Discover books similar to "The Invisible Circus"

Donna Tartt

The Secret History

If you enjoyed the psychological intensity and atmospheric prose of 'The Invisible Circus', you'll likely appreciate Donna Tartt's 'The Secret History'. This novel follows a group of classics students at a small, elite college as they become increasingly obsessed with recreating the rituals of ancient Greek culture. The story is both a gripping thriller and a poignant exploration of the human desire for connection, identity, and transcendence.

Sylvia Plath

The Bell Jar

For readers who were drawn to the feminist themes and coming-of-age narrative in 'The Invisible Circus', 'The Bell Jar' is a must-read. This semi-autobiographical novel follows a young woman named Esther Greenwood as she navigates her way through a mental health crisis, grappling with issues of identity, ambition, and desire. Plath's vivid and poetic prose captures the complexities of the human psyche with unflinching honesty and emotional depth.

Barbara Kingsolver

The Poisonwood Bible

If you enjoyed the vivid sense of place and historical detail in 'The Invisible Circus', you'll appreciate the richly textured world of 'The Poisonwood Bible'. This novel tells the story of an evangelical Baptist family from Georgia who move to the Belgian Congo in 1959, and the dramatic consequences that unfold as they become embroiled in the country's struggle for independence. Kingsolver's lyrical prose and vivid characterizations bring to life a complex and tumultuous historical moment.

Margaret Atwood

The Blind Assassin

For readers who appreciated the intricate narrative structure and interweaving of past and present in 'The Invisible Circus', 'The Blind Assassin' offers a similarly complex and rewarding reading experience. This novel tells the story of two sisters, Iris and Laura Chase, and the secrets that are revealed after Laura's apparent suicide in the 1940s. Atwood's masterful use of multiple narratives and shifting perspectives creates a rich and layered exploration of memory, identity, and the power of storytelling.

Chad Harbach

The Art of Fielding

If you enjoyed the coming-of-age themes and character-driven narrative of 'The Invisible Circus', you'll appreciate the nuanced characterizations and richly observed world of 'The Art of Fielding'. This novel tells the story of a gifted baseball player named Henry Skrimshander and the community of coaches, teammates, and friends who surround him at a small liberal arts college in the Midwest. Harbach's vivid and engaging prose captures the joys and sorrows of youth with wit, intelligence, and emotional depth.

Meg Wolitzer

The Interestings

For readers who appreciated the exploration of identity, ambition, and creativity in 'The Invisible Circus', 'The Interestings' offers a similarly rich and nuanced exploration of these themes. This novel follows a group of friends who meet at an arts camp in the 1970s and the paths their lives take over the next four decades. Wolitzer's insightful and compassionate prose captures the complexities of human relationships and the ways in which our past experiences shape our present selves.

Chloe Benjamin

The Immortalists

If you enjoyed the exploration of fate, destiny, and the human desire for meaning in 'The Invisible Circus', you'll appreciate the philosophical and existential themes of 'The Immortalists'. This novel follows four siblings who, as children, visit a fortune teller who predicts the date of their deaths. The novel explores how this knowledge shapes their lives and the choices they make as they grow up and navigate the challenges of adulthood.

John Boyne

The Heart's Invisible Furies

For readers who appreciated the historical scope and sweeping narrative of 'The Invisible Circus', 'The Heart's Invisible Furies' offers a similarly epic and emotionally resonant reading experience. This novel follows the life of Cyril Avery, an adopted gay man growing up in Ireland, as he navigates the complexities of identity, family, and belonging in a rapidly changing world.

Sarah Perry

The Essex Serpent

If you enjoyed the gothic atmosphere and exploration of identity and belief in 'The Invisible Circus', you'll appreciate the haunting and evocative prose of 'The Essex Serpent'. This novel tells the story of a young widow named Cora Seaborne who moves to a small village in Essex in search of a mythical sea creature. The novel explores the tensions between science and religion, and the ways in which our beliefs shape our understanding of the world around us.