Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Any recommendations for dark novels?

36 replies

OhMargaret · 20/10/2023 14:42

Just finished The Handmaid's tale and Platform by the French writer Michel Houellebecq - loved them both. They're both dark and a bit disturbing but seriously make you think.

Anyone got any recommendations for similar?

OP posts:
MaudGone · 20/10/2023 16:22

"Hunger" by Knut Hamsun, in the translation by Sverre Lyngstad. About a writer on the edge of starvation.

Meniscus · 20/10/2023 16:17

Michel Faber, Under the Skin? Sarah Hall’s The Carhullan Army?

Original poster
OhMargaret · 20/10/2023 16:14

@Iwillnotdancewiththedevil School for Good Mothers sounds interesting (I guess it's along the lines of Never Let Me Go)

OP posts:
BrianBettyGrable · 20/10/2023 16:13

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Original poster
OhMargaret · 20/10/2023 16:12

@JeanBodel I love this kind of existential sci-fi, thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
OhMargaret · 20/10/2023 16:10

@BrianBettyGrable another great film too (Morvern Callar)

OP posts:
Original poster
OhMargaret · 20/10/2023 16:10

@BrianBettyGrable I enoyed the Gone Girl film (more than the book actually, it reminded me of Hitchcock - the dark glamour). Will look up Sharp Objects, thank you

OP posts:
Iwillnotdancewiththedevil · 20/10/2023 15:07

If you liked Handmaid's Tale, try the School for Good Mothers.

If you want very dark, gruesome crime - Nick Stone, Mr Clarinet. It's quite a few years old now but it's stayed with me vividly!

JeanBodel · 20/10/2023 15:01

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman is pretty bleak. Be warned, you will not get any answers. Nothing is explained. It's a good book though.

BrianBettyGrable · 20/10/2023 14:48

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request

BrianBettyGrable · 20/10/2023 14:47

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request