BBC's 5 most underrated books in recent years that are worth reading

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Some literary works become bestsellers as soon as the book is published. Undoubtedly, these are very worthy books, and their authors deserve a variety of awards and recognition from grateful readers. There are also books and novels no less worthy, but remained unknown to a wide range of readers. In our today's review - the underrated masterpieces of recent times according to the BBC.

Rosewater, Tade Thompson

The British psychiatrist, better known for his science fiction works, released the novel "Rosewater" in 2016. The work is very atmospheric, and many readers call the events described in the book "an affectionate apocalypse." The novel aroused interest after publication, because no one had seen or read anything like it before: an alien landing in London followed by a domed "eruption" in Nigeria, the manifestation of strange effects in the form of the resurrection of the dead and the appearance of telepathy. No one understands what is the meaning of the aliens' actions, and the shadow factions begin to fight among themselves to gain control of the dome.

The Bourne by Jeff Vandermeer

The author is called "the king of strange fantasy", and his worldview is considered dystopian. The author himself refers to the novel "Bourne" as the concentration of everything that the writer knows how to learn from the very moment he began to write. Events unfold in a post-apocalyptic desert and unknown city in which poisonous rivers flow, strange biotechnological creatures wander and unprecedented plants bloom. And the main character of the novel, Rachel, collects everything that helps her and her beloved Vick, a seller of biotechnological drugs, to survive in the shelter. The Bourne is interesting for its grotesque images and dramatic plot.

"Washington Black", Esi Edugyan

The story takes place in the 19th century and tells the story of a young slave boy in Barbadoss who befriended Titch, a member of the plantation's family. As a result, they escape together using a flying device that looks like a glider and a balloon at the same time. The friends traveled together, traveled half the world, but eventually split up after slavery in the West Indies was outlawed and Titch felt free of obligations. The author reserves the right for the reader to decide for himself what freedom and friendship mean for someone who was a slave?

The Last Samurai by Helen DeWitt

The debut novel of the American novelist was named a hit at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2018. The story tells of a single mother raising a son whose intelligence level is much higher than average. The book raises vital questions. And the little child prodigy, meanwhile, is trying to find his father or a person who would be worthy to become his parent. At the same time, the whole plot is tied to the favorite film of the little hero of the work "Seven Samurai". It miraculously intertwines Western and Eastern cultures.

The Vorrh by Brian Catling

The dark science fiction novel by artist Brian Catling first saw the light of day in November 2012, and was reprinted in 2015. The novel is set in the city of Essenwald, which is a shining example of colonialism. He was moved brick by brick from Germany to the outskirts of the vast African forest, which stretched not only in space but also in time. Somewhere the First World War took place, and the city of Essenwalde is involved in a series of strange magical events. A variety of characters, both historical and fantastic, constantly appear here.

No book can compare with this work of Brian Catling, nothing could prepare the reader to meet the novel "The Vorrh". Critics compare it to epic fantasy, when it is not magic that flourishes, like Tolkien's, but Western civilization fades away. The result is an amazingly powerful fairy tale, reminiscent of the fantastic work of Lewis Carroll, only written for adults.

Many writers dream of a book that will not only make the author famous, but will also bring him very solid royalties. Some people do it. Their books are published in millions of copies, their works are filmed, souvenirs with heroes are produced and, accordingly, all this brings literary men a very decent income. We offer you to remember the books, the authors of which became millionaires thanks to their creativity.