7 Underrated Books That Deserve More Attention

In the vast sea of literary publications, many remarkable books slip through the cracks of mainstream popularity. Overshadowed by bestseller lists and media hype, these underrated gems often go unnoticed by the general reading public. Below is a list of 7 underrated books that deserve more attention, showcasing literary brilliance, emotional depth, and timeless relevance. Each of these works offers something profound and unique, promising to linger in the minds of readers long after the final page.

1. The Wall by Marlen Haushofer

With only a dog, a cat, and a cow for companionship, she must learn to endure the brutal solitude of nature. The novel becomes a deeply feminist meditation on resilience, self-sufficiency, and ecological interconnectedness. Haushofer’s clean, spare prose mirrors the starkness of her protagonist’s reality, and the novel slowly transforms from dystopian fiction into a spiritual journey. Despite its brilliance, it has been largely neglected outside German-speaking circles.

2. Ice by Anna Kavan

In Ice, Anna Kavan constructs a surreal, apocalyptic world blanketed by an encroaching wall of ice, blending dream logic with political anxiety. The novel reads like a series of feverish hallucinations, as an unnamed narrator obsessively pursues a mysterious woman through shifting, unstable landscapes. Though classified as science fiction, Ice defies genre: it’s part psychological thriller, part existential allegory. Its themes—control, obsession, climate catastrophe, and war—feel eerily prescient. Kavan’s icy, crystalline prose mirrors the barren landscapes she conjures, creating an atmosphere of haunting, numbing beauty. Ice is a visionary work that pushes the boundaries of narrative and reality.

3. The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro

Set in an unnamed Central European city, the novel follows pianist Ryder as he navigates a series of bizarre, Kafkaesque events while preparing for an important performance. Its sprawling structure and disorienting narrative mimic the workings of memory and subconscious thought. Though challenging, it is deeply rewarding for readers willing to surrender to its logic. Underrecognized compared to The Remains of the Day, this novel showcases Ishiguro’s brilliant command of atmosphere and the fragility of identity.

4. The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington

A fantastical feminist satire, The Hearing Trumpet follows 92-year-old Marian Leatherby, who is sent to a bizarre retirement home, only to uncover secrets that lead her on an epic journey of alchemy, apocalypse, and personal transformation. Written by surrealist artist and writer Leonora Carrington, the novel is wildly imaginative, laced with absurd humor, myth, and social critique. It defies genre boundaries and aging conventions alike. Bursting with subversive energy, The Hearing Trumpet is a celebration of the eccentric, the elderly, and the radical power of imagination. Though a cult favorite, it deserves far wider literary recognition.

5. The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard

A stunning, intricately crafted novel of love, deception, and fate, The Transit of Venus follows the lives of two orphaned Australian sisters who emigrate to postwar England. Hazzard’s prose is luminous, dense with emotional precision and intellectual rigor, demanding slow, thoughtful reading. Through decades of longing, missed opportunities, and philosophical musings, she examines the chasm between perception and reality. With its layered timelines and literary allusions, this novel rewards careful attention. Despite being a National Book Critics Circle Award winner, it remains underread. The Transit of Venus is an enduring reminder of fiction’s capacity to express the complexities of the heart.

6. Engine Summer by John Crowley

Set in a distant post-apocalyptic future, Engine Summer narrates the life of Rush That Speaks, a young man journeying through a peaceful society built on memories and storytelling. Unlike typical dystopias, this world is lush, slow-moving, and gentle, where truth is relative and identity mutable. Crowley’s lyrical prose turns each page into a philosophical meditation. The novel’s structure—layered, circular, and mysterious—invites readers to contemplate memory, truth, and the act of storytelling itself. Though overshadowed by his more famous work Little, Big, Engine Summer stands as one of the most beautifully written science fiction novels ever penned. A true literary artifact.

7. The Book of Disquiet by Fernando Pessoa

This haunting, fragmented masterpiece offers a deep dive into the existential musings of Bernardo Soares, one of Pessoa’s many literary personas. The Book of Disquiet defies traditional narrative, consisting instead of aphorisms, diary entries, and poetic reflections. Its themes—isolation, dreams, identity, disillusionment—resonate with startling clarity in today’s world. Pessoa's prose is introspective, philosophical, and achingly beautiful, making the reader feel both seen and unsettled. It’s not a book to read once, but to revisit throughout life. Despite its modernist brilliance, it remains a hidden gem—a companion for thinkers, wanderers, and all who feel deeply estranged from ordinary life.

Conclusion

Exploring underrated books is not merely an act of contrarianism—it is a journey into the forgotten corners of literary brilliance. These seven selections are not just books that deserve more attention—they are books that, once read, become permanent fixtures in the reader’s psyche. By elevating these works, we don't just expand our reading horizons; we honor the diversity and richness of global literary heritage.