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UnderratedReads is devoted to discovering underrated books and under-represented authors. We highlight hidden gems from around the world–honest reviews only, never pay-to-play.
Category Archives: Modern Literary Fiction
Nobody Is Ever Missing – Catherine Lacey
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “I was beginning to realize that what I wanted was the noise of people living near me, but not near enough to cause any inaudible noises to show up because I knew that those sorts of … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged fiction, New Zealand
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The Vices – Lawrence Douglas
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “It would be years before I would be prepared to accept his self-assessment [as a sick person], and even then, not fully. …he was handsome, wealthy, the youngest tenured professor at one of the nation’s … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged family, lies, mystery, Religion
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The Confessions of Frances Godwin – Robert Hellenga
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “My life doesn’t add up to anything, Father. More like the story of Troy—all in a day’s work—than Rome, going in circles instead of moving forward. I’ve worn out all the roles I used to play—daughter, … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
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Rockaway – Tara Ison
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “…the relationship of note to note, that’s what music is, we should have been listening to music in all those art classes, trying to grasp color, refraction, translucence, perspective, the illusion of depth…” It also occurred to … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
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Nochita – Dia Felix
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “I am feeling the burning comet feeling again and I want to run out of the house and keep running for hours. Or stomp the glass coffee table and shatter it and shoot beams of blood … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
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Errata – Michael Allen Zell
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “New Orleans seems to exist as a blank slate for outsiders to grasp and cast their own aspirations, pretenses, and prejudices upon. A few of the outsiders always end up lingering, holding fast, and adding to … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Modern Literary Fiction, Reviewers' Top Picks
Tagged book reviews, mystery, New Orleans, noir
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Crossroads: A Camino Tale – F. R. Merrill
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “As they stood before a large stone crucifix of the body of Christ carved in a three-dimensional form she pulled out her syringe. When she moved toward Amanda to complete the deed, her sister Margie stepped … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction, Travel
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Soy Sauce for Beginners – Kirstin Chen
(Reviewed by JD Jung) One pushed me to return to America, the other urged me to pull out the knife, let the wound heal, and remain in Singapore. But I was done choosing sides, pleasing one over the other. From … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Modern Literary Fiction, Travel
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