Who doesn’t like a good drama? Who doesn’t enjoy those stories that drag us to the depths of the human condition, where each page throws us on a roller coaster full of emotions? Drama in literature is the art of everyday life raised to the nth power, where a simple “good morning” can hide a Greek tragedy or a comedy of errors.
But there they are, with their complex plots and characters so real that they could be your very own neighbor, the one who never says hello but who you know has a story worthy of a novel. We love this type of literature, and that’s why we want to recommend three of our latest readings.
1. A Modern Family, by Helga Flatland
In this book, we will explore the complexity of contemporary family relationships. A family will have to face unexpected changes when the parents announce their separation during a trip to Italy. Through the eyes of the three adult children, Liv, Ellen, and Håkon, we will see the individual and collective reactions to the news, gradually revealing how this family change affects not only their fraternal relationship but also the lives they have built separately.
This novel invites us to consider the ways in which traditional family structures are being transformed and the effects these changes have on individuals and their relationships.
2. Nobody Writes Letters Anymore, by Jang Eun-jin
With this reading, we will immerse ourselves in an introspective and moving journey. This novel explores loneliness and communication in the modern era. Written by Korean author Jang Eun-jin, the story follows Jihun, a character who yearns for human connection and decides to seek it through numbered letters that he sends to the people he meets.
Through the experiences of Jihun and his dog Wajo during their motel stays, the work addresses themes such as the need to talk, the different forms of communication and the bonds we form, some ephemeral but intense, and others that should be long-lasting but turn out to be fragile. The first-person narrative immerses the reader in an introspective and moving journey, where each letter is Jihun’s attempt to establish a dialogue and find meaning in a world where it seems that no one takes the time to write letters anymore.
3. Ana no , by Agustin Gomez Arcos
With this reading, we are transported to the post-war period, a period marked by repression and misery. Ana is not a novel by Agustín Gómez Arcos that delves into the life of Ana Paucha, an old woman who lives alone in a village in Almería. Ana, at seventy-five years old, decides to undertake a journey on foot to the prison where her son is being held to hug him and give him the bread made with olive oil that she has made with her own hands.
Through this journey, the novel explores themes such as sexual repression, political corruption, artistic censorship, and the fight for personal freedom, offering a critique of the Franco regime and its impact on Spanish society. The narrative moves between reality and surrealism, creating a world that oscillates between dream and nightmare.
4. Blackwater Saga
After reading these three books, it’s not a bad idea to take a break from all the drama. So we’re swapping drama for adventure, and for that, we’d like to recommend the famous Blackwater saga, already well known to everyone.
This book takes us on a fascinating journey through Southern Gothic horror. The six-volume series takes us into the fictional town of Perdido, Alabama, and introduces us to the unforgettable Caskey family, whose destinies are intrinsically linked to the enigmatic Elinor Dammert and her supernatural secret.
What we liked most was McDowell’s ability to create a dense atmosphere, with complex and well-developed characters that make him an exceptional narrator.
