Exploring Literature That Resonates with Existential Longing

There’s a specific feeling that often catches us off guard—a sensation that appears during mundane moments, like traffic jams on a Tuesday or the stillness of a late night. It’s not exactly sadness or restlessness; it feels deeper. It’s the sense that life has become a series of waiting rooms rather than the vibrant experiences we once envisioned. Between work commitments and daily chores, that original dream of a fulfilling life can seem obscured.

This sentiment is part of being human. It reflects our inherent desire for a life that feels richer, fuller, and more meaningful. In literature, many characters embody this craving for something beyond the ordinary, struggling in jobs that drain their spirit or within relationships that fail to satisfy. They grapple with questions like: “Is this all there is?” and “What if I want something I can’t even define?” These ten books dive deep into that aching contemplation, illustrating how longing for more is not a flaw but rather a sign of potential.

1. Nightshift by Kiare Ladner

Set against the backdrop of South Africa, Nightshift tells the story of a young woman working at a petrol station during the night. Here, she witnesses countless passersby while her own life feels stagnant. The novel artfully portrays themes of class, race, and gender in post-apartheid society, exposing the constraints surrounding its characters. As she dreams of education and freedom, her reality remains focused on survival. Ladner poignantly illustrates how seeing the vastness of the world can intensify the pain of feeling confined.

2. The Employees by Olga Ravn

In The Employees, crew members aboard a distant spaceship report on their dull routines. Some are human; some are humanoid. This blurring of identities leads to profound loneliness and an overwhelming yearning for meaning. The characters care for mysterious objects that evoke hidden memories, only to realize that their roles often strip away genuine emotions. Ravn invites readers to ponder whether fulfillment through work is achievable or merely a distraction from deeper desires.

3. My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley

Gwendoline Riley’s My Phantoms explores the complex relationship between a woman and her self-centered mother. Despite establishing a stable life with her partner, the protagonist finds it impossible to escape her mother’s emotional influence. Riley skillfully articulates the struggle between wanting distance and succumbing to guilt. The narrative captures the impact of familial bonds on personal happiness, echoing the struggle of wanting an alternative past while being unable to change it.

4. The Topeka School by Ben Lerner

Set in the 1990s, The Topeka School follows Adam Gordon, a teenage debate champion navigating the pressures of adolescence amidst the pressures of his parents’ professional lives. Lerner delves into themes of language and performance, emphasizing the emptiness behind success. Adam’s journey reveals the disconnect between achieving accolades and cultivating authentic connections, leading to the realization that verbal prowess doesn’t equate to true fulfillment.

5. The Visiting Privilege by Joy Williams

Joy Williams’ collection, The Visiting Privilege, spans decades of short stories filled with characters who linger on the fringes of daily life. Their strangeness and confusion reflect a deep yearning for meaning. With dark humor and existential undertones, these narratives touch on the absurdity of existence, leaving readers to navigate the complexities of awareness in a seemingly indifferent world.

6. Outline of My Lover by Douglas A. Martin

In Outline of My Lover, Douglas A. Martin crafts a bittersweet reflection on a past relationship. Utilizing fragmented poetic language, he explores the painful memories tied to unrequited love, raising questions about authenticity in recollection. The protagonist’s quest for understanding highlights the complex emotions surrounding love and loss, shedding light on the human inclination to weave meaning from fragmented experiences.

7. Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers

Clare Chambers’ Small Pleasures depicts journalist Jean Swinburne grappling with her quiet life in 1950s London. As she investigates a claim of virgin birth, she confronts her own compromised dreams. Chambers beautifully illustrates a woman who feels trapped by societal expectations, capturing the melancholy of realizing that desires postponed can lead to regret.

8. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli

Lost Children Archive details a family road trip from New York to Arizona, revealing the unraveling of the parents’ relationship alongside a pressing humanitarian crisis involving migrant children. Luiselli weaves a narrative exploring memory, documentation, and the conflict between personal and global responsibilities. The parents’ quest for meaning intertwines with the disconnection brewing within the family dynamic.

9. All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami

In All the Lovers in the Night, a freelance proofreader in Tokyo navigates her isolating routine, representing the intricate balance between safety and loneliness. Kawakami illuminates the protagonist’s struggle to confront her profound solitude while slowly forming connections. This poignant narrative captures the fears and challenges that come with seeking both community and self-discovery.

10. A Life’s Work: On Becoming a Mother by Rachel Cusk

Rachel Cusk’s A Life’s Work candidly discusses the complexities of motherhood. Rejecting idealized narratives, Cusk portrays the intense exhaustion, loss of identity, and ambivalence new mothers often experience. This exploration of the conflicting emotions that accompany motherhood delivers a raw depiction of loving one’s child while yearning for the freedom of pre-motherhood life.

Final Thoughts on Literary Longing

These powerful narratives delve into the intricate feelings of yearning for more, resonating with readers who find themselves grappling with similar questions. The characters in these stories may not have all the answers, but they embody the journey of seeking meaning amid life’s complexities, encouraging us to embrace our own quests for fulfillment.