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.
Set in 1960s Kerala, India, this Booker Prize-winning novel tells the story of fraternal twins Estha and Rahel, whose lives are shaped by a family tragedy and societal taboos. Roy’s lyrical prose weaves themes of caste, colonialism, love, and memory in a nonlinear narrative. The God of Small Things is a haunting, richly textured novel about loss, forbidden love, and the enduring pull of the past.
This emotional and lyrical novel begins with a body left on a Nigerian doorstep—the body of Vivek Oji. As family and friends piece together his life and death, a portrait emerges of a gentle, misunderstood soul navigating gender identity, family expectations, and queerness in a conservative society. Told with tenderness and poetic prose, The Death of Vivek Oji explores love, grief, identity, and the spaces between. It’s a poignant and powerful story about living one’s truth in a world that often refuses to see. Emezi offers a deeply human narrative full of compassion and quiet rebellion.
by Kaveh Akbar
Kaveh Akbar's debut novel, Martyr!, follows Cyrus Shams, a first-generation Iranian American poet grappling with the loss of his mother, who died in a tragic plane bombing. Haunted by grief and searching for meaning, Cyrus embarks on a journey that intertwines his personal struggles with broader themes of identity, legacy, and artistic expression. The narrative delves into the complexities of family, sacrifice, and self-discovery, highlighting the immigrant experience and the impact of loss. Akbar's prose offers a poignant reflection on the human condition and the quest for purpose.
Douglas Stuart's Shuggie Bain portrays the harrowing coming-of-age of a young boy in 1980s Glasgow, navigating poverty and his mother's alcoholism. Shuggie's unwavering love for his mother, Agnes, anchors the narrative as he grapples with his identity and the harsh realities of his environment. The novel offers a raw and compassionate exploration of addiction, resilience, and the enduring bonds of family.