Prepare to plunge into the raw and unfiltered world of literature with our carefully curated list of 11 brutally honest books like Diary of an Oxygen Thief. If you’ve been drawn to the unapologetic and candid storytelling within its pages, you’re in for a thought-provoking journey. From brutally honest confessions to unflinching explorations of human nature, these handpicked selections promise to challenge your perceptions and push the boundaries of conventional storytelling.
Books like Diary of an Oxygen Thief
Chameleon in a Candy Store (2014)
by Anonymous
The first book in the list is, as could’ve been easily foreseen, is the sequel of ‘Diary of an Oxygen Thief.’ Also aimed at mature readers, ‘Chameleon in a Candy Store’ is told from a first-person perspective.
Written in a confessional style, the book follows the life of the protagonist, who remains nameless, as he navigates through a world of deceit, self-destructive behaviour, and emotional manipulation.
After overcoming alcohol addiction, the protagonist moves to New York City in search of a fresh start. He finds a job at a trendy advertising agency, where he becomes known for his charm and charisma, allowing him to effortlessly blend in with his surroundings like a chameleon. However, beneath his attractive facade lies a person fuelled by a desire for power and a relentless need for control.
Throughout the novel, the anonymous narrator recounts his various sexual conquests and emotionally damaging relationships, using others as pawns in his manipulative games. As he indulges in his hedonistic lifestyle, he grapples with the consequences of his actions and the realization that his past actions continue to haunt him.
Total Pages– 208 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 3.34
Amazon Rating– 4.7
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 6 hours and 56 minutes to finish Chameleon in a Candy Store by Anonymous.
My Dark Vanessa (2020)
by Kate Elizabeth Russell
‘My Dark Vanessa’ focuses on sexual abuse and its psychological impacts and features a deeply flawed and complex protagonist, just like ‘Diary of an Oxygen Thief.’
This novel explores the complex and disturbing relationship between a vulnerable young girl and her manipulative, predatory teacher.
The story follows Vanessa Wye, who, as a 15-year-old student at an elite boarding school, becomes involved in a sexual relationship with her English teacher, Jacob Strane. Despite the age difference and the obvious abuse of power, Vanessa is convinced she is in love with Strane and believes their relationship is special and consensual.
As the narrative alternates between the past and present, Vanessa, now in her thirties, is forced to confront the truth about her past and the impact it has had on her life. When allegations of sexual abuse against Strane resurface, Vanessa must grapple with her deeply ingrained beliefs about their relationship, her identity, and the consequences of denial.
‘My Dark Vanessa’ is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged exploration of the complexities of abuse, power dynamics, and the long-lasting effects of trauma on an individual’s psyche.
Total Pages– 373pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 4.09
Amazon Rating– 4.3
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 12 hours and 26 minutes to finish My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell.
Tampa (2013)
by Alissa Nutting
The story revolves around Celeste Price, a beautiful and manipulative 26-year-old middle school teacher who becomes obsessed with seducing her 14-year-old male students.
Celeste is portrayed as a classic psychopath who uses her charm and wit to manipulate everyone around her, including her husband. Behind her façade of normalcy lies a disturbing and predatory desire for young boys, and she cunningly engineers situations to groom and exploit her targets.
Throughout the novel, Nutting delves into the dark and uncomfortable territory of paedophilia, presenting the story from Celeste’s perspective. This narrative choice challenges readers to confront their discomfort and grapple with the complexity of the human psyche.
“Tampa” has been both praised for its daring and thought-provoking exploration of taboo subjects and criticized for its explicit content and disturbing themes. It is a confronting and unsettling novel that seeks to shed light on the darker aspects of human behaviour and the dangerous power dynamics that can occur in positions of authority.
Total Pages– 272 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 3.42
Amazon Rating– 3.6
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 9 hours and 4 minutes to finish Tampa by Alissa Nutting.
Lolita (1955)
by Vladimir Nabokov
‘Lolita’ is a must-read for all those who liked reading ‘Diary of an Oxygen Thief.’ A controversial and acclaimed novel that tells the disturbing story of Humbert Humbert, a middle-aged literary scholar, ‘Lolita’ is presented as Humbert’s memoir, where he chronicles his obsession with a 12-year-old girl named Dolores Haze, whom he refers to as “Lolita.”
After becoming the stepfather of Dolores, whom he calls Lolita, Humbert becomes infatuated with her beauty and youth. He manipulates her mother, Charlotte, into leaving town so he can have the girl to himself. Over time, Humbert and Lolita embark on a cross-country journey, during which their relationship takes on an increasingly disturbing and exploitative nature. The novel delves into Humbert’s internal struggle between his love and desire for Lolita and the realization that his actions are morally reprehensible.
Throughout the narrative, Nabokov’s writing is deeply complex and richly textured, blending poetic language with a chilling exploration of the darker aspects of human nature.
Total Pages– 368 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 3.88
Amazon Rating– 4.3
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 12 hours and 16 minutes to finish Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov.
No Longer Human (1948)
by Osamu Dazai
The story follows Yozo Oba, a troubled and deeply alienated young man, who grapples with a profound sense of emptiness and a relentless inability to fit into society. He constantly wears a facade of cheerfulness to hide his true emotions, leading a life of self-destructive behaviour and failed relationships.
As Yozo navigates through various social circles, he finds himself incapable of forming genuine connections with others, always feeling like an outsider. His attempts to find solace through art, literature, and romantic entanglements end in disappointment and despair.
The novel is structured as Yozo’s journal, offering an intimate insight into his tormented psyche. Through his raw and confessional writing, Yozo chronicles his downward spiral into self-loathing and self-destructiveness, ultimately questioning his own humanity.
Total Pages– 177 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 4.02
Amazon Rating– 4.7
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 5 hours and 54 minutes to finish No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai.
Boy Parts (2020)
by Eliza Clark
Similarly to ‘Diary of an Oxygen Thief,’ this novel deals with a provocative subject matter. In ‘Boy Parts,’ the story unfolds through a series of interconnected and sometimes disturbing photographs taken by the protagonist. It is a dark debut novel that delves into the unsettling world of contemporary art and female sexuality. The story follows Irina, a young and enigmatic photographer in her twenties, who navigates the fringes of the art scene in Newcastle, UK.
Struggling to make a living, Irina accepts commissions to photograph men, capturing their essence through raw and confrontational portraits. Her work blurs the line between art and pornography, challenging societal norms and expectations. As her provocative images gain attention and controversy, she becomes entangled with various individuals, each with their own secrets and desires.
Irina’s journey takes a twisted turn when she becomes involved with a wealthy, older art collector named Sven. Their tumultuous relationship further blurs the boundaries between art, power, and exploitation. As Irina becomes increasingly immersed in this world, she must confront the darker aspects of her own psyche and the consequences of pushing the limits of her artistic expression.
Total Pages– 304 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 3.81
Amazon Rating– 3.9
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 10 hours and 8 minutes to finish Boy Parts by Eliza Clark.
Written on the Body (1992)
by Jeanette Winterson
Told through a fragmented and poetic narrative, the unnamed narrator of ‘Written on the Body’ reflects on their passionate love affair with Louise, a married woman, as they navigate the boundaries of gender, sexuality, and emotional vulnerability.
The novel beautifully delves into the intensity and euphoria of love, tracing the narrator’s all-consuming obsession with Louise. Winterson’s poetic prose vividly describes the physical and emotional aspects of desire, portraying love as both a source of profound joy and profound pain.
The narrator’s gender remains undisclosed, adding a layer of mystery and universality to their experience of love. As the affair unfolds, the narrative explores the imperfections and vulnerabilities that come with human connections, and the reader witnesses the intricate ways love intertwines with loss and longing.
Total Pages– 190 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 4.07
Amazon Rating– 4.3
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 6 hours and 20 minutes to finish Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson.
Notes on a Scandal (2003)
by Zoe Heller
‘Notes on a Scandal’ is a psychological thriller cantered around the complex relationship between two teachers at a London school. Barbara Covett, an elderly and lonely history teacher, becomes infatuated with Sheba Hart, a young and beautiful art teacher who begins an affair with a fifteen-year-old student.
Barbara, who keeps a detailed journal documenting her thoughts and observations, becomes both Sheba’s confidante and manipulator. As she uncovers Sheba’s illicit affair, Barbara sees an opportunity to gain control over her life and become indispensable to Sheba. She uses the knowledge of the affair as a means to keep Sheba under her influence.
As their relationship deepens, the power dynamics between the two women shift, leading to a web of deceit, jealousy, and betrayal. The story unfolds through Barbara’s journal entries, revealing her cunning and calculating nature, as well as her skewed perception of reality.
Total Pages– 258 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 3.73
Amazon Rating– 4.0
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 8 hours and 36 minutes to finish Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller.
The End of Alice (1996)
by A M Homes
This one is also a disturbing and provocative novel that delves into the dark recesses of the human psyche. The story revolves around a convicted pedophile referred to as “The Child-Murderer,” who is imprisoned for his heinous crimes. As he serves his sentence, he begins a chilling correspondence with a troubled young woman named Alice, who is obsessed with his crimes.
Through their letters, you will be exposed to the disturbing thoughts and fantasies of both characters, blurring the lines between victim and perpetrator. The novel explores themes of obsession, desire, guilt, and the complexities of morality, raising uncomfortable questions about the nature of evil and the human capacity for depravity.
As the narrative unfolds, it becomes evident that Alice is also entangled in her own dark and troubled world, leading to a shocking and unsettling climax that challenges readers’ perceptions of right and wrong.
Total Pages– 272 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 3.51
Amazon Rating– 3.8
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 9 hours and 4 minutes to finish The End of Alice by A.M. Homes.
The Lover (1984)
by Marguerite Duras
The Lover is a novel that takes us to the richly evocative world of colonial Vietnam. It’s a story of forbidden love between a young French girl and an older Chinese-Vietnamese man. The girl comes from a struggling French family in Saigon, while the man is a wealthy and influential figure in the local Chinese community.
Despite the challenges of their different backgrounds and the societal prejudices of the time, they share a passionate and secret romance. The girl’s family is unaware of the relationship, and the Chinaman’s family strongly disapproves of it.
As the girl narrates her experiences, we get a glimpse into the complexities of her emotions. She finds in this relationship an escape from the constraints of her family and society, and she struggles with the clash of cultures and the power dynamics at play.
The book explores themes of desire, power dynamics, colonialism, and the consequences of going against the norms of society.
Total Pages– 117 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 3.73
Amazon Rating– 4.1
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 3 hours and 54 minutes to finish The Lover by Marguerite Duras.
You (2014)
by Caroline Kepnes
‘You’ deals with themes of addiction, obsession, stalking, and the dark side of love. Even if you’ve already watched the series based on the novel, reading it will be worth it.
The book follows the story of Joe Goldberg, a charming and intelligent yet deeply disturbed man who works in a bookstore in New York City. When aspiring writer Guinevere Beck, whom he refers to as Beck, walks into the store one day, Joe becomes instantly infatuated with her. What begins as a seemingly innocent crush quickly escalates into an obsession as Joe starts using social media to stalk Beck, learning every detail of her life and manipulating events to become a part of it.
As Joe’s obsession intensifies, he resorts to extreme and increasingly dangerous measures to protect his delusional idea of love. He eliminates anyone he perceives as a threat to their relationship, leaving a trail of deception and violence in his wake. Despite the darkness of his actions, the narrative is presented from Joe’s perspective, offering a chilling and unsettling insight into the mind of a relentless and sinister protagonist.
Total Pages– 464 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 3.95
Amazon Rating– 4.4
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 15 hours and 28 minutes to finish You by Caroline Kepnes.
Conclusion to Books like Diary of an Oxygen Thief
And that concludes the list for books like Diary of an Oxygen Thief!
These 11 handpicked books like Diary of an Oxygen Thief offer an unvarnished look at the human condition, inviting you to delve into the depths of raw emotion and candid storytelling. From personal confessions to uncompromising explorations of life’s complexities, this curated list promises to challenge, provoke, and inspire. So, dive into these unfiltered reads and embrace the unapologetic voices that dare to tell it like it is. Happy reading!