Books like The armies of the night

The armies of the night by Norman Mailer reads as sardonic, analytical. These 12 books share its genome — matched by how they actually read, not just their shelf label.

Generation of swine

Hunter S. Thompson · 1988

Both explore counterculture & journalism

60% genome match

How to write an autobiographical novel

Alexander Chee · 2018

Both explore identity & politics

59% genome match

Bitch

Elizabeth Wurtzel · 1998

Both explore identity

55% genome match

Problem with Everything

Meghan Daum · 2019

Both explore identity

57% genome match

Hunger

Roxane Gay · 2016

Both explore identity

52% genome match

Smuggler's blues

Richard Stratton · 2016

Both explore counterculture

57% genome match

Existential errands

Norman Mailer · 1972

Both explore politics & journalism

69% genome match

The situation and the story

Vivian Gornick · 2001

Same nonfiction feel

52% genome match

Quintana & friends

John Gregory Dunne · 1978

Both explore journalism

60% genome match

Run Towards the Danger

Sarah Polley · 2022

Same memoir feel

52% genome match

Daddy we hardly knew you

Germaine Greer · 1989

Both explore identity

54% genome match

Between Two Kingdoms

Suleika Jaouad · 2020

Both explore identity

50% genome match