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by Elif Batuman
Either/or picks up with Selin, fresh off her bewildering first love in Hungary, returning to Harvard for her sophomore year. She's still trying to make sense of everything – language, love, literature, and what it means to be a person – through her incredibly sharp, often hilarious internal monologue. This isn't a book with a fast-paced plot; instead, you get to live inside Selin's head as she dissects every interaction, every email, every philosophical concept she encounters. It's deeply reflective and wonderfully witty, full of the kind of awkward, profound humor that comes from overthinking absolutely everything. If you love a novel driven by an intelligent, introspective voice, enjoy philosophical tangents, and appreciate the messy, uncertain journey of coming of age, you'll find a kindred spirit in Selin.
For those who cherished Selin's unique voice and the journey of self-discovery in Either/or, we've curated a list of books that resonate deeply. If you appreciate a highly introspective protagonist grappling with big ideas in an academic setting, you'll find similar intellectual companions here. These recommendations all share that distinct blend of dry humor, philosophical inquiry, and the often-awkward navigation of young adulthood and identity, ensuring you'll continue to ponder life's complexities long after the last page.
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by Elif Batuman
As the direct predecessor to Either/Or, this novel introduces Selin and her idiosyncratic worldview. It establishes the same intellectual rigor, dry humor, and preoccupation with linguistics and literature that define the sequel.
by Sally Rooney
Like Batuman, Rooney explores the intense intellectual and emotional connection between university students. It captures the same sense of navigating adulthood and the complex power dynamics inherent in young romance.
by Sylvia Plath
This classic shares the internal, highly observant narrative voice of a young woman struggling to find her place in a world of rigid expectations. It mirrors Selin's existential questioning and her sharp, often cynical social observations.
by Naoise Dolan
This novel features a highly cerebral, linguistically-focused protagonist who analyzes her relationships through a dry, detached lens. Fans of Selin's witty internal monologue and preoccupation with grammar will find a kindred spirit here.
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While darker in tone, this book shares the 'campus novel' adjacent feeling of a young woman attempting to opt out of traditional societal structures. It captures a similar sense of alienation and intellectual detachment.
by Donna Tartt
For readers who enjoyed the academic setting and the intense focus on classical literature and philosophy in Either/Or, this novel offers a more suspenseful but equally intellectual campus experience.
This novel provides a deeply contemplative look at the graduate school experience, focusing on the intersections of academic life, personal trauma, and social identity. It matches Batuman's slow-paced, observational style.
Lockwood's prose is as sharp and innovative as Batuman's, blending humor with deep philosophical inquiry. It captures the modern experience of living through language and the internet with a similar intellectual curiosity.
by Sally Rooney
This debut novel focuses on the intellectual and romantic entanglements of two college students. It shares the same 'vibe' of young people trying to live according to their theories and ideals while facing reality.
Set in a university in the 1980s, this book explicitly deals with semiotics, literary theory, and the way books shape our understanding of love. It is a perfect thematic match for Selin's journey through literature and life.
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