Sometimes you just want a book that gives you some perspective on your life, by giving you an insight into the self-discovery of others. These books offer opportunities for introspection and personal growth, through their characters’ insight and experiences. These stories often follow characters who are searching for their true identity, purpose or a deeper understanding of themselves. Here are ten novels to make you self-reflect as you read them:
Ordinary People by Diana Evans
There is nothing that forces you to rethink your life as stepping into motherhood and dealing with death. Ordinary People is a novel set in South London in 2008. It follows the lives of two couples who find themselves at a crossroads – Melissa, who struggles with identity after having a baby, and Michael, who grapples with fidelity, and Stephanie, who faces a crisis after the death of her partner Damien’s father.
Against the backdrop of Barack Obama’s election victory, the book explores themes of identity, parenthood, grief, friendship, and love. With its compelling yet complex story and themes, Ordinary People delves into the complexities of human relationships and the moments that can unravel us.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Song of Achilles is an award-winning novel that transports readers to ancient Greece during the age of heroes. The story revolves around Patroclus, a prince who is exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Patroclus and Achilles form a deep bond, defying Achilles’s mother, the cruel sea goddess Thetis.
When Helen of Sparta is kidnapped, Achilles is called to war in Troy, and Patroclus follows him, unaware of the challenges that lie ahead. A story about war and an exploration of new love, The Song of Achilles has touched the hearts of many readers with its themes.
Surviving Sting by Paul McDonald
Surviving Sting takes readers on a wild journey through the gritty streets of Walsall in 1979. The story follows Dave ‘Mac’ McVane, an aspiring ‘Ace Face’ who believes he has finally found his golden opportunity when he meets the alluring Joolz. As Mac navigates the dangerous world of the Jerome K. Jerome estate, he also strives to secure a legitimate job as a saddle maker at the Happy Stallion.
Packed with eccentric characters like demented Billy-Bob, sociopathic Tezza, and Brainy Kev, this comic nightmare offers a hilarious yet realistic portrayal of coming-of-age in a seemingly unattractive town. Amidst sex, violence, and betrayals, Surviving Sting guarantees a rollercoaster ride of entertainment and unexpected twists.
In America by Susan Sontag
Set in 1876 a group, led by Poland’s greatest actress. Maryna Zalewska travels to California to join a utopian commune. In America portrays a United States that is largely empty. The image of America is seen as a fantasy and a simplification that meets a more complex reality. In the face of this, Maryna opts to stay and try to triumph on the American stage while others in her group turn home.
If you’re looking for a book that follows one woman’s self-transformation mixed with the world of theatre and the fate of idealism then In America is the self-discovery story for you.
Iron Sunrise by Charles Stross
Iron Sunrise delves into a gripping tale of interstellar conflict and deception. After the obliteration of New Moscow, survivors seek revenge on their presumed enemy, New Dresden. However, there’s more to the story, and Rachel Mansour, an agent for Old Earth, is tasked with uncovering the truth.
With time running out, Rachel’s only hope lies with a teenage renegade named Wednesday Shadowmist, who possesses crucial information. But finding Wednesday is a challenge, and failure to solve the mystery could result in the annihilation of an entire world. In this space opera, Charles Stross weaves a thrilling narrative that combines elements of space warfare, political intrigue, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
The Man Who Hated Football by Will Buckley
In The Man Who Hated Football, author Will Buckley presents a compelling tale of a family man wrestling with the challenges of his personal life and his despised job as a football reporter. Jimmy Stirling, the protagonist, finds himself in a predicament where his wife, editor, and even he himself despair of his circumstances.
Amidst financial struggles, the recent loss of his father, and the burden of a suffocating mortgage, Jimmy questions his fidelity, his desire to keep his job, and even his own sanity. Buckley portrays the character’s crisis with humour and insight in his piercing and comedic debut novel.
A Choreographer’s Cartography by Raman Mundair
A Choreographer’s Cartography is a collection of poems by Raman Mundair that explores a diverse range of themes. Mundair takes you on a literary journey that traverses the landscapes of language, war, and human movement.
From her deep reverence for the language and life of the Shetland Islands to the poignant contemplation of conflict, her words embody a unique blend of passion, compassion, sensitivity, and sensuality. Mundair skilfully crafts a poetic geography that invites readers to question boundaries and explore the interconnectedness of humanity.
Previous Convictions by Simon Temprell
Previous Convictions is a darkly humorous and satirical novel that revolves around the lives of two sisters, Cherry and Jackie. While Cherry wallows in self-pity, Jackie harbours an abhorrent dislike for her recently outed brother-in-law. The plot takes a twisted turn as Jackie’s emotions spiral out of control, and she begins to plot a sinister scheme of murder.
With vivid descriptions of social norms and conventions, the novel highlights themes of homophobia and mental health. Through a mix of comedy and thriller, Temprell presents an entertaining and gripping narrative that keeps the reader hooked until the very end.
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
In the delightful space opera, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, you are taken on a journey through the galaxy alongside a motley crew. Set aboard a spacecraft, Rosemary Harper joins the crew of the aging ship Wayfarer, expecting little more than a bed and an escape from her past. However, she soon discovers a vibrant and eccentric community aboard the ship, including the reptilian pilot Sissix, the chatty engineers Kizzy and Jenks, and the noble captain Ashby. Life aboard the Wayfarer is chaotic and exhilarating, but it takes a dangerous job offer to truly test their bonds and reliance on one another. Through a series of unexpected mishaps and thrilling adventures, Rosemary learns the importance of love, trust, and the meaning of family in the vastness of the universe.
From Sissix, the amiable reptilian pilot, to Kizzy and Jenks, the perpetually argumentative engineers, the crew’s dynamic is both chaotic and relatively peaceful, especially for a main character who craves escape and tranquility. As the crew embarks on their journey, you are taken on a captivating exploration of the vast universe, filled with thrilling adventures and unexpected discoveries.
Everything You Ever Wanted by Luiza Sauma
Finally, we visit a programme called Life on Nyx that features in Everything You Ever Wanted. We follow Cat, a woman who feels stuck in a monotonous and unfulfilling life. She spends her days cooped up in an office, scrolling through social media feeds, and drinking away her sorrows. When she hears about a program called Life on Nyx, where 100 people are selected to start new lives on another planet, she sees it as her chance for a fresh start.
Without hesitation, she signs up knowing that if she goes, she can never come back. Through her journey, Cat discovers the meaning of love, loss, and the importance of finding purpose in life while escaping the mundane and unsatisfying existence on Earth.
Through these characters’ journeys, readers can find solace, inspiration, and a sense of connection, encouraging introspection and the pursuit of self-discovery in their own lives. What is your favourite novel that encourages self-reflection? Are there any we missed? Comment below and let us know.