What Are Books Similar To 'How To Be Both'?

2026-03-10 12:49:30
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5 Answers

Jace
Jace
Favorite read: Between Two Worlds
Honest Reviewer Police Officer
'How to Be Both' is such a gem—its blend of art, history, and duality makes it hard to find perfect matches, but here are some close contenders. 'The Flamethrowers' by Rachel Kushner has a similar vibrancy, mixing art and politics with a nonlinear narrative that feels alive. Or try 'The Overstory' by Richard Powers if you want another book that weaves seemingly disconnected threads into something profound. Both have that 'aha' moment where everything clicks.
2026-03-11 04:02:10
23
Mila
Mila
Favorite read: The Other Half
Reviewer Chef
I’d toss 'The Stone Gods' by Jeanette Winterson into the mix—it’s a sci-fi-ish, philosophical ride with repeating cycles of history and humanity, echoing Smith’s themes of duality. Winterson’s prose is sharp and poetic, and like 'How to Be Both,' it leaves you with this lingering sense of how stories shape us. Also, 'A Visit from the Goon Squad' by Jennifer Egan for its fragmented, genre-defying structure.
2026-03-11 18:37:57
15
Sharp Observer Photographer
For readers drawn to 'How to Be Both''s playful yet deep exploration of identity, 'Orlando' by Virginia Woolf is a must. It’s a gender-bending, time-traveling romp through history, written with Woolf’s signature wit and lyrical brilliance. Like Smith’s work, it refuses to be pinned down to one genre or era, and it leaves you questioning boundaries long after the last page.
2026-03-14 20:45:18
10
Abigail
Abigail
Favorite read: Two Hearts, One Soul
Careful Explainer UX Designer
Ali Smith’s work is so unique, but if you’re after books that bend form and content, 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski might intrigue you. It’s a labyrinth of a novel—literally, with footnotes, mirrored text, and layers of narrative that make you work for the story. It’s not historical like 'How to Be Both,' but it shares that same daring spirit. Another offbeat recommendation: 'If on a winter’s night a traveler' by Italo Calvino, which is a love letter to storytelling itself, full of meta twists and turns.
2026-03-15 07:32:15
3
Rachel
Rachel
Favorite read: They Both Wanted Me
Library Roamer Photographer
If you loved 'How to Be Both' for its experimental structure and dual narratives, you might enjoy 'Cloud Atlas' by David Mitchell. It's a masterpiece of interwoven stories spanning centuries, each with its own distinct voice and style, much like Ali Smith's work. 'Cloud Atlas' challenges linear storytelling, making you piece together connections across time—just as 'How to Be Both' does with its mirrored narratives.

Another great pick is 'The Blind Assassin' by Margaret Atwood. It layers a novel within a novel, blending genres and timelines in a way that feels both mysterious and deeply personal. Atwood’s knack for unreliable narration and rich historical detail reminds me of Smith’s playful yet profound approach. For something more contemporary, 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders offers a surreal, multi-perspective exploration of grief and existence, with a stylistic boldness that fans of experimental fiction will appreciate.
2026-03-16 16:45:27
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