You will be scared. But you won’t know why… I’m thinking of ending things. Once this thought arrives, it stays. It’s always there. Always. Jake and I have a real connection, a rare and intense attachment. What has it been...a month? I’m very attracted to him. Even though he isn’t striking, not really. I’m going to meet his parents for the first time, at the same time as I’m thinking of ending things. Jake once said, “Sometimes a thought is closer to truth, to reality, than an action. You can say anything, you can do anything, but you can’t fake a thought.” And here’s what I’m thinking: I don’t want to be here. I’m thinking of ending things. Iain Reid explores the depths of the human psyche, questioning consciousness, free will, the value of relationships, fear, and the limitations of solitude. Reminiscent of José Saramago’s early work, Michel Faber’s cult classic Under the Skin, and Lionel Shriver’s We Need to Talk About Kevin, this tense and atmospheric novel will haunt you long after the last page is turned.

Average Rating
Informations
About the author
Iain Reid
Author
Iain Reid is a Canadian writer. Winner of the RBC Taylor Emerging Writer Award in 2015, Reid is the author of I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2016) and Foe (2018).
I'm Thinking of Ending Things
by Iain Reid
Books Like I'm Thinking of Ending Things
If you're looking for books similar to I'm Thinking of Ending Things, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
The Stranger
Albert Camus
A philosophical novel exploring existential alienation and psychological detachment. The protagonist's emotional disconnection challenges traditional moral understanding. It delves into themes of absurdism, consciousness, and the human condition.
Kafka on the Shore
Haruki Murakami
A metaphysical novel blending psychological exploration with magical realism. The narrative follows two interconnected storylines that challenge linear reality. It explores consciousness, identity, and psychological boundaries.
Under the Skin
Michel Faber
A haunting psychological thriller about an alien predator disguised as a human female. The novel explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the blurred lines between humanity and otherness. It delves deep into psychological manipulation and existential dread. The narrative challenges readers' perceptions of reality and identity.
Pale Fire
Vladimir Nabokov
An experimental novel that challenges narrative reliability and psychological perception. The book presents a complex interaction between a poem and its increasingly unreliable commentary. It explores themes of identity, interpretation, and psychological fragmentation.
Solaris
Stanislaw Lem
A philosophical science fiction novel exploring psychological encounters with an incomprehensible alien intelligence. The narrative challenges human understanding of consciousness and perception. It delves into psychological and existential themes.
House of Leaves
Mark Z. Danielewski
An experimental novel that defies traditional narrative structure, exploring psychological horror and spatial disorientation. The story centers on a house that is larger on the inside than the outside, creating a sense of existential unease. It challenges readers' perceptions of reality and narrative conventions.
The Vegetarian
Han Kang
A psychological novel exploring mental breakdown and societal expectations. The protagonist's radical decision to become vegetarian triggers a series of psychological transformations. It examines identity, bodily autonomy, and psychological rebellion.
The Hearing Trumpet
Leonora Carrington
A surreal novel exploring psychological transformation and alternative reality. An elderly woman's experiences in a bizarre retirement home challenge traditional narrative expectations. It blends psychological exploration with magical realism.
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Lionel Shriver
A chilling exploration of maternal ambivalence and the nature of evil through a mother's perspective after her son commits a school massacre. The book examines psychological complexity, maternal instinct, and the potential darkness within human relationships. It offers a deeply unsettling look at family dynamics and psychological trauma.
Remainder
Tom McCarthy
A surreal exploration of memory, trauma, and psychological reconstruction. The protagonist becomes obsessed with recreating precise moments from his past. It challenges perceptions of reality and psychological authenticity.
The Silent Patient
Alex Michaelides
A psychological thriller about a woman who stops speaking after murdering her husband. The novel explores psychological trauma, perception, and therapeutic relationships. It creates a complex narrative of psychological mystery.
Bird Box
Josh Malerman
A post-apocalyptic psychological horror about an unseen threat that drives people to madness. The novel explores survival, perception, and psychological resilience. It creates a profound sense of existential dread and uncertainty.
Intensity
Dean Koontz
A psychological thriller following a young woman's terrifying encounter with a serial killer. The novel explores themes of survival, psychological manipulation, and the depths of human darkness. It creates a relentless sense of tension and psychological introspection.
No account connected — sign in to comment.
