Books Like Open City

Books that share the category and the themes of Open City. If you enjoyed it, start with these summaries.

20 books · Fiction

If you liked

Cover of Open City

Open City

Teju Cole

~4 h 40 min book2011

Explore Teju Cole's 'Open City', a lyrical novel about identity, migration, and urban life through the eyes of a Nigerian-German psychiatrist.

Read summary

Read these next

  1. Cover of FRANGIPANI HOUSE1

    FRANGIPANI HOUSE

    BERYL GILROY

    ~2 h 40 min book1986

    Explore Beryl Gilroy's 'Frangipani House,' a touching tale of identity, family, and Caribbean heritage set in the 1950s.

    Read summary
  2. Cover of 10 minutes and 38 seconds in this strange world2

    10 minutes and 38 seconds in this strange world

    Elif Shafak

    2019

    Dive into '10 Minutes and 38 Seconds' as Tequila Leila's memories reveal the struggles of identity, friendship, and societal issues in Istanbul.

    Read summary
  3. 3

    Grace Land

    Chris Abani

    ~3 h 20 min book

    Explore Chris Abani's 'GraceLand', a coming-of-age tale of Elvis, a boy chasing rock star dreams amidst Nigeria's 1980s turmoil.

    Read summary
  4. 4

    Be Careful He Might Hear You

    Summer Locke Elliot

    ~4 h 30 min book

    Discover the poignant story of PS in 1930s Sydney, exploring family, identity, and the quest for acceptance in Sumner Locke Elliott's touching novel.

    Read summary
  5. Cover of Travellers5

    Travellers

    Helon Habila

    ~5 h book2019

    Explore migration and identity in Helon Habila's 'Travellers', a powerful novel set in Africa and Europe that captures the essence of belonging.

    Read summary
  6. 6

    Encountering Riel

    David Orr

    ~5 h book2017

    Explore David Orr's insightful look at Louis Riel's life and impact on Métis rights in Canada. A must-read for history enthusiasts!

    Read summary
  7. Cover of five little indians7

    five little indians

    michelle good

    2020

    Discover Michelle Good's powerful novel about five Indigenous children overcoming trauma from residential schools in Canada.

    Read summary
  8. 8

    L’après

    Émilie Ouellette

    ~3 h 30 min book

    Explore resilience and healing in 'L’après' as friends confront grief and loss after a shared tragedy. A poignant journey of recovery.

    Read summary
  9. Cover of The Song of Achilles9

    The Song of Achilles

    Madeline Miller

    4.3(139)~6 h 40 min book2011

    Discover the passionate romance of Achilles and Patroclus in Madeline Miller's reimagining of Greek mythology set during the Trojan War.

    Read summary
  10. Cover of The Nickel Boys10

    The Nickel Boys

    Colson Whitehead

    4.4(13)~4 h book2019

    Discover Colson Whitehead's powerful novel about two boys facing the brutal realities of a 1960s reform school in Florida.

    Read summary
  11. Cover of demon copperhead11

    demon copperhead

    barbara kingsolver

    ~11 h 20 min book2022

    Explore Barbara Kingsolver's 'Demon Copperhead,' a powerful novel inspired by Dickens, tackling love and systemic challenges in Appalachia.

    Read summary
  12. Cover of the cellist of sarajevo12

    the cellist of sarajevo

    Steven Galloway

    ~3 h 20 min book2008

    Explore Steven Galloway's poignant tale of resilience during the Siege of Sarajevo, where music becomes a symbol of hope in despair.

    Read summary
  13. Cover of bog child13

    bog child

    siobhan dowd

    ~5 h book2008

    Explore Siobhan Dowd's 'Bog Child,' a gripping tale of self-discovery set in 1980s Northern Ireland amidst the Troubles.

    Read summary
  14. 14

    Americanah

    Chimamanda Ngozi

    ~9 h book

    Explore Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 'Americanah,' a powerful tale of love, race, and the immigrant experience across cultures.

    Read summary
  15. 15

    Eze Oche Abaghi

    Chuks F. Demson

    ~5 h book

    Explore governance and relationships in the Igbo community through Eze Oche's life in 'The Unruly King' by Chuks F. Demson.

    Read summary
  16. 16

    La fille seule dans le vestiair des garcons

    ~3 h 30 min book

    Discover Léa's poignant journey of self-acceptance in a male-dominated school. Explore themes of adolescence, gender identity, and belonging.

    Read summary
  17. 17

    Imijelo Yegazi

    Zanemvula S Zotwana

    ~5 h book

    Explore identity and heritage in post-apartheid South Africa through Zanemvula S Zotwana's compelling narrative in 'Imijelo Yegazi'.

    Read summary
  18. 18

    Beautiful Lives

    Catherine Davey

    ~7 h book

    Explore the interconnected lives in 'Beautiful Lives' by Catherine Davey, a touching tale of relationships, struggles, and the pursuit of happiness.

    Read summary
  19. 19

    my twisted world

    elliot rodger

    ~3 h 50 min book

    Explore Elliot Rodger's chilling manifesto, revealing his isolation, misogyny, and mental struggles leading to the Isla Vista tragedy.

    Read summary
  20. 20

    the cellist of summart

    ~4 h 30 min book

    Discover 'The Cellist of Summart,' a moving tale of resilience and the transformative power of music in a war-torn world.

    Read summary

Ratings are Open Library reader averages, shown for books with at least 10 ratings. Lists are rebuilt automatically as new summaries are published.