The End of Mr. Y

By Scarlett Thomas,

Book cover of The End of Mr. Y

Book description

'Ingenious and original' Philip Pullman

If you knew a book was cursed, would you still read it?

When Ariel Manto uncovers a copy of The End of Mr. Y in a second-hand bookshop, she can't believe her eyes. She knows enough about its author, the outlandish Victorian scientist Thomas Lumas,…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

2 authors picked The End of Mr. Y as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love Scarlett Thomas’ writing and The End of Mr. Y was my first read of hers. I fell in love with this book because it was about a book, and a cursed book at that. The exquisite writing took me on a journey of uncertainty and time travel with Ariel and I have yet to find another book like it – it is a unique book that has many layers and as well as focusing on the speculative aspect, it is suspenseful and beautifully descriptive. Five stars from me and it made me want to read more from this…

From J.A.'s list on women in dystopian worlds.

At no point while reading The End of Mr. Y did I know where Scarlett Thomas was taking me, but I enjoyed the hell out of it. The main character, graduate student Ariel Manto, discovers a rare cursed book that seems to lead to another world. Or, at least, that is the story on the surface. Beneath the surface, Thomas has mashed together big and weird questions of philosophy and science. The End of Mr. Y is like the older, aloof sister of Jason Pargin’s John Dies at the End (which I also thoroughly enjoyed).

Want books like The End of Mr. Y?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The End of Mr. Y.

Browse books like The End of Mr. Y

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in dystopian, the CIA, and Ancient Greece?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about dystopian, the CIA, and Ancient Greece.

Dystopian Explore 545 books about dystopian
The CIA Explore 123 books about the CIA
Ancient Greece Explore 132 books about Ancient Greece