Books like

Books like The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

12 books with a reading profile close to The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. Inward-looking; a moderate read.

1

The Interestings

by Meg Wolitzer

Also inward-looking · narrative, classic literature

The story begins in 1974 at a summer arts camp where six teenagers—Jules, Ash, Goodman, Ethan, Jonah, and Cathy—form a tight-knit circle based on their shared creative ambitions.
2

Hag-Seed

by Margaret Atwood

narrative, classic literature

Felix Phillips is a theater director ousted from his festival job by a treacherous associate.
3

Burial Rites

by Hannah Kent

Also inward-looking · narrative, classic literature

Based on the true story of Agnes Magnúsdóttir, this novel follows the final months of the last woman executed in Iceland.
4

Breakfast at Tiffany's

by Truman Capote

Also inward-looking · narrative, classic literature

Set in wartime Manhattan, the narrative follows an aspiring writer who becomes fascinated by his upstairs neighbor, Holly Golightly.
5

The Accidental Tourist

by Anne Tyler

Also inward-looking · narrative, classic literature

Macon Leary is a travel writer who hates traveling.
6

Silver Sparrow

by Tayari Jones

Also inward-looking · narrative, classic literature

Dana Yarboro knows her father, James Witherspoon, has another family.
7

The Book of Longings

by Sue Monk Kidd

narrative, classic literature

Ana is the daughter of a wealthy advisor to Herod Antipas, living in a patriarchal society that forbids women from reading and writing.
8

A Thousand Ships

by Natalie Haynes

narrative, classic literature

Natalie Haynes reimagines the Trojan War through a choral narrative that centers the women, goddesses, and victims usually relegated to the margins of epic poetry.
9

The Palace of Illusions

by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

narrative, classic literature

This retelling of the Mahabharata is narrated by Panchaali, also called Draupadi, who emerges from a sacrificial fire to marry the five Pandava brothers.
10

Galatea

by Madeline Miller

Also inward-looking · narrative, classic literature

In this short story, a statue carved from ivory is granted life by a goddess, becoming the wife of her creator, Pygmalion.
11

The Sweetness of Water

by Nathan Harris

narrative, classic literature

Set in late-Reconstruction Georgia, the narrative follows Prentiss and Landry, two brothers recently freed from slavery who seek employment on George Walker’s farm.
12

Empire Falls

by Richard Russo

narrative, classic literature

Miles Roby manages the Empire Grill, a greasy spoon in a decaying Maine logging town owned by the wealthy Whiting family.

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