The concept of the “kafkaesque” is often poorly defined and understood. In the simplest terms, something is kafkaesque if it reflects the themes explored in Franz Kafka’s fiction; namely, those of bureaucracy and the confusing—often nonsensical—rules, behaviours, and mannerisms of our modern existence. These themes criticise law, social niceties, and capitalism, amongst other things. Stories …
Korean Literature
Novellas provide a special kind of reading experience, and require their own kind of skill to craft. Shorter than a novel (but still often expected to carry the same narrative heft) and longer than a short story, novellas are exciting in their uniqueness. They can be re-read more easily and therefore provide more thematic satisfaction …
South Korea is a fascinating country with a rich history and culture. In recent decades, it has also become a major economic and technological power. As a result, there is a growing interest in South Korea from people all over the world. South Korean literature is among the most beloved in the world, and immersing …
While literary fiction is a relatively broad genre (if it can be called a genre at all), and a relatively young definition, there is still a great wealth of literary fiction books out there. Here you’ll find some of the best literary fiction books ever written, some of which are beloved classics from the 20th …
The twentieth century saw the publication of many of the greatest works of literature ever written. All around the world, writers were inventing entire genres, pushing boundaries, blending fiction and philosophy, and so much more. Many of the great novels that we call modern classic books today were written in the 20th century. And beyond …
Historical fiction is a brilliantly broad genre of fiction, with the potential to span so much of human history and culture. Because of this fact, many of the best historical fiction books come from far and wide — from Latin America to Japan, and everywhere in-between. But, of course, the UK has a particular affinity …
Horror stories are important to us, but it can sometimes be difficult to say why. The voyeuristic thrill of seeing others in danger and fearing for their lives or their sanity; the unique opportunity to get close to death and danger while remaining safe. Horror is a genre like no other, and the best horror …
Of all the great genres of literature, thriller books can be some of the hardest to define and box into a specific style or collection of tropes. The best thriller books often tip into similar genres: mystery novels, horror novels, and crime novels. For that reason, you’ll find plenty of genre overlap here. But it’s …
Ask anyone with at least one eye on world literature in translation which countries are putting out the most groundbreaking novels, and they will likely mention South Korea. Korean novels frequently bend and break genres, explore often untouched social and political themes, and speak to our very souls. If you’re looking for the best Korean …
The allure of love, passion, and heart-stirring emotions has long drawn readers to the world of romance literature. This carefully curated collection of the best romance books promises to ignite your imagination and captivate your heart. From timeless classics to modern love stories, and spicy tales these romance books cater to every taste, whisking you …