Best Literary Fiction Books May 2025

The House at Riverton

Kate Morton’s “The House at Riverton” is a haunting tale of secrets and betrayal. Set in Edwardian England, it follows Grace Bradley, a former housemaid, as she unravels the mysteries of her past. Morton’s vivid prose brings the grand Riverton estate to life, with its opulent rooms and shadowy corners. I was captivated by the intricate web of relationships and the way the story seamlessly weaves between past and present. The characters felt so real, I found myself thinking about them long after I finished reading.

The Mermaid Chair

Diving into the mystical waters of Egret Island, Sue Monk Kidd’s “The Mermaid Chair” weaves a tale of love, loss, and self-discovery. As Jessie Sullivan grapples with her mother’s erratic behavior, she finds herself drawn to a Benedictine monk on the brink of taking his final vows. The island’s legends and secrets slowly unravel, mirroring Jessie’s own journey of awakening. Kidd’s prose shimmers like sunlight on waves, inviting readers to explore the depths of the human heart and the power of transformation.

The Invention of Wings

Inspired by the life of a real 19th-century abolitionist, Sue Monk Kidd’s “The Invention of Wings” weaves a captivating tale of two women bound by the chains of society. Sarah Grimké, born into Charleston’s elite, yearns for more than her prescribed role. Hetty “Handful” Grimké, Sarah’s slave, dreams of freedom. Their intertwined journeys span three decades, filled with heartache, hope, and the unquenchable thirst for autonomy. Kidd’s prose soars, bringing to life a world both beautiful and brutal, where the wings of change are slowly unfurling.

Cutting for Stone

Marion and Shiva Stone, twin brothers born of a secret union between an Indian nun and a British surgeon, come of age as Ethiopia hovers on the brink of revolution. Bound by birth but with wildly different temperaments, their childhood in Addis Ababa shapes their lives in unforeseen ways. As political turmoil engulfs their homeland, the brothers are forced to confront their shared past and diverging futures. Verghese’s vivid prose brings to life the sights, sounds, and smells of Ethiopia, weaving a tale of love, loss, and redemption that will stay with you long after the final page.

And the Mountains Echoed

Khaled Hosseini’s “And the Mountains Echoed” is a poignant tapestry of interconnected lives, spanning generations and continents. At its heart lies the heart-wrenching separation of two Afghan siblings, setting in motion a cascade of decisions and consequences. Hosseini’s lyrical prose weaves through time, exploring the bonds of family, the weight of choices, and the echoes of our actions. As I turned each page, I found myself deeply moved by the characters’ struggles and triumphs, their stories resonating long after I closed the book.

Shantaram

Shantaram is a mesmerizing journey through the underbelly of Bombay, as seen through the eyes of Lin, an escaped Australian convict. Roberts’ vivid prose brings the city to life, with its teeming slums, colorful characters, and pulsing energy. I was captivated by Lin’s transformation from fugitive to slum doctor to gangster, feeling every triumph and heartbreak along the way. This epic tale of love, redemption, and self-discovery left me pondering the nature of good and evil long after I turned the final page.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Kundera’s masterpiece weaves philosophy and passion into a haunting tapestry of love and politics. Set against the backdrop of the Prague Spring, it follows the intertwined lives of four characters grappling with the weight of their choices. Tomas, a womanizing surgeon, and Tereza, his devoted wife, navigate the complexities of fidelity and freedom. Meanwhile, Sabina, an artist, and Franz, her lover, explore the boundaries of commitment. Kundera’s prose is both playful and profound, challenging readers to ponder life’s deepest questions.

The Woman in the Window

Anna Fox lives alone, a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her days drinking wine, watching old movies, and spying on her neighbors. Then the Russells move in across the street: a picture-perfect family. But when Anna sees something she shouldn’t, her world begins to crumble. What is real? What is imagined? In this diabolically gripping thriller, no one—and nothing—is what it seems. Twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end, leaving me breathless.

American Dirt

Lydia Quixano Pérez’s comfortable life in Acapulco is shattered when her journalist husband exposes a powerful drug cartel. Forced to flee with her young son, Luca, they embark on a harrowing journey north to the US border. Cummins’ gripping narrative plunges readers into the desperate world of migrants, exploring themes of survival, motherhood, and the human cost of immigration. With vivid prose and heart-pounding tension, this novel offers a poignant glimpse into a reality often overlooked, leaving readers both moved and enlightened.

The Night Manager

In this gripping tale of espionage, Jonathan Pine, a former soldier turned night manager at a luxurious hotel, is thrust into a dangerous world of arms dealing and international intrigue. Le Carré masterfully weaves a complex web of deception, loyalty, and moral ambiguity as Pine infiltrates the inner circle of a ruthless weapons merchant. The author’s keen insight into human nature and geopolitics shines through, keeping readers on edge until the very last page. I found myself completely absorbed, unable to put it down.