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9 Must Read Epistolary Novels

By August 3, 2017May 3rd, 2019Discussion and Recommendations, Literature

If you clicked this link just to see what epistolary means, it’s a novel or works written in the form of letters or correspondence. Epistolary novels have been around as long as stories themselves. The earliest recorded epistolary novel was Love Letters between a Nobleman and His Sister, published in 1684.

Since then epistolary novels have taken on many forms. Some are simply collections of published letters or correspondence, others are fiction books written in this form. Today we’re going to feature some of my favourite, across many genres.

Love Letters between a Nobleman and His Sister – Aphra Behn

I simply had to include this, simply for being the ground breaking book that created this whole genre. The novel is loosely based on the love affair between Ford, Lord Grey of Werke and his wife’s sister, Lady Henrietta Berkley, a well known London scandal of the late 1600s.

Love Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister US
Love Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister UK

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84 Charing Cross Road – Helen Hanff

If you love books and books about books and bookshops then 84 Charing Cross Road is essential reading. The book is a collection of letters, written over twenty years between the author and Frank Doel, chief buyer of Marks & Co antiquarian bookshop, located at the eponymous address.

84 Charing Cross Road US
84 Charing Cross Road UK

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I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith

Written in the style of diary entries, I Capture the Castle tells the story of a family living in gentile poverty in a decaying castle. This coming of age story tells Cassandra’s story from childhood as she grows into a young woman.

I Capture the Castle US
I Capture the Castle UK

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House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski

House of Leaves pushes this genre to an entire new level, in fact he pushes book writing to a whole new level in this edgy book. Reading it is a challenge, making sense of the codes and in-messages is both fun and frustrating, and while it isn’t the chunkiest novel you’ll read, put a while aside for reading it.

House of Leaves US
House of Leaves UK

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Flowers for Algernon – Daniel Keyes

Flowers for Algernon is a sci-fi novel that takes its own twist on the epistolary genre. Algernon is a laboratory mouse, and the book is written as a series of lab reports written by the first human subject test for a new surgery.

Flowers for Algernon US
Flowers for Algernon UK

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We Need to Talk About Kevin – Lionel Schriver

This is easy in my top ten books of all time and is a fantastic read. Written from the perspective of Eva Khatchadourian in the form of letters to her husband as she tries to come to terms with the actions of her son.

We Need to Talk About Kevin US
We Need to Talk About Kevin UK

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The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, aged 13 ¾ – Sue Townsend

The Adrian Mole book and it’s follow ones was the first book I ever read in this genre, and it’s fun, touching, and easy to read as you follow Mole’s thoughts and neuroses in the form of diary entries.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole US
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole UK

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Dracula – Bram Stoker

The popularity of Bram Stoker’s 1897 horror romance is as deathless as any vampire. Its supernatural appeal has spawned a host of film and stage adaptations, and more than a century after its initial publication, it continues to hold readers spellbound.

Dracula

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Where Rainbows End (Love, Rosie) – Cecilia Ahern

This is such a fun book, written as a series of letters, notes, and text messages between two childhood friends, into adulthood and all the difficulties that come with growing up. It’s also a great movie starring Sam Claflin!

Love, Rosie US
Where Rainbows End UK

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