannes. Her literary contributions include the short story collection No One Belongs Here More Than You and novels like The First Bad Man and All Fours (2024). July's work often explores themes of intimacy, identity, and human connection, blending humor with poignant observations. Her multidisciplinary approach has solidified her as a unique voice in contemporary art and literature.
by Kiran Desai
Set in the Himalayas during a time of political unrest, this Booker Prize winner follows a retired judge, his orphaned granddaughter, and their cook as they navigate personal and societal change. Interwoven with the cook’s son’s immigrant struggles in the U.S., The Inheritance of Loss examines colonial legacy, cultural dislocation, and fractured identities with lyrical poignancy.
In the 1960s, brilliant chemist Elizabeth Zott challenges sexist norms in academia and television when she becomes the host of a cooking show that teaches women about science and independence. Blending humor, feminism, and heart, Lessons in Chemistry celebrates intellect, defiance, and the transformative power of belief—in yourself and in change.
by Yaa Gyasi
Yaa Gyasi’s Transcendent Kingdom follows Gifty, a Ghanaian-American neuroscientist grappling with her family's suffering and her own search for meaning. As she researches addiction and depression, she reflects on her brother’s opioid overdose, her mother’s depression, and her evangelical Christian upbringing. The novel explores the intersection of science, faith, grief, and the immigrant experience. With intimate prose and intellectual depth, Gyasi reveals how trauma and cultural identity shape one’s understanding of the world and the self.
by Vikram Seth
Vikram Seth’s An Equal Music is a lyrical novel centered on Michael, a violinist haunted by the memory of Julia, a former lover and pianist. When they reunite after a decade, their rekindled connection is shadowed by personal and professional complexities, including Julia’s progressive hearing loss. The book explores the emotional intensity of music, the ache of lost opportunities, and the balance between art and love. With poetic prose and musical precision, it is a poignant meditation on creativity and longing.