I think I’ve discovered that my favorite genre of literary fiction is very dense novels where the plot is not the point. Not ones that don’t have one, but ones where the story is secondary to what happens to the character and the conversations that take place and the ideas that are presented. I don’t know what to call this but I’m sure there’s a term for it.
Obviously my favorite author of fiction is Cormac McCarthy, and his last novels, The Passenger and Stella Marris, have not left my mind since I read them last year, mainly TP. I also like Steinbeck a lot.
What other novels or authors are like this?
It’s worth noting also that I consider – probably – my favorite working film director to be Nuri Bilge Ceylan, and his films are often cited as “being like dense novels” despite being original screenplays. His newest film, About Dry Grasses, is probably my favorite of his.
I also very much enjoyed the new 4th season of True Detective, where McCarthy was obviously an influence, which is sort of in the same wheelhouse, with lots of talking and philosophizing while the plot is sort of in the background.
What should I add to my read list based on this very specific taste? Please no science fiction or fantasy. Big ups if it has a mystery at the center of it like CM’s The Passenger or TD season 4.
by SneakyOstrich69