Literature has always served as a mirror to society’s deepest anxieties, reflecting cultural fears through metaphor and allegory. Just as Gothic fiction emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries as a response to industrialisation, channelling unease about scientific progress and urbanisation, today’s ecofiction grapples with the existential threats of climate change, mass extinction, and ecological collapse. These genres do more than tell stories; they crystallise our collective dread, forcing us to confront what haunts them most.

As a reader who loves both gothic and ecofiction, here are some of the genre’s defining novels, both classic and contemporary, what they have in common, and how the genre taps into our collective anxiety.

Why is ecofiction becoming more popular?

Ecofiction’s power lies in its ability to make the abstract tangible. Climate change is often discussed in terms of statistics, rising CO2 levels, shrinking ice caps, and increasing global temperatures, but these numbers can feel distant and impersonal. Or terrifying headlines that make us recoil and spend days in an existential loop. Literature bridges that gap for us by humanising ecological crises, enveloping them in narrative and metaphor that evoke empathy, dread, and, ideally, hope.

A good ecofiction novel can make extinction feel visceral. In Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior, the sudden appearance of monarch butterflies in Appalachia due to disrupted migration patterns becomes a haunting metaphor for climate instability. The protagonist, Dellarobia, is not a scientist, but her bewilderment and grief mirror the reader’s own as she witnesses an ecological aberration that is both beautiful and tragic.

This is ecofiction’s strength; it transforms global issues into intimate, emotional experiences. 

Much like the gothic genre took the Romantic era’s preoccupation with nature and tapped into its sublime wild unknowableness, pairing a romanticisation of the past with the anxiety of the current moment. Nature in ecofiction becomes an unstoppable, unknowable force, often a character in its own right. The past, though often romanticised, doesn’t hold off on the shortcomings of people and society.

Human ingenuity rarely triumphs over adversity in eco-fiction. Instead, it frequently presents nature as an indifferent or retaliatory force, exposing the hubris of human dominance. In doing so, it dismantles the illusion that we are separate from or superior to the ecosystems we inhabit. However by remembering that humans and our environment are one and the same also reminds us of our responsibility to protect the world around us.

The four defining narratives of ecofiction

Ecological anxiety tends to be explored in one of four ways in ecofiction. As this is a rapidly growing genre, it’s interesting to see how new stories build on these narratives and overlap with other genres like sci-fi and, more recently, solarpunk fiction. These are some of the common tropes and structures you’ll encounter in ecofiction.

1) The collapse narrative

Ecofiction, more often than not, depicts societal or environmental collapse, whether that’s sudden or gradual. Exploring how these communities adapt (or fail to adapt) to ecological disaster is key to the narrative.

From Paolo Bacigalupi’s drought-ravaged Southwest in The Water Knife to the submerged civilizations of Kirsty Logan’s The Gracekeepers, or the King Lear-inspired soggy London of Julia Armfield’s Private Rites, these stories test societal resilience post-collapse.

Matt Bell’s Appleseed uniquely layers three collapses: historical, imminent, and far-future, suggesting environmental destruction and human folly follow cyclical patterns. These narratives force readers to confront the fragility and ingenuity of civilization when pushed to its ecological limits.

2) The revenge of nature

Another common trope finds nature fighting back against human exploitation. In The Overstory by Richard Powers, trees are not passive resources but silent witnesses to human folly, their interconnectedness a rebuke to individualism—the novel suggests that nature’s resilience may outlast humanity’s destructive tendencies.

Jeff VanderMeer’s alien ecosystem in Annihilation, nature retaliates against exploitation, and the mythical rain-controlling bird in Robbie Arnott’s The Rain Heron embodies this trope most poetically, environmental balance restored through supernatural intervention.

3) The seer and the sceptic

Ecofiction often features characters who serve as ecological prophets, individuals who recognise environmental devastation before others do, and their struggle to be heard. In Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future dramatizes climate policy battles, while Silent Spring, though nonfiction, reads like ecofiction in its portrayal of Rachel Carson’s lonely crusade against pesticides.

In Charlotte McCoaghy’s Wild Dark Shore, a family struggles to preserve an Antarctic Seed Bank that faces destruction from rising sea levels, despite everyone else abandoning the island. This taps in so viscerally to the current moment where we feel powerless in the face of environmental and societal destruction.

4) The return to the wild

Some ecofictions explore rewilding, both literal and philosophical, as a response to ecological alienation. Barbara Kingsolver’s Prodigal Summer to Marian Engel’s Bear, and narratives explore rewilding as an antidote to ecological alienation. The Gracekeepers and Private Rites extend this trope to cultural adaptation, its floating words developing new rituals for a flooded landscape, showing us fantasy alternatives to life beyond collapse.

Global Perspectives in Ecofiction: Beyond Anglo-American Narratives

While much of the popular contemporary ecofiction emerges from Western literary traditions, global perspectives offer rich, nuanced explorations of environmental challenges. Indigenous writers, in particular, bring profound ecological wisdom that challenges Western linear narratives of environmental destruction.

Latin American writers like Eduardo Galeano and Ailton Krenak weave environmental storytelling with anti-colonial narratives, and Brazilian author Krenak’s work, for instance, connects Indigenous worldviews with environmental resistance, presenting nature not as a resource to be managed, but as a living entity with intrinsic rights. Brazilian and Amazonian literature frequently challenges the extractive capitalism that threatens both ecological systems and Indigenous communities.

Nnedi Okorafor’s African futurist works, like Lagoon, reimagine ecological transformation through distinctly African perspectives, challenging Western sci-fi tropes and presenting environmental change as a potential site of regeneration rather than pure catastrophe.

Japanese author Yōko Ogawa’s The Memory Police subtly explores environmental loss through metaphorical disappearance, while Chinese writer Cixin Liu’s The Three-Body Problem uses ecological destruction as a backdrop for complex philosophical inquiries about humanity’s place in the universe.

Despite its current popularity, ecofiction isn’t new

Ecofiction isn’t a new phenomenon. The gothic/sci-fi queen Mary Shelley’s The Last Man (1826), often considered one of the first apocalyptic novels, imagines a world decimated by plague, reflecting early anxieties about human vulnerability. John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is an ecological novel in its depiction of Dust Bowl displacement, showing how environmental degradation and human suffering are intertwined.

In the latter half of the 20th century, works like Dune by Frank Herbert (1965) use science fiction to explore desertification and resource scarcity, while Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Word for World Is Forest (1972) critiques colonialism and deforestation through an alien planet’s struggle against human invaders.

The enduring impact of gothic and ecofiction

Ecofiction does not always provide answers, but it asks the right questions: What have we lost? What can still be saved? And what does it mean to live ethically in a wounded world? These stories do more than warn; they reorient our imaginations toward alternative futures.

As rising ecological challenges reshape our world, ecofiction will likely continue to evolve. Apocalyptic warnings will likely become explorations of human-environment relationships, hopefully amplifying diverse global perspectives and offering imaginative pathways for understanding our collective ecological future.

Thank you for reading, please share this article if you found it interesting and check out our other bookish articles.

My Saturn Return kicked my ass.

Like many twenty-eight-year-olds before me, I found myself lost. I forgot who I was; I forgot what I liked; I lost interest in nearly all of my previous hobbies and I lost the energy to pursue anything new. I clawed my way out of the house on weekends with a promise of a latte, a trip to the bookstore, a crisp, new paperback. It wasn’t much–but it didn’t need to be.

I’m grateful to these stores for being just enough to get me out of the house on Sunday mornings. I’m grateful for the hours spent wandering the shelves, thinking about literally anything other than my own twenty-eight-year-old problems.

And, of course, I’m grateful for the books.

So, if you’re in the city, here are my must-visit bookstores in LA

1)Octavia’s Bookshelf

The afternoon I visited Octavia’s Bookshelf, the store bustled with life: a vibrant stream of customers filled the space, happily browsing its shelves. In the few months since it opened its doors, it has become a pillar of community in Pasadena. This Black-owned business is a fabulous entry to city’s indie scene: with a focus on diverse authors, it curates a perfect blend of well-known titles and hidden gems alike.

Named after the renowned author Octavia Butler, Octavia’s Bookshelf is the first Black-owned bookstore in Pasadena–which also happens to be Butler’s own hometown. Owner Nikki High spent a decade imagining such a business before leaving her corporate job to follow her dream. 

Tip: For the Octavia Butler buffs, the nearby Huntington Library has her journals, which can be viewed by the public. While you’re there, be sure to take a stroll through the expansive gardens. Bring some sunscreen and your camera! 

2)North Figueroa Bookshop

Those looking for books about Los Angeles will find everything they’re looking for and more at North Figueroa Bookshop. This trendy new shop is situated in Highland Park, a comfortable walk to many of our favorite cafes and vintage shops. 

Funded by publishers, this independent bookstore has a deep tie to local presses. LA-based Unnamed Press and Rare Bird Lit collaborated to build this project and in the process have created a space that is uniquely born from this city. In addition to its thorough section of California Lit, the store also has a well-curated range of fiction, non fiction and children’s titles. Unlike other bookstores, it spotlights publishers by featuring its shelves around individual presses. 

Tip: For the LA tattoo lovers among us, check out Martlet Tattoo down the road—we’re both obsessed with artist Amelia Rose! For some of the best sandwiches in the city, head to nearby Maciel’s Plant Based Butcher, and get coffee at Kumquat!

Read More: 13 Books Set in Los Angeles

3)Skylight Books

Located in the heart of Los Feliz, Skylight is a staple of the neighborhood–a bright and welcoming space with the gravity of a small star. I find it almost impossible to be anywhere in a three-mile radius and not stop by for a quick visit. 

With an event almost every night, it is a literary hub of the city.  A few doors down is the Arts Annex, home to bursting shelves of graphic novels, scripts, coffee table books, and local zines.

We love Skylight for its strong sense of community, its well-curated literary fiction, and the beautiful tree in the center of the shop.

Tip: Skip the meters and park on the neighborhood side streets to the east of Vermont! Double check for street sweeping.

If you’re looking for a longer afternoon out, I recommend parking between Vermont and Hillhurst and visiting businesses on both streets. My favorites are Maru Coffee, The Alcove, Green Leaves Vegan, and Squaresville Vintage.

Read More: Five Day Los Angeles Itinerary

4)Stories Books and Cafe

This bookstore-slash-coffee shop has an undeniably cool air. With trendy baristas, a wide selection of new-and-used titles, and hilarious Instagram presence, this store epitomizes the hipster chic of Echo Park. 

I love spending long afternoons writing here. The steady stream of fashionable clientele and pampered dogs makes for great people watching. When I need a break, I browse through their stuffed shelves, enjoying the combination of unique titles and bestsellers alike. 

In addition to book events, Stories also host a weekly free comedy show, Good Heroin, every Saturday. 

Tip: Come on a Friday afternoon and stop by the Echo Park Farmer’s Market down the block! Open from 3 to 7:30 pm, it is a great spot to grab local produce and prepared foods in the city.

I highly recommend grabbing a plate of vegan pupusas from Delmy’s Pupusas and the utterly addicting tempah offered by Dave’s Korean. 

5)Vroman’s

While you’re in Pasadena, take a drive down Colorado Blvd to visit the iconic Vroman’s Bookstore. This bookstore really has it all: wide selection, well-chosen staff picks, unique gifts, and more. As the largest and oldest independent bookstore in California, it has a deep rooted history in Pasadena. While it has a broad selection in every genre, I particularly love this shop for its broad range of Science Fiction and Fantasy and Young Adult titles. They also host regular author events from local and international writers.

Vroman’s was my favorite depression visit. The drive to old town Pasadena was just far enough to offer a sense of reprieve: as the mountains grew clearer and crisper, my existential dread eased just a little. Maybe it was the fresh air. Or maybe it was just the relief of knowing I probably would not run into anyone I knew. But I treasured those weekend trips to the bookstore and its now-permanently closed neighbor, Zona Rosa Coffee (RIP). 

Tip: If it’s nice out, take your new book to one of the nearby parks. My favorite is Pasadena Central Park. It’s either an enjoyable twenty minute walk or an easy drive.

Nearby are multiple great restaurants and cafes. My favorites are Neighborhood and Friends which offer charcuterie boards (including plant-based!), sandwiches, and great coffee, and HomeBrewed Bar (be careful of the mini boba: it’s delicious but so, so easy to choke on).

Read More: 21 Hotels in Los Angeles Worth Staying At

6)Chevalier’s

Small but mighty, Chevalier’s is an anchor in the LA literary scene. As the city’s oldest indie bookshop, it offers a robust selection in a compact space. You can feel the booksellers’ passion on these shelves: every genre is lovingly curated with bestsellers and hidden gems alike. I have been hand sold multiple titles by the employees here and always look forward to their recommendations. They also have an exciting weekly events lineup from open mic and trivia nights, to zine fests, and author readings. Make sure to see what’s on!

This shop was a common stop for me in high school. A chubby fifteen-year-old, I felt so adult, strolling up Larchmont with a latte from Peet’s and browsing the shelves. Over fifteen years later, not much has changed. 

Tip: I neither drink wine nor eat cheese, but I am a religious about Larchmont Wine and Cheese down the street. Get there in the afternoon before they run out of bread.

Get a number six on baguette. Do NOT fuck around with the ciabatta. You’re welcome.

Read More: 11 Best Food Tours in Los Angeles

7)Book Soup

Bookseller to the Great and Infamous, boasts Book Soup’s sign, proudly hanging over the Sunset Strip. Inside, the shelves tower high: while small, the store is fully stocked, easily transporting the average shopper into a cozy labyrinth of pages. 

Book Soup offers a range of genres, but caters most strongly to readers of literary fiction. It also has a very robust selection of memoir, nonfiction, and cookbooks. I enjoy their staff selections and well-curated table displays. 

Tip: I love taking advantage of the hills in the area and combining a visit to this shop with an urban hike.

Park in West Hollywood south of Santa Monica Blvd and enjoy the butt-kicking grade of La Cienega Blvd. Walk north until you hit Sunset, then head west, enjoying the hilarious people watching on the Sunset Strip.

If you have bad knees like me, take the easier way back: Holloway Drive offers a gentler slope and joins with Santa Monica Blvd to leave you right where you parked in WeHo.  

8) The Last Bookstore

What list of LA independent bookstores would be complete without The Last Bookstore? Inarguably the most famous of the LA indies, this shop brags of a huge selection of new and used titles as well as its most impressive draw: a beautiful (and highly Instagrammable) space. 

Make sure to head upstairs to get the full experience. There, you’ll find charming nooks and crannies–as well as the famous book tunnel, where any book lover could take a new profile picture. 

While it has every new title you could want, I highly recommend perusing their used books. As a fantasy fan, I love getting lost in their shelves and finding out-of-print gems from decades ago.  They now have two locations to choose from, the original in DTLA and a second in Studio City.

Tip: Take public transportation if you can. Parking downtown is famously difficult, but with multiple metro lines converging in the heart of the city, you just might have the option of an easy train journey. Also, if you’re hungry after all that browsing, go to Yuko’s kitchen around the corner. 

9) The Illiad

If you like secondhand books, The Illiad is a must-visit. This is an eclectic shop where you probably won’t find what you want, but you will leave with something cool and find some sweet cats! They have a huge fiction and drama section, plus an extensive non-fiction section sorted by genre and topic.

This one takes a long time to explore, so settle in and get lost. If you want a short but satisfying loop hike nearby, look up Fryman Canyon!

Thankfully, I’m well out of my Saturn Returns now. Books have gone back to being a well-loved passion, rather than a lifeline keeping me afloat–but still, I find myself stopping by these stores every week or so.

As the literary scene in LA grows, the indie bookstores are more and more essential, quiet centers of community in a loud city.  This is just a small selection of the wonderful bookshop in Los Angeles so make sure to keep exploring!

Thank you for reading about the best Los Angeles bookstores! If you liked this article, please share it with a friend!

Los Angeles is one of the most visited cities in the United States, and for great reason. It’s home to diverse art and culture, beautiful scenery, excellent weather, and some of the coolest hotels. In this article, we’ll share the most unique hotels in LA for your getaway or staycation.

There’s something for everyone, from trendy to minimalist and laid-back to luxurious hotels. We’ve compiled a list of the best boutique hotels across the city, including Venice Beach, Downtown LA, Santa Monica, and Hollywood.

Keep reading for the best hotels in Los Angeles and what each one has to offer, from a local’s perspective.

Read More: Five Days in LA: A Complete Travel Guide

Best Boutique Hotels in Venice Beach

While visiting the iconic Venice Beach, you can have an authentic California experience at one of LA’s best beachfront hotels.

1) Hotel ERWIN

Hotel ERWIN is a colorful and fun hotel with comfortable beachfront rooms. It also features Venice’s only rooftop bar that offers picture-perfect sunset views. For decades, Hotel ERWIN has been a go-to boutique hotel for locals, vacationers, and day trippers.

2) The Venice Beach House

Since 1911, Los Angeles travelers, including celebrities, have been enjoying a unique stay at The Venice Beach House. The preserved beachfront hotel has unique suites and sprawling gardens to offer a tranquil destination for guests. It’s the perfect accommodation for a peaceful getaway, and you can also hold events in various idyllic spaces at The Venice Beach House.

Fun fact: The Venice Beach House is a historical Craftsman landmark and has a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Read More: How to Spend 24 Hours in Venice Beach

Best Boutique Hotels in Downtown LA

Whether you’re looking for a luxurious or unique cozy hotel, there are plenty of incredible options in Downtown LA.

3) The Westin Bonaventure Hotel

Enjoy the best of Downtown Los Angeles at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel. It’s an elegant and cool hotel in the heart of LA, where you can find a fitness studio, outdoor pool, and on-site restaurants. Many travelers most appreciate Bonaventure’s rooms that offer stunning city views. 

4) The Hoxton

If you’re looking for lively boutique hotels in downtown Los Angeles, The Hoxton is one of the best. People from all over, including LA locals, enjoy this centrally located hotel with tranquil rooms, two restaurants, and a rooftop pool. The Hoxton also has space for private dining, parties, and events.

5) The Wayfarer

As one of downtown LA’s newest hotels, The Wayfarer offers a trendy setting within walking distance of some of the best Los Angeles attractions. The Wayfarer is also known for its rooftop space to enjoy delicious cocktails and picturesque views, an eclectic underground bar with live shows, and a cafe in a lobby setting ideal for mingling.

6) Miyako Hotel

For a unique stay in downtown Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo district, check out Miyako Hotel. This modern, Japanese-inspired hotel offers a fun and comfortable getaway. It’s also within walking distance of local restaurants, markets, and nightlife.

Read More: Best Books Set in Los Angeles

Best Boutique Hotels in West Hollywood

The world-famous West Hollywood is a must-visit at least once. And here are a couple of the best boutique hotels in the area. 

7) Andaz West Hollywood

Sleep where legendary rockers stayed in the mid-60s. Andaz West Hollywood is an iconic hotel where you can enjoy the highest rooftop pool in LA, which offers stunning views, private cabanas, and a full-service bar. The location is ideal for exploring the best neighborhoods, including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica.

Read More: A Native Angeleno’s Guide to the Best 9 Bookstores in LA

8) Chateau Marmont

Chateau Marmont is one of the coolest hotels in Los Angeles. It’s modeled after a castle and has an incredible heated outdoor pool surrounded by gardens. Guests can book luxury bungalows or suites that feel like Old Hollywood. Chateau Marmont also has an on-site restaurant and upscale cocktail bar.

Best Boutique Hotels in Santa Monica

Santa Monica State Beach and Pier are some of the most fun places to hang out in Los Angeles. These nearby hotels both offer a unique experience.

9) Shutters on the Beach

One of the best boutique hotels in LA with ocean views is Shutters on the Beach. It’s conveniently situated on Santa Monica State Beach and a short walk to the iconic pier. Shutters on the Beach is an elegant hotel with a nice restaurant, a casual beachfront cafe and bar, a spa, and a seasonal outdoor pool.

10) Palihouse Santa Monica

Another boutique hotel we love is Palihouse, also located a short walk from Santa Monica’s beach and pier. It’s an eclectic, Mediterranean Revival-style hotel with a lobby cafe and bike rentals. Guests can choose from various beautifully decorated rooms.

Best Boutique Hotels in Hollywood

Whether you’re looking for a laid-back and fun hotel or a more upscale experience, you can find it in Hollywood.

11) Banana Bungalow Hostel

For affordable and fun accommodation in Hollywood, Banana Bungalow is ideal. There are funky retro hotel and hostel rooms to choose from, and you’re close to popular attractions. Banana Bungalow hosts various events and activities, perfect for travelers excited to meet new people.

12) Petit Ermitage

Petit Ermitage is known as one of the most unique hotels in LA. The rooms each have their own personality, and the hotel’s rooftop has a heated saltwater pool, bohemian bar, and cabana dining. Petit Ermitage also has movie nights and other fun events on the rooftop. This is a wonderful place for a special getaway or staycation.

13) The Hollywood Roosevelt

The Hollywood Roosevelt is an iconic luxury hotel on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Guests love its location in the heart of LA, upscale vibe, and history. Many famous people have stayed at this 1920s hotel, including Marilyn Monroe. At The Hollywood Roosevelt, you can appreciate a delicious restaurant, fancy bars, an outdoor pool, and a game room with bowling.

14) Magic Castle Hotel

Hollywood apartments turned into spacious and bright hotel rooms, the Magic Castle Hotel offers many amenities, including dining areas, an outdoor pool, and laundry service. It’s the ideal accommodation for a comfortable stay in Disney, and it’s just a 7-minute drive from Universal Studios.

Read More: 11 Best Food Tours in LA

Best Boutique Hotel in Koreatown (KTown)

One of the coolest hotels in Los Angeles happens to be in the exciting, and very walkable, Koreatown neighborhood. 

15) The LINE LA

The LINE LA is a fan-favorite boutique hotel in the center of Koreatown, making it easy to explore restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops. This hip hotel is in a mid-century building and has bike rentals, an outdoor pool, and a lively restaurant and bar.

Best Boutique Hotels in Mid City LA

Mid City is one of Los Angeles’ quietest areas, and its hotels offer relaxation while being close to many things to see and do.

16) Short Stories

Enjoy a tranquil retreat at one of the newest boutique hotels in LA. Short Stories is the perfect location for a tranquil retreat, only steps away from dining, shopping, and museums. The rooms feature custom, impressive decor. Short Stories also has a pool, a restaurant, and scheduled wellness activities.

17) Palihotel Melrose Avenue

On the edge of Mid City is Palihotel, an intimate and fun hotel in the heart of the vibrant Melrose Shopping District. Palihotel features cozy guest rooms, a lounge, a cafe, and an outdoor courtyard space.

Best Boutique Hotel in Culver City

Culver City is ideal if you hope to stay close to great dining, the arts, and nature.

18) The Culver Hotel

Classic meets contemporary at The Culver Hotel. Guests love the artsy design, European atmosphere, and close proximity to Downtown Culver City. The Culver Hotel has historic rooms, a cafe with seasonal dining, classic cocktails, and live music.

Best Boutique Hotels in East LA

You can also head to East LA for nature and a couple of the most unique hotels in LA.

19) Cara Hotel

The Cara Hotel and its restaurant offer one of the most charming and warm atmospheres in Los Angeles. Guests love the breezy and comfortable atmosphere and enjoy exploring nearby locations, including Griffith Park and Silverlake.

20) Silver Lake Pool & Inn

If you’re looking for a hip hotel and urban oasis in East LA, Silver Lake Pool & Inn is an excellent option. It’s surrounded by trendy bars and coffee shops. It’s also just a few miles from the Griffith Observatory and Echo Park Lake. The hotel also features an Italian restaurant and bar and an outdoor pool.

Best Boutique Hotels in Disney

If you’re planning a Disneyland experience in Los Angeles and want to stay at a memorable accommodation, we recommend these unique hotels.

21) Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

If you’re looking for an elegant stay close to Disney, consider Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. This hotel has a luxurious restaurant and bar with a fireside lounge, a relaxed cafe, various pools, and a spa. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa’s lobby also offers direct access to the Disney California Adventure Park and the Downtown Disney District.

Los Angeles is filled with cool hotels close to many fun and memorable things to see and do. We hope you found the perfect hotel for your staycation or LA getaway. If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing.

Stories to Make Franz Kafka Proud

With this in mind, a kafkaesque story is often one which examines and criticises normativity, what is typically expected of us both professionally and socially, and the dynamics of behaviour in our day-to-day lives. They are stories that satirise work, etiquette, and even family dynamics. This is what you’ll find here, in these novels.

The following novels all have something of the kafkaesque to them. Some might be comedies, others horror. Some are straightforward; others are surreal and feverish in their presentation. There is a real diversity here, but all of these books wear their kafkaesque themes proudly and in novel, original ways.

The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Unconsoled is the longest novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, and calling the book a “fever dream” feels almost unavoidable. The Unconsoled is a masterful work of kafkaesque surrealism which follows concert pianist Ryder, who has just arrived in an unnamed city to play a concert, and from the very moment he enters his hotel, the world becomes an unknowable place.

In the novel’s first chapter, Ryder meets Gustav, a bellhop who begins a pages-long monologue about the nature of his work. From here, Ryder heads to a cinema to watch a late-night viewing of 2001: A Space Odyssey while two men play chess. The next day, he meets with a woman who talks to Ryder about her child, and Ryder steadily realises this is his wife and the child is also his own. And so the rabbit hole continues to deepen.

The Unconsoled is a work of impossible strangeness that owes so much to Franz Kafka in its dreamlike quality, its circular and disjointed narrative, and the ways in which its protagonist is lost and disorientated at every turn, unable to obtain simple answers to simple questions.

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

Translated from the Korean by Deborah Smith

One of the most successful and beloved Korean novels in translation, Han Kang’s The Vegetarian is separated into three parts and begins with Yeong-hye, a woman whose life is upturned in frightening and unimaginable ways after she makes the decision to stop eating meat. Each story follows a member of her family who is shocked by her decision and begins to treat her differently.

Our first narrator, Yeong-hye’s husband, explains that he married her because she was as ordinary as he is, and that she would guarantee a simple, peaceful, well-behaved life. But when she throws away all the meat in their fridge and goes vegetarian, he is disturbed and shocked. He attempts to persuade her to change back, and even invites her father around, who attempts to physically force her to eat meat.

The Vegetarian explores the concept of conformity, and what happens when someone—especially a woman—makes even a small, autonomous decision to change something in a novel and unpopular way. For many, this novel is shocking and disturbing, and it’s one that Kafka would surely have adored.

Authority by Jeff Vandermeer

Authority, the second book in sci-fi author Jeff Vandermeer’s Southern Reach series, is set in the Southern Reach itself—a strange agency which exists to monitor a mysterious stretch of coastline called Area X, which exists inside a gradually expanding bubble. Area X affects any human who enters in dangerous and unpredictable ways (as were explored in the first novel, Annihilation). And in this novel, our protagonist is desperately trying to understand Area X.

That protagonist is John Rodriguez, the Southern Reach’s new director. He prefers, ironically, to go by the name Control, and was given this role by his mother. Periodically, Control reports his findings to someone called The Voice over the phone, and he spends much of his time interviewing people who have returned from expeditions to Area X, as well as searching through reports, findings, logs, photos, and videos.

At times, Authority feels like a dizzyingly circular novel, as Control makes little progress; he is waylaid, distracted, manipulated, and confused at every turn. He wants to do his job but the very agency itself seems to be guiding his hand or stopping him entirely. Control is trapped in an unclear role in a kafkaesque system with no clear direction, and all the while he has a mysterious, possibly alien, and definitely dangerous phenomenon to solve.

City of Ash and Red by Hye-young Pyun

Translated from the Korean by Sora Kim-Russell

This phenomenal Korean novel is perhaps the truest successor to Kafka’s works you’ll ever read. The book’s protagonist is a nameless rat catcher who has been sent by his company to work in a new city. That city has been devastated by sickness and its streets are overflowing with garbage.

Upon arriving, our protagonist is unable to find his prime company contact, and nobody is able to help. Shortly after, his luggage is lost, he is told to quarantine, and he soon gets a call from his friend who breaks the news to him that this friend has married his ex-wife. Not long after, the ex-wife is found dead in our protagonist’s apartment, and he is natural the murder’s prime suspect.

As is the case in Kafka’s The Trial and Ishiguro’s The Unconsoled, Pyun’s protagonist wishes to find answers, to straighten up his understanding, and to explain himself. But at every turn, nobody will listen to him. In fact, they display more than just ignorance; they are indifferent to his problems. This is a Korean kafkaesque masterpiece.

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke

Several People Are Typing is a brilliantly strange and inventive work of sci-fi horror comedy with its roots deep in the kafkaesque philosophy. The entire book is presented as a series of conversations via Slack. Our protagonist, Gerald, works at a company which uses Slack for its work-related chats, and Gerald begins one day by informing his team that he is trapped inside Slack. His consciousness has somehow been uploaded into the app itself.

Naturally, nobody believes Gerald. He gets his colleagues’ attention repeatedly, in various work and casual Slack channels, asks them for help, and they laugh it off as a prank. Eventually, Gerald asks a colleague who lives close-by to go and see for himself—to go and check on Gerald’s body. And all the while, we get to know the various people of Gerald’s office as they express themselves through Slack.

In kafkaesque fashion, Gerald is expected to continue his work regardless. And he is even praised for a rise in productivity because he can do nothing but work, since he is trapped in his company’s Slack account. He sends messages and files reports for lack of anything else to do. Nobody takes his situation seriously but they all praise his increase in productivity.

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

Translated from the Japanese by Ginny Tapley Takemori

Sayaka Murata is one of the finest Japanese authors writing today, and Convenience Store Woman put her on the map. This novel follows an autistic-coded protagonist who has worked at the same convenience store for almost twenty years, never asking for anything else out of life. But that doesn’t sit right with her colleagues or her family, who often ask her when she will get a career and a husband and a mortgage—all the things we are expected to do.

But Keiko is content. The world is a strange and confusing place; she has never been able to fully understand how people behave or the unwritten rules of society that they dutifully follow. She doesn’t judge others and she is exhausted by their judgement of her. The modern world expects certain performances from us (college, career, marriage, family etc) and Keiko has found a way to survive outside of all that.

And for this, Keiko is endlessly worried over and looked at with suspicion. When in reality, as we learn from select flashbacks, she has always struggled to navigate everyday life. Convenience Store Woman echoes Kafka’s criticism of bureaucratic rule-following and the nonsense laws of life, bringing them into the twenty-first century Japanese society.

Managing and Other Lies by Willow Heath

Managing and Other Lies is a collection of queer horror stories, and its titular tale Managing is a deeply kafkaesque gothic tale set in a labyrinthine house at the edge of an English village. Every day, our nameless protagonist—who has been hired to clean and tidy this strange house—writes about their progress in a journal. As the days go on, they soon learn that they aren’t as alone as they first thought.

A man has barged his way into the house; he refuses to explain his presence and insists that our protagonist is doing a terrible job tending to the garden. Soon after, our protagonist meets a woman who lives in a room upstairs. She seduces our protagonist and offers them the happiness they seek in exchange for various small sacrifices. These sacrifices are bits and pieces of their own body; beginning with a skin tag, then a fingernail, and on it goes.

Our nameless protagonist is battling with dysphoria, berated by the misogynistic and bullish man, and encouraged to make painful sacrifices by a woman who seduces and gaslights them. In order to be happy with who they are, they are forced to fight, perform, and put themself through pain and discomfort, all because the men and women of society expect them to. Being trans is wonderful; it is only the expectations of society that makes it hard.

Buy a copy of Managing and Other Lies here!

The Factory by Hiroko Oyamada

Translated from the Japanese by David Boyd

In one of the most on-the-nose kafkaesque novels ever written, a factory spreads itself impossibly large, and we follow three protagonists who work there. The factory makes all kinds of consumable products, and also behaves like a town with places to live, eat, relax, and play.

In the world of The Factory, there is no separation of work and life; they are now one and the same. People live, work, and die at and for the factory. Nobody can recognise where work ends and every other aspect of life begins. All anyone knows is the factory.

In this novel, Japanese author Hiroko Oyamada takes Kafka’s themes and blows them up impossibly large, painting them on a billboard for every reader to see.

The Ruined Map by Kobo Abe

Translated from the Japanese by E. Dale Saunders

Kobo Abe could accurately be called the Kafka of Japan. Many Japanese authors explore the kafkaesque in their writing, but none with such dedication and surrealism as Kobo Abe. And while many of his books are worthwhile reads, The Ruined Map is the perfect introduction to his works, due to its more clear and direct narrative.

The Ruined Map begins with a detective who has been hired by a woman to find her missing husband. What at first seems like a simple detective story gradually gives way to something more surreal and dreamlike, in a very similar vein to David Lynch’s Twin Peaks. The detectives obsession over minor details that lead nowhere, and the circular, empty answers given by his interviewees (the wife included), scream Kafka.

This is a book that asks us if we can ever truly know one another. The titular ruined map is both the city of Tokyo and the mental map we each have, populated by the people we meet and come to know. This is a novel fantastically reminiscent of Kafka’s stories.

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

In Julia Armfield’s queer gothic horror, we follow a couple whose lives have been irreversibly changed by a mission to the bottom of the sea that went horribly wrong. Leah’s trip should have been a short one, but something went wrong and she was stuck down there for a long time. As we follow her story, we learn what she encountered and how she was changed by it.

But the bulk of the narrative is her wife Miri’s story, which takes places after Leah has returned. Leah is no longer communicating properly, and enjoys little more than sitting in a full bathtub day in, day out. Leah gradually grows sick as her skin falls away and she vomits salty water. Miri is powerless to help her, and doesn’t understand how something like this could have happened.

Miri grieves the loss of her wife and her marriage, all while her wife is still technically present. She has so many questions but cannot get answers. Our Wives Under the Sea is a different kind of kafkaesque, examining the bureaucracy of our social and romantic lives, as well as that of loss itself.

Given how easy it is to access Culross from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and other nearby towns and cities such as Perth, Falkirk, and Stirling, this historic little town makes for a very popular day trip for those interested in Scottish and British history, as well as those who simply like to imagine what life was like several centuries ago. And imagining is easy when Culross remains entirely populated by old stone cottages and cobbled streets.

The History of Culross

For centuries, Culross existed as a small port town on the Firth of Forth. But everything changed with the discovery of coal in the 16th century. That discovery led the merchant George Bruce (who would later be knighted for his successes in Culross) to establish a coal mine in the town.

The mine opened in 1575, but in 1590 Culross’ workers dug out what became known as the Coal Pit, the first coal mine to tunnel below the sea. The Coal Pit extended under the Firth of Forth, and the coal mined there made the town a prosperous and popular place. Merchants and tradesmen filled the streets; the town was shrouded in the smells and the fog of industry. And in its centre, George Bruce built himself a grand home: Culross Palace.

Not a palace in any true sense, Bruce’s grand home was still an impressive space—one which visitors are free to explore (more on that below). Culross Palace is separated into two buildings, one built more than a decade after the other; as well as gardens and a courtyard. It is also notable for its vivid yellow exterior, and for the fact that Bruce’s “palace” was even visited by King James VI in 1617.

After George Bruce’s death in 1625, his mining legacy didn’t last too much longer. The town soon quieted and shrank as industry in Scotland moved on. But the town didn’t. Its stone cottages, as well as Culross Palace, remained exactly as they were—almost out of time.

Culross Town House (otherwise known as the Culross Tollbooth), another iconic part of the village, was built a year after Bruce’s death, in 1626, and since then the town has seen minimal modernisation. Today, Culross Palace is owned by the National Trust of Scotland; many of the town’s cottages have been converted into shops, cafes, and BnBs. Other houses are simply lived in by private residents, as they always have been.

Visiting Culross: What to Do

The best way to get to Culross is to drive. Depending on traffic, getting to Culross will take between 30 and 60 minutes from Edinburgh or Glasgow. Upon entering the town, you’ll find a free car park. And once you’ve parked, it’s a five minute walk along the edge of the Firth of Forth, past a playground and a green area, before you reach the heart of the village: Culross Palace.

That aforementioned green area is often populated by independent stalls where people sell homemade cakes and handcrafted blankets, wood carvings, scarves, and other decorations for your home. The people making and selling their crocheted hats, stained glass decorations, and moreish brownies are friendly and always happy to chat with visitors as you browse their homemade wares.

Its hard to get lost in Culross, given how the village is made up of just a few cobbled streets. Two building’s you’ll notice immediately are George Bruce’s Palace and the Culross Tollbooth. Today, the Tollbooth is a gift shop and exhibition space. And the gift shop is where you’ll find tickets to Culross Palace.

Culross is a popular tourist destination for fans of the Outlander TV drama (based on a series of historical novels by Diana Gabaldon). Outlander is a hugely popular show, especially in the US, and fans flock to Culross to see some of the show’s filming locations in person. Outlander has been filmed both on the streets of Culross and inside Culross Palace.

Culross Palace

The Palace itself, constructed as a residence for George Bruce in the late 16th century, is free to enter for anyone with a National Trust membership; everyone else must buy a ticket from the Tollbooth gift shop. Entry to Culross Palace is every fifteen minutes, and upon entry you’ll be guided to a room where you’ll watch a short video on the history of the town. Then, you are free to explore the Palace rooms and gardens.

Culross Palace is a beautiful place to explore, with so much of its interiors perfectly preserved or restored. Four-poster beds, dining tables, portraits, fireplaces, latticed windows, chandeliers, and every other element of interior decoration you’d expect to find in a grand 16th century house. You’re free to take your time as you wander from room to room—including the drawing room, kitchen, bedrooms, attic spaces, and gardens.

Shops and Cafes

It’s best to arrive in Culross in the late morning, just in time for lunch. The town has two excellent cafes that provide tea, coffee, cakes, and homemade soups and sandwiches. The first is Bessie’s Cafe and the other is the Biscuit Cafe. Both are popular places for tourists and visitors to enjoy lunch or a snack, before or after exploring Culross Palace and the town’s cobbled streets.

On the ground floor of the Town House/Tollbooth, you’ll find a gift shop which sells tickets to the Palace, as well as various knickknacks connected to Scottish history and culture. There are books on Scottish folklore, highland cow plushies, wool blankets, jewellery, and many other things to buy so that you might remember your visit to the beautiful town of Culross.

To prove that, here are some of the best works of fantasy fiction written by women over the past several decades. Many of these books are modern, but of course great authors like Ursula K. Le Guin flew so high long before many of us even considered trying to walk.

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

With The Goblin Emperor, author Katherine Addison provides a very unique take on the fantasy story. Its setting is familiar: an elven land with a kingdom at its heart. But this is a high court tale of political games, rather than an adventure or a great war. Our protagonist, Maia, is the half-goblin youngest son of the emperor, and when a tragedy leads this exiled prince to suddenly ascend to the throne, he must learn the ins and outs of court life.

Imagine a novel set in the world of A Song of Ice and Fire which takes place entirely in the King’s Landing—more specifically, the Red Keep. The Goblin Emperor is, first and foremost, a political drama. We follow closely, often with bated breath, as Maia navigates palace life, learns quickly who to trust, and who might want to stab him in the back. Then, of course, there’s the matter of the tragedy that took his father and brothers.

The Goblin Emperor is a fresh and unique fantasy novel that succeeds on the back of its fantastic protagonist, its sharp dialogue, and its deep dive into palace politics. A real page-turner of a fantasy novel, and a book like no other in the genre.

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin was one of the great authors of sci-fi and fantasy; her legacy will last for as long as books themselves do. And while sci-fi novels like The Left Hand of Darkness and The Dispossessed encouraged readers to consider social dynamics and gender roles in unique ways, her Earthsea fantasy series—which began with A Wizard of Earthsea—is a masterpiece of world-building, character writing, and plotting.

In this first book in the series, we follow Ged, a young man born on a quiet island in this expansive archipelago world. Ged displays a knack for magic early in his life, and is sent off to study wizardry at a school of magic. From here, we watch him grow up into a powerful wizard.

What sets the novel apart from many of its kind is Ged himself: a reckless and often arrogant young man who makes mistakes and must fix them. This is a coming-of-age story in the trust sense, as Ged fumbles and commits grave errors on his way to being not only a wizard but, simply, an adult. Much like her contemporary Diana Wynne Jones, Le Guin wasn’t afraid to write characters who are at first unlikeable and must learn to face life head on.

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

N.K. Jemisin is a powerhouse of a writer who pens fantasy masterpieces; that’s simply what she does, time after time after time. The City We Became—the first half of an urban fantasy duology—blends Lovecraftian mythology with superhero tropes to create a vibrant, exciting, and brilliantly fast-paced story about the soul of a city. The novel is also an unabashed love letter to the author’s home of New York City.

Our protagonists are the newly-awoken avatars of New York’s five burroughs: people chosen to fight for and protect a city and its people. When a world city has lived for long enough, and has developed enough of an identity, it wakes up and a soul is born. But some cities have more than one soul—London, for example, has twelve. And newly-awoken New York has five (and a sixth for the city itself).

These avatars—Manny, Brooklyn, Bronca, Padmini, and Aislyn—must find one another and also learn to understand themselves as the face off against a mysterious invader who is wreaking havoc on their city: The Woman in White. This is a brilliant work of urban fantasy that also explores contemporary American politics, race relations, gender dynamics, and more in a savvy and engaging way.

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb is a queen of the fantasy genre, and she is known for writing tightly-crafted trilogies of books which all take place in the same world. The best of these trilogies is, in this writer’s opinion, The Liveship Traders, which begins with Ship of Magic. These are books of family politics and trade economics set on islands, in coastal towns, and aboard ships brought to life by a sacred generational magic.

In Ship of Magic, we follow multiple interconnected characters—many of whom come from the same family of liveship traders: the Vestrits—as their liveship quickens following the death of its captain. Liveships are made from wizardwood, and they come to life (quicken) once three generations of captain have died on board. Its a magic that takes much time and sacrifice to finally take effect.

The strength of this series of fantasy novels comes from its interconnected family politics and the strength of those individual characters; some courageous and spirited, others secretive and corrupt. The cast is large, diverse, and brilliantly dynamic, and the political moves that are made keep readers firmly glued to the page.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

R.F. Kuang became an overnight sensation with the publication of her dark academia novel Babel, but her debut novel The Poppy War (the first book in a trilogy of the same name) is also a masterpiece of epic fantasy fiction. The Poppy War is set in a world inspired by 20th century China, and it follows Rin—a southern peasant girl who passes a rigorous test to enter the nation’s most prestigious military academy.

In doing so, Rin immediately frees herself from a life of poverty, removes herself from the place where she became a war orphan, and escapes the guardians who had planned to marry her off for money. But the academy itself is far from a pleasant place, and new struggles await her. Rin must continue her fight to survive, to thrive, and to prove herself against all the odds.

R.F. Kuang is, without a doubt, one of the great fantasy writers of this century. Her novels continue to amaze and inspire, and all of this began with the astonishingly powerful The Poppy War.

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

Ink Blood Sister Scribe is a wonderful work of urban fantasy that begins in Vermont and Antarctica. We follow two sisters, daughters of a family that has long been entrusted with protecting a library of powerful magical tomes. When the novel opens, their father stumbles out of their Vermont house, holding one of these books, and it kills him by draining him of his blood. How did this happen, and why?

While Joanna deals with this tragedy and the mystery behind it, her sister Esther is on a research base in Antarctica. She left home as a teenager and was told by her father that she can never stay in one place for longer than a year. Every November, she must pick herself up and move somewhere new. She is running from whatever it was that killed her mother, and that thing requires a year to find and hunt Esther down.

Mysteries abound in this novel, which blends dark academia with urban fantasy and thriller elements. Ink Blood Sister Scribe is a fantastically well-paced and well-plotted novel of dangerous, dark magic and those who keep it secret.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

V.E. Schwab is one of the most successful fantasy authors of this century so far. With her works often being set in our world, and with an urban fantasy vibe, she is often compared to Neil Gaiman, but her books very much have their own style and flavour. And that can best be seen with The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: a faustian tale about a young French woman who once made a deal with the devil, with unique ramifications.

The titular Addie LaRue made a deal that would see her living forever without ageing, but the catch is that nobody will ever remember her. As soon as she is out of sight, anyone who comes in contact with her instantly forgets her. She has lived this way for centuries, but one day in New York City, she meets a young man who, for some reason, doesn’t forget her.

The novel takes us from 18th century France to the NYC of the modern day, following the cursed and lonely life of a woman who cannot die but can also never be remembered. It’s a wonderful urban fantasy epic for readers of all kinds to enjoy.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Susanna Clarke exploded into the literary scene with her thousand-page historical fantasy epic Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. And years later, she returned with the far shorter and far stranger Piranesi, one of the most singularly enjoyable and beloved fantasy novels of recent years (and winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021).

The less you know about this novel’s plot, the better, but here’s a vague blurb: the titular Piranesi lives in an endless labyrinth known as the House. He is mostly alone, except for routine visits from a well-dressed man he calls the Other. Piranesi explores this house, decorated with clouds and statues and an entire ocean. And one day, the Other gives him a task to complete.

To say more would be to spoil it, but Piranesi is a true page-turner. The mystery of the House begs understanding, as does the Other. And Piranesi himself is one of the most likeable, endearing protagonists in recent fiction—fantasy or otherwise. He is a true treasure of a protagonist, and its thanks to him that the novel is so adored.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Until the publication of this book, British fantasy author Samantha Shannon was known for her series of urban fantasy novels The Bone Season. Then came the enormous fantasy epic The Priory of the Orange Tree, which launched Shannon into the upper echelon of great fantasy writers.

The Priory of the Orange Tree is a beautifully queer, brilliantly feminist tale of castles and dragons. It follows several characters in different places around the world. One is the queen of Inys, Sabran. She is struggling to hold onto power and there are those who seek to dethrone her. She also has a maid who secretly serves the titular society of mages: the priory. And then there is the young dragon rider Tané.

Each of these characters risks much from the very beginning, as tensions burn and the world threatens to shift. Worst of all is the threatened return of the great and evil dragon: The Nameless One. The Priory of the Orange Tree is a fantasy epic in every single way; one that adheres to the familiar rules and tropes of the genre but brings them into the modern day.

Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake

While her novel The Atlas Six was an immediate smash hit, Gifted & Talented is certainly the superior novel. This is a richly detailed novel, written with a kind of gilded prose, which presents us with the lives of three horrible siblings: Meredith, Arthur, and Eilidh.

These nepobabies are the children of Thayer Wren, CEO of a magitech company. Meredith invented an app that asserts an ability to cure mental illness; Arthur is a young senator; and Eilidh is a former ballerina whose career was cut short by an injury.

Our protagonists are all horrid in their own entertaining ways, and each one is a potential inheritor of their father’s empire. Or are they? The events of the novel take a backseat to the unfolding of their hilariously unlovable personalities and behaviours; and Blake also sprinkles in a little (though arguably not enough) fun magic along the way.

The Magician’s Guild by Trudi Canavan

The first book in Trudi Canavan’s Black Magician trilogy, The Magician’s Guild follows a young slum girl named Sonea, who has put a target on her own back by disrupting the peace with a single stone.

The magicians of Imardin are hated and feared, and during one of their routine purges of the city, their magic is pierced by a rock hurled by a little girl. This girl has a gift; untrained and untamed, she could turn their world on its head.

And so Sonea must run, and if she is captured she will be hurled into a world of dominant magic as she is held and trained by the titular Magician’s Guild.

A Winter’s Promise by Christelle Dabos

Translated from the French by Hildegarde Serle

Written by French author Christelle Dabos, A Winter’s Promise is the first book in The Mirror Visitor trilogy of YA fantasy books. The peoples of this world live entirely on floating islands, isolated and heavily distinct from one another. These island nations (known as Arks) have their own traditions, technologies, and cultures.

One the Ark known as Anima, protagonist Ophelia is a girl with the unique ability to communicate with the souls of objects. She is also able to travel by passing through her own reflection. And Ophelia is thrown into an unhappy and unlikely situation when her hand is promised to a powerful member of the Dragon Clan: a man named Thorn.

A Winter’s Promise is a brilliantly inventive YA fantasy novel with a focus on romance and high court politics.

The Unbroken by C.L. Clark

C.L. Clark’s The Unbroken is the first novel in the Magic of the Lost fantasy series. This is a bold and thrilling queer epic about the evils of empire. Through subtle use of established languages and linguistic rules, the novel implies that it takes heavy inspiration from the French Colonial Empire and the North African nations it colonised.

Our first protagonist is Touraine, a soldier taken from her home and conscripted to fight for the very empire that took control of her land and its people. The second is the princess of that empire: a woman named Luca. It’s been years since Touraine was taken, and she has risen through the ranks as a weapon of the empire. Now, she is sent back to her homeland to squash a rising rebellion.

When one the rebellion’s leader is captured and executed, Touraine is told that her mother is alive. In a moment, this splits her loyalties and she is caught between her duty and her homeland. Making things harder is the bond that she forms with the princess after saving her life. The Unbroken is a phenomenal story of colonialism and empire.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Easily one of the most beloved fantasy stories of the past few decades, Erin Morgenstern’s astonishing debut novel The Night Circus is set in an alternate Victorian world, and it follows two protagonists who are pitted against one another by their masters in a contest of magic.

The titular circus is truly magical, travelling from place to place and led by its powerful owner, Prospero. But Prospero has an enigmatic friend named Mr A.H. —, and the two have made a pact to each raise a powerful magic user; when the time comes, their protégés will be made to duel. And it’s these two protégés that we follow over the course of this spellbinding novel.

Celia is Prospero’s daughter, and Marco is the orphan ward of Mr. A.H. —. As the novel goes, we watch them grow and learn more about the circus. The Night Circus stands out thanks to its playful fairytale plot and its author’s magnificent command over writing and dialogue.

Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher is a master author of horror and dark fantasy, and Nettle and Bone is a short novel inspired by the tropes and aesthetics of fairy tales. Everything about these tropes are entirely and playfully inverted here, however. Protagonist Marra is the youngest princess of a small kingdom squashed between two larger and more imposing nations.

Her eldest sister, in a move of political strategy, was married of to the prince of one nation in order to better protect them from the other, but that sister has since died. Now, the prince wants to marry the family’s second daughter. Marra moves to protect her sister from sharing the first daughter’s fate. She means to kill this murderous prince.

To do that, however, she will need to head out on a dangerous quest, completing impossible tasks and recruiting strange people to her cause. She will somehow have to bring a dog to life and forge a cloak out of nettles. Doing so might allow her to complete her dangerous task.

Red Sonja: Consumed by Gail Simone

Red Sonja is a character with a long and storied history, having begun as a Marvel Comics character back in the 70s. Today, she is owned by Dynamite and her story was rebooted by comic book legend Gail Simone back in 2013. A decade late, Simone made the world of Red Sonja the subject of her debut novel, Red Sonja: Consumed. And it is a fantastic sword and sorcery adventure.

Sword and sorcery is a unique subgenre of fantasy with a more pulpy tone and aesthetic; they are violent and less focussed on world-building. Rather, they follow a morally grey antihero on a bloody quest across an eldritch land of monsters and magic. And Red Sonja: Consumed offers fantasy readers a return to that subgenre which has become increasingly unpopular over the past few decades.

The novel begins with the titular Sonja, the She-Devil, having seduced and then stolen from a queen. Now, with the queen in hot pursuit, Sonja must return to her homeland as she hears whispers of a strange evil that rises from the earth and steals the life from unsuspecting innocents. The novel shifts point-of-view frequently, giving us a dynamic look at the world she inhabits and the dangerous tale that unfolds.

Elements of Japanese Damascus Knives

Apart from their striking beauty, Japanese Damascus knives are unique because of their superior performance in the kitchen. The Damascus pattern seen on the blade is not just an aesthetic addition; it is an aesthetic that speaks for the quality of the knife and the ingenuity of the blacksmith. In addition to the aesthetic aspect of having multiple layers in the blade, there are several advantages in its design. The outer layers of softer material that include stainless steel shield the inner steel from corrosion hence the knife is able to resist rusting and staining.

As for the working process, Japanese Damascus knives boast sharp edges that easily glide across various ingredients. The core of the knife is made of high carbon steel, which can be either VG-10 or AUS-10, and it is famous for maintaining a sharp edge, so chefs can easily and skillfully cut food. 

This acumen not only improves the efficiency of food preparation processes but also protects the integrity of delicate ingredients like fishing for sushi or vegetables for sashimi.

Also, Japanese Damascus knives have multiple steel layers making them harder and more resistant than knives with a single steel layer. There are several layers of steel pieces in these knives that make them effective for cutting thin slices as well as cutting joints of meat or poultry. These attributes make knives made of Japanese Damascus steel very valuable in professional kitchens, as well as among amateurs who are interested in the craftsmanship of these knives for various culinary activities.

Types of Japanese Damascus Knives

Japanese Damascus knives come in various types, each tailored to specific culinary tasks:
Gyuto (Chef’s Knife): The gyuto is a versatile, all-purpose knife suitable for slicing, dicing, and chopping meats, vegetables, and herbs. Its curved blade allows for a rocking motion, making it ideal for mincing garlic or herbs with ease.

Santoku: Translating to “three virtues,” the santoku excels in slicing, dicing, and mincing. Its straight edge and rounded tip facilitate precise cuts, making it a favorite among home cooks and professionals alike for general kitchen duties.

Nakiri: Designed specifically for vegetable preparation, the Nakiri features a straight-edged blade that excels in push-cutting vegetables. Its thin blade ensures clean, uniform slices without crushing or tearing delicate produce.

Petty Knife: A smaller knife used for intricate tasks such as peeling fruits, deveining shrimp, or performing detailed cuts and garnishes. Its compact size and precise control make it indispensable for delicate kitchen work.
Each type of knife exhibits variations in blade length, thickness, and handle design, catering to diverse cooking styles and preferences.

Materials and Construction

The construction of Japanese Damascus knives is a labor-intensive process that starts with selecting high-quality steels and ends with meticulous craftsmanship. The core of the knife is typically made from high-carbon steel, known for its hardness and ability to maintain a sharp edge. Surrounding this core are multiple layers of softer stainless steel, which not only protect the core from corrosion but also contribute to the blade’s resilience and flexibility.

The forging process involves heating the steel to high temperatures, followed by repeated folding and hammering to create the layered pattern visible on the blade’s surface. This technique not only enhances the blade’s strength and durability but also ensures that the knife can withstand rigorous use without compromising its sharpness or structural integrity.

Modern advancements in metallurgy and forging techniques have allowed manufacturers to experiment with different steel combinations and layering methods, resulting in Japanese Damascus knives with increasingly intricate patterns and enhanced performance characteristics.

While traditional methods honor centuries-old craftsmanship, contemporary approaches incorporate scientific precision to achieve blades that are not only functional but also works of art in their own right.

Performance and Versatility

The performance of Japanese Damascus knives is unparalleled in the culinary world. Their razor-sharp edges effortlessly slice through ingredients with minimal resistance, ensuring clean cuts and preserving the integrity of delicate foods. The hardness of the steel core enables prolonged edge retention, reducing the need for frequent sharpening compared to conventional knives. Furthermore, the balanced construction and ergonomic designs of these knives minimize hand fatigue during prolonged use, making them comfortable and efficient tools in the kitchen.

Maintenance and Care

Maintenance of Japanese Damascus knives is a significant factor to enhance their longevity and efficiency. It is advised that the knives be washed by hand in warm water and mild soap each after use and then dried immediately in order to avoid water stains and rust formation. Refraining from washing the knife with acidic foods and abrasive soaps maintains the sharpness and luster of the appliance.

Stroking the knife while holding it against a sharpening steel or honing rod keeps the knife sharp in between sharpening. When it is time to sharpen, use a whetstone or the sharpening system geared towards Japanese knives in order to regain the edge of the blade while preserving the metal integrity.

Storing the knives in a knife block, magnetic strip or protective sheath not only protects the knives from getting damaged but also displays it safely and conveniently in the kitchen.

Choosing the Right Knife

Choosing the right Japanese Damascus knife is depends on some criteria such as taste, frequency of use and the amount of money that is willing to spend. This involves conducting studies to identify reliable brands associated with good workmanship and quality materials. Further, touch and feel, such as weight and balance, as well as how the knife feels in your hands, are best experienced firsthand.

Conclusion

Authentic Japanese Damascus kitchen knives are not only works of art and pieces of history but also essential tools needed by lovers and users of knives and professional cooks. Whether it is the stylish Damascus patterns or the enhanced acuity and sturdiness of these knives, these cuts enhance kitchen adventures while embracing the culture and history of Japan in blade making. In this way, enthusiasts will not only appreciate the type of work and detail possessed by the Japanese Damascus knives but also provide the right care for them.

Read More:

Best Japanese Cookbooks

Japanese Snacks You Must Try

Japanese Tea: Everything You Need to Know

Weird girl books are all about upsetting the norm. They’re punk tales of women being gross, strange, dangerous, or even just allowing themselves to be sad, angry, unpleasant, and unlikeable. These subversive books are all about painting women in darker, stranger colours, and we love to see it!

Out by Natsuo Kirino

Translated from the Japanese by Stephen Snyder

One of the progenitors of weird girl fiction, Out is a thriller that follows four women who work night shifts at a sandwich factory. The men in their lives are cruel and hateful, and eventually one of them snaps and murders her husband by choking him to death with his own belt while their kids are in the other room.

With the help of the other three women, she cuts up and hides his body, and they all agree to a vow of silent solidarity. But this vow might not last, and if it doesn’t there will be police and even worse sniffing around, searching for the truth. This is a very bleak novel about downtrodden women doing dark things in order to forge a path too freedom, liberation, or even just a little good old fashioned revenge.

Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

Ottessa Moshfegh is perhaps the quintessential weird woman of fiction right now. Her books are off-kilter and upsetting, leaving readers with a sense of unease. None moreso than Lapvona, a gothic medieval tale of serfdom, subservience, witchcraft, and death.

The titular Lapvona is an isolated village lorded over by a rich man who lives on a hill above the peasantry. One of those peasants is a disfigured boy with a cruel father who lies to him. We learn about these men, as well as the son of the lord, over the course of a year. That year is beset by drought, disease, and day-to-day struggles.

There is also a dark magical element to Lapvona. The village witch was wet-nurse to many of the villagers, and she replaces her eyes with those of a horse in order to regain her sight. Beyond this, Lapvona is a novel with clear socialist undertones from an author who seems to be very cynical towards society, and the book is amazing as a result.

Boulder by Eva Baltasar

Translated from the Catalan by Julia Sanchez

Boulder is a Catalan novel about the complexities of love and relationships. We begin on a ship off the coast of Chile, where the titular Boulder meets a woman with whom she quickly falls in love. When Samsa gets a job in Reykjavik, Boulder follows her and their relationship becomes strained. This is mostly because Samsa wants to have a child and Boulder doesn’t.

What begins as a hedonistic relationship defined by lust and adventure soon becomes a recognisable tale of the struggles of love when one person wants what the other doesn’t. It’s an ugly and uneasy work of sapphic literary fiction. There is little romance in here; instead, it reminds us of the often uneasy and messy nature of relationships.

Boy Parts by Eliza Clark

An icon of weird girl fiction, Eliza Clark’s Boy Parts is a work of literary fiction about a photographer in her twenties who lives in Newcastle and is defined by her own self-destructive behaviour. Irina is building a portfolio of works which all depict boys and men in explicit poses and doing illicit acts. She invited them to her studio, sometimes seduces them, and takes photos for her collection.

Soon, she is offered the opportunity to display her work at a museum in London, which she accepts. In the meantime, she falls into a potential relationship with an actual good guy, goes to parties with friends, and flashes back to a fractured and strange past that we gently piece together over time.

Irina isn’t like other girls; and she is also on the fast track to burning out. Memories are creeping in, and she is shutting everyone out. We watch her like a car crash and we wonder where she will land.

Read More: Essential Fantasy Books by Women

Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval

Translated from the Norwegian by Marjam Idriss

Written by Norwegian singer-songwriter Jenny Hval, Paradise Rot follows a naive young woman who has moved to a dank and wet nameless town for university. She moves into a converted brewery—open-plan but divided poorly by cheap and flimsy walls, like the cubicles in an office. There is an unsettling lack of privacy here between pour protagonist and her new roommate.

What makes this so wonderfully weird and gothic is our protagonist’s obsession with the body—with bodily fluids and the mechanics of our fleshy, wet parts. While it isn’t body horror, it is a novel that makes a horror out of the body, reminding us that we are gooey sacks that take in and expel so much mush and wetness, and everything about us dies and rots. This is a claustrophobic and strange tale.

Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt

A straight-up work of political horror, Tell Me I’m Worthless has become a cult classic of the genre. Rumfitt’s novel tells the story of two women who were once friends at university. As adults, however, one is transgender and the other is a TERF. We know they fell out after spending a night at a haunted house (called Albion—get it?). Something awful happened there, and we will eventually find out what, exactly, that was.

With a real Shirley Jackson edge to it, Tell Me I’m Worthless is a novel about the fascistic attitudes of modern-day Britain to scapegoat transgender people. It explores the “values” of Britain and twists them into something that better resembles what the country really is at its core. A wonderfully subversive and unsettling haunted house horror novel.

Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

Translated from the Japanese by Ginny Tapley Takemori

Japanese author Sayaka Murata has become a legend of weird fiction in recent years, and her novel Earthlings upsets as many people as it impresses. It tells the story of a young woman named Natsuki who believes that she is, in fact, an alien.

As a girl, she spent her summers in a mountaintop holiday home with her extended family. She and her cousin Yuu had an unhealthy and taboo relationship at a very young age, and that is only the tip of Natsuki’s iceberg.

As an adult, she still believes that she is an alien, but she has found a way to survive in ordinary human society by entering into an asexual marriage with a man, though she gradually teaches him about how she sees the world: as a factory churning out well-behaved minions for patriarchy and capitalism to suck dry. Natsuki wants to escape this factory, and her methods for doing so are deeply unsettling.

The Pisces by Melissa Broder

Like Ottessa Moshfegh, Melissa Broder is a queen of weird woman fiction, and The Pisces is her masterpiece: a darkly funny tale of mental illness, seduction, unhealthy relationships, and dysfunctional people. Protagonist Lucy is invited to look after her sister’s dog and apartment in Venice, LA. There, she goes on a few bad dates with awful men and eventually falls into a relationship with an actual honest-to-goodness merman.

She goes to group therapy sessions, continues to fall deeper into self-destruction via toxic Tinder dates, and develops a deep obsession with her merman, all the while gradually ignoring her sister’s dog, her responsibilities, and her life. She is a broken, awful woman, and we become addicted to following her decline into depravity and unhinged behaviour.

Cuckoo by Gretchen Felker-Martin

Gretchen Felker-Martin is known for writing the most visceral, uncensored, and frankly depraved scenes of horror in the genre’s history. Her novel Cuckoo plays out like Stephen King’s IT meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers at a conversion camp for gay and trans kids in the ’90s. These kids have been abducted and driven out to the desert to learn “correct” values. There, they will come up against an eldritch horror that threatens their lives.

This group of kids features lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans boys and girls, and we gradually learn about their individual pasts, watch them bond together, and get some kind of idea about the monstrous thing that lives out in the desert, hunts them, and wears their skin. These kids are being hollowed-out, but they’re also resilient and tougher than they look. But the threat is monstrous and deadly.

Bunny by Mona Awad

Bunny is part of the popular dark academia genre, but it stands out by being a strange, satirical, and cynical novel about college life and the cliquey relationships between young women. This modern classic follows Samantha, a masters student of Creative Writing, and she’s the only girl on the course who isn’t part of an exclusionary in-group of vapid girls who all call each other Bunny.

Samantha is a punk outlier until she isn’t. She gets invited into the group via a letter to one of their parties. At this party, the Bunnies play with dark magic and sacrifice rabbits, which conjures up a hot but simple-headed guy who suddenly appears at their door. From here, Samantha falls into a world of off-kilter strangeness. Feverish and occult, it is an addictive tale of weird women being weird.

This is your complete guide to Culzean Castle, from the story of its history to all the practical details you need in order to make a rich and wonderful day of exploring this grand Scottish castle.

The History of Culzean Castle

Construction of Culzean Castle began in 1777 and was completed in 1792, designed by renowned neoclassical Scottish architect Robert Adam (Adam was also responsible for the impressive Syon House in West London and the truly iconic Pulteney Bridge in Bath).

Adam oversaw the construction of Culzean Castle for David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassilis, who desired a grand seat for his earldom. The castle’s official website describes the castle, under the earl’s vision, as opulent and flamboyant, and these words couldn’t be more appropriate. There is a grandiosity to the castle and its grounds that borders on the absurd. Culzean Castle is pure pageantry, and it is all the more stunning for it.

In 1945, Kennedy’s descendants handed the castle over to the National Trust for Scotland, and today it is a popular destination for day-trips. Its location—perched atop the cliffs of Ayrshire—and its staggering grounds, decorated with exotic plants and flowers, make for a perfect place to spend a day breathing the fresh sea air and enjoying the beauty of both mother nature and human design.

When You Visit Culzean Castle

The unique thing about Culzean Castle is the way it has been presented for guests. The first thing you see upon arriving is not the great castle itself, but rather a courtyard bordered with several buildings for you to explore at your leisure. This is the Culzean Country Park Visitor Centre, and the buildings include:

• A restaurant/cafe in the old castle stables (Home Farm Kitchen)
• A gift shop that sells local arts and crafts (Home Farm Shop)
• Public toilets
• A beautiful second-hand bookshop

Many visitors chose to grab lunch or a coffee at the Home Farm Kitchen in order to fuel up for the short coastal walk over the the castle. Once you’re ready to head out, you wander past the Home Farm Shop and step out onto a path that takes you past the Home Farm Second-Hand Bookshop.

This bookshop is impressive in its size, occupying a beautiful old stone building. Bookcases line the walls and tables are decorated with books in the centre of the room. These bookcases are organised into your standard fiction and nonfiction, but interestingly the fiction sections are also divided into hardcovers and paperbacks by women and men. We’ve never seen gender segregation in bookshops before, and it’s certainly an odd choice, but you do you, shop.

The coastal walk to Culzean Castle takes around ten minutes, but you’ll be tempted to stop and take in the sights and sounds of the sea and woodland. Breathe the sea air, listen to the birds, say hi to passing visitors, and wander at your own pace.

The moment you reach the castle itself is a jaw-dropping one. The path will take you to a stone archway supported by short stone towers, and this archway perfectly frames the castle in all its opulence. Beyond the arch is a stone bridge that overlooks the castle’s impressive and colourful garden.

Once you’ve crossed the bridge, you’ll find the Coach House Gallery to your right and the grand castle to your left, with the wide open ocean spread out ahead of you. The gallery is open 11am—4pm and offers original artwork for sale at a range of affordable prices.

The castle itself offers visitors two options: a guided tour (these are at specific times every few hours—ask at reception for details as soon as you enter) or a self-tour. Choosing the self-tour simply means you are free to wander the house at your own pace, taking your time to admire the artwork, furniture, and decor. A guided tour will provide you with plenty of historical facts and details about everything you see as you explore.

Culzean Castle is divided into several floors with all the lavishly-decorated rooms you would expect to find in a flamboyant old castle: a library, drawing room, dining room, bedrooms with four-posted beds, a servants’ kitchen, and a grand staircase at its heart.

Beyond the castle’s reception area, the first room you’ll enter is the drawing room, and while it’s not unusual for rooms like this one—especially in European castles—to be decorated with medieval weaponry and suits of armour, Culzean Castle is unique in how its drawing room walls are lined with what must surely be hundreds of flintlock pistols. It’s unique and a little alarming, depending on your persuasion.

While on one side of the castle, you have the blue of the ocean, on the other you have the green of the gardens. You can stick close to the castle and admire the decorative canons that stand beside it, then trace the length of the castle and smell the myriad flowers which line the paths. At the end of one path, you’ll find an orangery which you’re free to pop into and explore.

Getting to Culzean Castle

The nearest large city to Culzean Castle is Glasgow, and getting to the castle grounds from there takes an hour by car. It’s a very easy and stress-free drive along a mix of motorways and main roads.

If you’re taking public transport, things are unfortunately a little more complicated. You can take a ScotRail train from Glasgow Central to Ayr (the closes town to Culzean Castle), and from there you can hop on the 60 bus, which will take thirty minutes to arrive at Glenside. Finally, you’ll need to walk half a mile (15 minutes) to arrive at the Culzean Country Park Visitor Centre.

Culzean Castle is open every day between 10:30am and 4:30pm (last entry is at 4:00pm).

Entry prices are £20 for adults, £12 for children, and £48.50 for a family ticket.

Note: Culzean Castle is a National Trust for Scotland property. Visitors with National Trust membership cards can enter for free.

As a frequent traveler, both on short and long-term trips, I’m always searching for exceptional luggage that fits three requirements: durable, stylish, and makes packing effortless.

Like many of you, I’ve encountered my fair share of suitcases that promise the world but fall short of expectations. Either the wheels wear down, the zipper breaks, or they’re designed in a way that just doesn’t make sense. Whichever it is, you quickly realize you’ve made a mistake.

After hearing so much about LEVEL8 and its reputation for quality and elegance, I figured I’d give it a go. Since I had a trip to New York coming up, I went ahead and ordered their Voyageur Luggage Set in navy. They had a lot of great color variations, more than other luggage companies I’ve seen. I was very charmed by the bright yellow, but in the end, I couldn’t resist the navy. The cost-effective set includes a 20” and 28” inch pair of suitcases or a 20” and a 26” pair. So your hand luggage is sorted, and it depends on how much you like to take away with you when you go away. I went for the larger size to have something for short-haul travel and something when I take those longer trips as a digital nomad. 

The suitcases arrived incredibly quickly and were very well packed. Now that I’ve had time to use them, I’m going to share my experience with you and answer some of the most common questions about LEVEL8 and the Voyageur luggage. Let’s dive in!

Is the LEVEL8 luggage as well made as they say?

Actually, the first thing that struck me about the Voyageur set was the excellent craftsmanship. More often than not these days, we order something online, and it doesn’t live up to what’s initially promised, but thankfully, that’s not the case with LEVEL8. The meticulous attention to detail is evident in every aspect of their construction. There’s an outer protective layer, a middle reinforcement layer, and an interior buffer layer to make sure all your things are safe even with the roughest journeys. Honestly, I’m someone who ends up smacking my suitcase into everything, and it’s really impressive how much it still looks brand new.

All of their cases are made from German-made Makrolon® polycarbonate, which, in real terms, means that they feel incredibly resilient and high-quality but still manage to be remarkably lightweight. If you’re anything like me, who truly uses every inch of my suitcase and is no stranger to excess luggage fees, this is a must for not going overweight!

The LEVEL8 Voyageur Luggage Set excels in this regard, offering a remarkably lightweight construction that sets it apart from many other popular luggage brands on the market. Even when empty, the 20-inch carry-on suitcase weighs just 8.1 pounds, while the larger 26-inch checked bag weighs a featherweight 11.8 pounds, and the 28-inch is just 12.4 pounds.

TIP: Take 10% off any LEVEL8 product by entering booksandbao10 at checkout.

How does the Voyageur Luggage Set look?

It’s a very sophisticated-looking travel companion, with interesting details that make all the difference — it really doesn’t look generic, which I think is important for when you need to spot your luggage or just stand out from the crowd. I particularly love the silhouette of this luggage—the longer rectangle shape reminds me of old leather suitcases, but it has a modern, updated feel and is built to withstand.

Its Micro-Diamond texture adds a touch of elegance, making it stand out and giving it that expensive look. However, it also serves a practical purpose. It provides a scratch-resistant surface, which means your luggage retains its pristine appearance even after countless trips. I love that it’s built to withstand the realities of travel.

During my trip, I encountered a situation where the scratch-resistant surface truly came to the rescue. While jostling for space in a crowded shuttle van, my suitcase scraped up loudly against a metal railing. Obviously, things like that happen when traveling but I was sad it happened to my brand new suitcase. To my genuine surprise, there were no marks or scratches on the luggage at all! This reassured me of the suitcase’s durability and ability to withstand the inevitable bumps and scrapes that come with travel. I also noticed that the exterior is particularly easy to clean. Any scuffs and dust, so far, have been easily wiped away with a damp cloth.

Another surprise is that it’s perfectly suited to working; you can prop your laptop on top of it to catch up with some work at the airport or a hostel without a desk. This shows the level of detail they’ve put into every aspect.

So, in terms of aesthetics and durability, this luggage is ticking every box so far!

How are the wheels on the Voyageur Luggage?

One of the quickest ways to tell good and bad luggage apart is the wheels. They’re always the first thing to go on poorer-quality suitcases, so these days, I test the wheels as much as possible before buying a new suitcase. 

Thankfully, LEVEL8 cares as much about the wheels as I do. These are some of the smoothest wheels I’ve encountered on an item of luggage — yes, really! Their suitcases have 360° quiet spinner wheels that just glide. I definitely noticed a reduced strain on my wrists compared to my previous suitcase, which is worth it alone. The suitcases glided effortlessly beside me, even when fully loaded. No more wrestling with clunky wheels or throwing out my back trying to maneuver a heavy suitcase.

The handle further enhances overall mobility, offers a comfortable grip, and easily adjusts the height to suit individual preferences. It feels like this luggage is moving with you, not against you. The wide handle and overall lightweight design made weaving through crowds and dodging fellow passengers a breeze. 

And if you want to lift your luggage, the wide, easy-grab handles on the top and side make it grabbable and portable! When carried from the side, it really reflects the classic suitcase aesthetic, which I love. 

Is the LEVEL 8 luggage organized? 

As a frequent traveler, staying organized on the road is really important to me. The LEVEL8 luggage is spacious and has straps and an interior compression system that keeps your clothes wrinkle-free and everything in place. I love that my things don’t move out of place throughout the journey, especially as a digital nomad where every inch of space, and placement really counts.

One of my favorite aspects of the luggage is that it also has a really nifty dry-wet separation pocket, which provides a dedicated space to keep soiled items separate from clean belongings. This has been so helpful, as I used to have to carry a separate bag for wet and dirty items. The Voyageur set excels in this regard, offering an intelligent organization system that keeps your belongings neatly stowed and secure.

The interior layout of the checked luggage made unpacking a breeze. The compression straps kept everything secure during transit, and the organized compartments helped me find what I needed quickly. No more digging through a jumbled mess of clothes!

What truly sets the Voyageur apart is that it caters to diverse travel styles and preferences. LEVEL8 offers two distinct interior layout options, allowing you to choose the configuration that best suits your needs. Whether you prefer a streamlined, minimalist approach or a more compartmentalized setup, the Voyageur set delivers a personalized travel experience that revolves around your unique requirements. 

I personally went for the minimalist interior as I prefer to use my own packing cubes but I can see how the compartmentalized spaces would be very handy for people who don’t like packing cubes or want the next level or organization.

Here are some of my packing tips for your LEVEL8 luggage:

The LEVEL8 Voyageur Luggage’s design offers clever features that can be maximized with smart packing strategies. Here are some tips to get the most out of your Voyageur’s layout:

• Utilize the Compression System: Don’t underestimate the power of the built-in compression straps. Tighten them after packing to minimize wrinkles and maximize space, especially in the larger checked bag.
  
• Compartmentalize with Packing Cubes: The Voyageur’s spacious compartments are perfect for using packing cubes. Separate clothes by category (tops, bottoms, undergarments) for easy organization and quicker access.
  
• Maximize the Dry/Wet Separation Pocket: This ingenious pocket is a game-changer. It can store damp swimsuits, workout clothes, or even dirty laundry, keeping them isolated from clean items.
  
• Don’t Forget the Hidden Gems: The Voyageur’s thoughtful design includes smaller mesh pockets in the compartments. Use them to store delicate items like lingerie or socks or tuck away travel essentials like headphones or a sleep mask.
  
• Pack Shoes Strategically: Shoes can quickly eat up space. Use shoe bags to keep them dust-free and store them in the larger checked bag’s side compartment, away from your clothes.

By implementing these simple packing strategies, you can transform your LEVEL8 Voyageur Luggage into a well-organized haven for your belongings, ensuring a stress-free and efficient packing experience.

How secure is the Voyageur Luggage set?

Obviously, we all want our belongings to be as safe as possible. While nothing can stop our luggage from getting lost, a good suitcase can prevent things from getting damaged and anyone who shouldn’t be hurt. Traveling can be an adventure, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of compromised security. 

I’ve mentioned how solid and durable this suitcase is, but LEVEL8 also addresses security concerns with high-quality TSA-approved locks to provide a layer of protection for belongings. These locks secure your valuables and streamline the security screening process, ensuring a hassle-free journey through airports and other checkpoints.

Their range of vibrant colors and unique shape also means your luggage is less likely to get picked up by someone else because they’ve made sure that these cases stand out while remaining elegant.

You don’t have space for two Voyageur suitcases? No problem

LEVEL8 offers many different suitcase options, but I love the fact that you can bundle and save money with their sets. You get the convenience of a 20″ carry-on with the spaciousness of a larger checked bag (26″ or 28″), offering incredible value and versatility. But if you live in a small apartment without much storage, you may think that having two suitcases just isn’t practical. 

Thankfully, LEVEL8 has thought of that, too! The suitcases are designed to nest in each other, meaning the 20″ suitcase can fit snugly inside the larger bag, creating a compact and easily manageable travel solution.

The luggage’s nesting design immediately proved its worth when I arrived at my hotel. The smaller carry-on suitcase tucked neatly and easily inside, the larger checked bag, saving valuable space in my hotel room. This was especially helpful considering the limited storage space in many hotel rooms. This set simplifies travel and ensures that you arrive at your destination with everything you need without the hassle of dealing with excessive baggage.

Whether you’re a frequent traveler seeking convenience or a space-conscious individual looking to optimize storage, the LEVEL8 Voyageur Luggage Set’s nesting feature is a game-changer, offering a practical and innovative solution that simplifies every step of your journey.

Do LEVEL8 offer a warranty?

I only had great experiences interacting with their customer service and other reviews say the same. Because they test their luggage to such stringent standards, people generally don’t have problems. 

However, if a problem does occur and is caused by manufacturing defects in material or workmanship, LEVEL8 offers a lifetime warranty that covers any functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, or anything else that impairs your use of the luggage. Note, that this does not include misuse or general wear and tear.

Who shouldn’t buy this luggage?

While the LEVEL8 Voyageur set offers excellent value for frequent travelers who appreciate premium features, it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. 

Here are some considerations to make sure it’s right for you:

1. Casual travelers: If you only travel occasionally, the LEVEL8 Voyageur’s price point might not be what you’re looking for. More affordable luggage options are available for those with less frequent travel needs.
   
2. Budget-Conscious Travelers: LEVEL8 falls into the premium luggage category. Travelers on a tight budget might find other quality hard-shell suitcases at a lower price.
   
3. Minimalist Packers: The spacious interior of the larger Voyageur suitcase is great for long trips, but it might be overkill for minimal packers who travel light. Consider the size options available and choose one that best suits your packing style. The smallest size might be better suited to you, and you may want to purchase that one rather than the set. They also have a range of bags that may be even more suited to your travel style!

Final thoughts on LEVEL8 luggage

As a seasoned traveler, I have encountered my fair share of luggage, and the LEVEL8 has undoubtedly raised the bar. From its exceptional craftsmanship to thoughtful design elements, this collection embodies the perfect balance of style and functionality.

The attention to detail, both inside and out, is truly remarkable, and it’s evident that LEVEL8 has a deep understanding of the needs and desires of modern travelers.  Whether seeking a sleek and sophisticated travel companion or a practical and durable solution for your adventures, the Voyageur set delivers on all fronts.

Investing in quality luggage is an investment in your overall travel experience, and the Voyageur set is a testament to the fact that you don’t have to sacrifice style for practicality or vice versa. With its elegant appearance, effortless maneuverability, intelligent organization, and unwavering durability, this luggage set is poised to become a beloved companion for travelers of all kinds.

So, if you’re looking for stunning luggage that performs exceptionally, the LEVEL8 Voyageur Luggage Set should be at the top of your list. 

Thank you for reading this review of the LEVEL8 Voyageur Luggage Set. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

If you’re wondering where to take your new luggage sets, check out some of our travel guides below. Happy traveling!