Best Literary Fiction Books April 2025

The Refugees

In “The Refugees,” Viet Thanh Nguyen weaves a tapestry of human experience, exploring the lives of those caught between two worlds. Through eight intimate stories, we witness the struggles and triumphs of Vietnamese immigrants in America, their memories of war haunting every page. Nguyen’s prose is both lyrical and unflinching, capturing the essence of displacement with startling clarity. As I read, I found myself deeply moved by the characters’ resilience and the quiet dignity with which they face their new reality. This collection is a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the enduring power of hope.

The Committed

In this gripping sequel, our unnamed narrator navigates the gritty underbelly of 1980s Paris. Fresh from the Vietnam War, he grapples with identity, ideology, and the lingering trauma of his past. Nguyen’s prose is both lyrical and unflinching as he explores the complexities of the immigrant experience and the legacy of colonialism. Through a haze of drugs and violence, our protagonist searches for belonging in a world that seems determined to keep him on the fringes. A haunting meditation on memory, loyalty, and the price of survival.

Klara and the Sun

Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, watches customers come and go from her place in the store, hoping someone will choose her. When a young girl finally selects her, Klara’s journey into the outside world begins. As she learns about human emotions and the complexities of love, Klara grapples with profound questions about life and what it means to be human. Ishiguro’s haunting tale explores the bonds between humans and machines, leaving readers pondering the nature of consciousness and the essence of existence.

When We Were Orphans

Ishiguro’s haunting tale follows Christopher Banks, a renowned detective in 1930s London, as he unravels the mystery of his parents’ disappearance in Shanghai decades earlier. Blending memory and imagination, Banks’ quest becomes a poignant exploration of identity, loss, and the elusive nature of truth. With lyrical prose and subtle emotional depth, Ishiguro crafts a mesmerizing journey through a world on the brink of war, where the lines between past and present blur in unexpected ways.

A Pale View of Hills

In this haunting debut, Ishiguro weaves a delicate tapestry of memory and loss. Etsuko, a Japanese woman living in England, reflects on her past in post-war Nagasaki. As she grapples with her daughter’s recent suicide, she recalls a mysterious friendship from long ago. Ishiguro’s prose is spare yet evocative, drawing readers into a world where the line between reality and recollection blurs. I found myself captivated by the subtle undercurrents of guilt and regret that ripple through this poignant exploration of motherhood and cultural displacement.

The Unconsoled

Ishiguro’s dreamlike masterpiece follows a renowned pianist as he navigates a surreal European city. Disoriented and plagued by memory lapses, Ryder struggles to fulfill mysterious obligations while encountering bizarre characters from his past. The line between reality and imagination blurs in this haunting exploration of identity, expectation, and the weight of artistic genius. A mesmerizing journey that lingers long after the final page, challenging our perceptions of time and self.

An Artist of the Floating World

In this poignant tale, Ishiguro masterfully weaves the story of Masuji Ono, an aging artist grappling with his past in post-World War II Japan. As Ono reflects on his life, we’re drawn into a world of shifting loyalties and fading traditions. The novel’s gentle prose belies its powerful exploration of guilt, honor, and the price of artistic integrity. I found myself captivated by Ono’s journey, feeling both sympathy and frustration as he navigates his memories and relationships. A truly thought-provoking read.

The Marriage Plot

Madeleine Hanna, an English major at Brown University, finds herself caught between two worlds: the allure of semiotics and the comfort of Victorian literature. As she grapples with her thesis on the marriage plot in 19th-century novels, her own love life becomes entangled with two very different men. Leonard, brilliant but troubled, and Mitchell, spiritual and devoted, vie for her affections. Eugenides weaves a tale of love, ambition, and self-discovery that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt lost in the transition to adulthood. I found myself nodding along, remembering my own college days and the messy path to finding oneself.

The Virgin Suicides

In the sleepy suburbs of 1970s Detroit, five ethereal Lisbon sisters captivate their neighborhood with an air of mystery. Through the eyes of infatuated boys next door, we witness the girls’ descent into melancholy and isolation. Eugenides weaves a haunting tale of adolescent longing, family dysfunction, and the fragility of youth. With lyrical prose and dark humor, he explores the suffocating expectations placed on young women and the lasting impact of tragedy on a community’s collective memory.

Middlesex

Spanning three generations, “Middlesex” is a captivating tale of identity and self-discovery. Eugenides weaves a rich tapestry of Greek-American life, following the Stephanides family from war-torn Smyrna to Detroit’s suburbs. At its heart is Cal, born Calliope, navigating the complexities of gender and heritage. I was mesmerized by the author’s ability to blend humor with heartache, creating a story that’s both epic and intimate. It’s a book that lingers long after the last page, challenging our perceptions of normalcy and fate.