Glory

Vladimir Nabokov's Glory is, in part, a cautionary tale about the dangers of imagination. The completely ordinary main character becomes aware that aspects of his imaginary life have come true, which leads him on a trip down a decisive path. It's all done for the love of a woman who could (barely) care less, which adds poignancy. Reading Nabokov delivers pure pleasure for his style. (But keep a dictionary handy.)

Thanks for Coming to Hattiesburg

Todd Barry is an excellent comedian, but his account of shows in "secondary" cities is disappointing. The focus on himself and his mundane habits doesn't deliver much in the way of laughs, or even entertainment.

The Transcriptionist

This first novel falls into the paradoxical category of "overheated and half-baked." It is ingrown, strains at shows of erudition, and, in at least one instance, is plagiaristic. (An anecdote about a "voice imitator" is presented as the author's when it is in fact an idea by Thomas Bernhard.)

The End of Eddy

Edouard Louis's autobiographical novel takes the reader where he or she has likely never been before. Tourists have seen Paris, or the chateaux of the Loire Valley, or maybe Nice; newspapers and opinion columns have explored the insular Muslim communities outside the city centers; but what of the poor native French villager? This is the person who is most likely to vote for Marine Le Pen, to be disdainful of both Arabs and the French middle class.

Louis's novel focuses on a boy growing up in a northern village, in a tumbledown house, with an alcoholic, unemployed father and no apparent way out. The fact that the boy is gay only multiplies his challenges. The story is grounded, at times brutal and always unflinching, in the best tradition of, say, Balzac.

The House of Wittgenstein

Alexander Waugh's history of the famous Vienna family in the first half of the 20th century focuses on Paul, the pianist, and Ludwig, the philosopher, with other members getting (sometimes juicy) supporting roles. In addition to the personal rivalries and disputes, Waugh provides a look at life in Austria, the trauma of two world wars, the nature of identity (the Wittgensteins were classified by the Nazis as Jews even though they had been in practice Christians for a century), and classical music. Other than when it gets bogged down during an account of a financial dispute, the story rolls along swiftly with rich detail.

The Dark Flood Rises

With Margaret Drabble, the term "discursive" loses all of its negative connotations. This novel about aging and death provides a wealth of insights and detours.

Darke

Rick Gekoski has tried to create a classic misanthrope in James Darke, but the character's heart just isn't in it. He's too soft, too human to fit the bill, and paradoxically the extent of his failure is the extent to which this novel succeeds.