best surreal novels

Jorge Luis Borges' works often fall into the surreal category. For instance, 'The Library of Babel' presents a mind - boggling concept of an infinite library containing all possible books. His writing is full of complex ideas, labyrinthine structures, and strange, dream - like scenarios that make his novels some of the best in the surreal genre.

Another great one is 'The King in Yellow' by Robert W. Chambers. It contains a series of stories that are connected by the presence of a play, also called 'The King in Yellow'. Reading the play within the stories is said to drive people insane, and the overall atmosphere of the book is one of creeping dread and otherworldly horror.

Some of the top surreal graphic novels include 'Fun Home' by Alison Bechdel. This novel uses the format of a graphic memoir to explore themes of family, sexuality, and identity in a very unique and often surreal way. 'Black Hole' by Charles Burns is also highly regarded. It has a strange and disturbing yet captivating surreal narrative set in a world affected by a mysterious disease. Additionally, 'A Contract with God' by Will Eisner is considered a classic in the surreal graphic novel genre, with its exploration of urban life and human relationships in a somewhat dream - like setting.

David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks: The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer' is also a great surreal noir work. It delves deep into the dark and strange world of Twin Peaks. The diary format gives an intimate look into Laura Palmer's tortured mind and the surreal events that surround her in the town full of secrets, odd characters, and a sense of impending doom.

Another great surreal fiction book is 'The Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka. In this story, the main character wakes up one day transformed into a giant insect. The way Kafka describes the character's reactions and the world's response to this absurd situation is very surreal. It makes you question the norms of society and the human condition.

For beginners, 'The Arrival' by Shaun Tan is a great choice. It's a wordless graphic novel that tells a beautiful and surreal story of immigration. The art is so detailed and expressive that it can easily draw in new readers to the world of surreal graphic novels.

I would also recommend 'The Shining' by Stephen King. While it's a well - known horror novel, it has strong elements of surreal horror. The haunted Overlook Hotel is filled with strange visions, from the elevator full of blood to the ghosts in the corridors. Jack Torrance's descent into madness as he is influenced by the hotel's malevolent forces is a harrowing journey.

For beginners, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' is a great start. It's easy to read and the surreal elements are presented in a rather fun and accessible way.

Another great option is 'Memento Mori' by Jonathan Nolan. It's a noir - ish story that has a very surreal way of presenting time. The main character has a condition that makes him unable to form new memories. The way the story unfolds, with him trying to solve a mystery while constantly forgetting things, is both engaging and surreal in nature.

Well, 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson can be considered a great surreal short story. The seemingly normal small - town setting suddenly takes a very dark and unexpected turn during the lottery. Also, Borges' short stories are full of surrealism. For instance, in 'The Garden of Forking Paths', he plays with concepts of time and infinite possibilities in a mind - bending way. And then there's 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings' by Gabriel García Márquez, which has elements like a man with wings showing up in a village, blurring the lines between the real and the magical.