10 Surreal Books That Feel Like a Dream

Published by Likewise | Mar 12, 2025 A deep dive into ten captivating books that blur the lines between reality and dream, filled with enchanting stories and extraordinary worlds.

Piranesi

New York Times Bestseller and Winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction, Piranesi is an intoxicating narrative by the author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Set in a dreamlike alternative reality, the story unfolds within an echoing labyrinth whose walls are adorned with statues and filled with the crashing waves of an ocean. Piranesi, the protagonist, freely roams his surreal home while unraveling the mystery of another inhabitant known only as The Other. This tale draws readers into an astonishing new world, making them question the very nature of reality. Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Madeline Miller, it promises to bewitch its audience.

The Night Circus

A masterful New York Times Bestseller, The Night Circus is a novel that intertwines magic and love. Within its enchanting black-and-white striped tents, two young magicians, Celia and Marco, engage in a ruthless competition that thickens with romantic tension. This enchanting narrative unfolds with breathtaking amazements under the cover of night, creating a unique experience that ensnares readers. As the stakes escalate, the lives of all entangled in this magical world hang precariously in the balance.

The Street of Crocodiles

The Street of Crocodiles, written by acclaimed author Bruno Schulz, transports readers to a street filled with nostalgia and dreams in the city of Drogobych, Poland. This collection evokes the eerie life of a merchant family, particularly focusing on the chilling figure of the author's father. Schulz’s vivid imagery and unique storytelling combine the real with the fantastic, allowing readers to explore the complexities of memory and loss in this haunting narrative.

Antkind

In Antkind, Oscar-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman's bold literary debut, readers are introduced to B. Rosenberger Rosenberg, a neurotic film critic who stumbles upon a monumental stop-motion film that becomes his obsession. Lost to disaster, his quest to recollect the film leads him through the absurdities of contemporary culture, exploring deep themes on art, identity, and the nature of existence. A riotously funny and surreal tale, it challenges the boundaries of traditional narrative.

The Buried Giant

From Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro, The Buried Giant explores themes of memory, forgetfulness, and the essence of love. Set in post-Arthurian Britain, the plot follows an elderly couple, Axl and Beatrice, as they journey to find their estranged son amid widespread amnesia across the land. This blend of fantasy and stark reality examines the repercussions of collective forgetting and the nature of memory, leaving readers to ponder the shadows of their own pasts.

The Mirror in the Mirror

The Mirror in the Mirror by Michael Ende invites readers into an intricate labyrinth of fantastic stories. This narrative almost serves as a self-reflective experience, where the reader's interpretation shapes the journey. Offering both whimsical imagery and profound philosophical reflections, Ende deftly illustrates the complexities of dreams and reality. The questions posed within the text compel readers to confront their perceptions and the narratives they weave.

Hollow

In Hollow, readers are swept away on an epic journey alongside Barry Follett and a group of mercenaries tasked with protecting a divine oracle amidst chaos. As they navigate a treacherous landscape filled with fantastical beings, themes of power and belief emerge. The narrative seamlessly integrates action with profound philosophical explorations, engaging readers in a riveting tale of survival and purpose.

Bunny

Described as a whirlwind of dark humor and creativity, Bunny by Mona Awad tackles themes of friendship and the art of writing. Samantha, an outsider in her MFA program, finds herself inexplicably drawn to an exclusive group known as the Bunnies, whose enchanting yet sinister world blurs the lines between reality and imagination. This captivating narrative, filled with wit and charm, explores the complexity of artistic ambition.

Dhalgren

Dhalgren, a revered work by Samuel R. Delany, explores the unravelling reality of an apocalypse-worn town called Bellona. The narrative follows a young man known only as the Kid, who navigates a world rife with existential angst and fractured identity. Delany's unique blend of stylistic complexity challenges readers to ponder race, sexuality, and the essence of self while immersing them in the profound strangeness of urban chaos. This groundbreaking novel remains pivotal in the genre of speculative fiction.

The Prison of Freedom

The Prison of Freedom comprises eight enchanting stories by the fantastic storyteller Michael Ende. Through whimsical narratives filled with adventure and introspection, Ende captivates readers, opening doorways to wondrous places that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Adeptly communicating themes of wonder and exploration, this collection beckons readers to embark on a journey inward, challenging their perceptions of freedom and the imagination.