Can you recommend some surreal detective novels?

I would recommend 'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer. The area known as Area X is filled with strange and surreal phenomena that the expedition, which includes a kind of detective - like figure, has to explore. And then there's 'Blindsight' by Peter Watts. It has a science - fictiony take on detective work in a very strange and alien - influenced universe.

Well, a major characteristic is the exploration of the subconscious. The stories often delve into the deeper, hidden parts of the mind. This can be seen in the strange dreams and hallucinations that are sometimes part of the plot, as in 'The Crying of Lot 49'. Another aspect is the mixing of different genres. They combine detective elements with elements of the supernatural, science - fiction, or fantasy. This gives the novels a unique flavor. The settings are usually very atmospheric, whether it's a gloomy cityscape or a strange, uncharted territory. And the detectives themselves may have some extraordinary abilities or insights that are not typical in traditional detective stories, which helps them navigate the surreal landscapes they find themselves in.

One of the well - known surreal crime novels is 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. It has a complex web of mystery and a unique noir style that often veers into the surreal with its convoluted plots and shadowy characters. Another is 'Perfume: The Story of a Murderer' by Patrick Süskind. The description of the protagonist's extreme sense of smell and the strange murders in the story create a very surreal atmosphere within the crime narrative.

One of the surreal romance novels is 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern. It has a dream - like setting where a magical circus appears only at night. The relationship between the two main characters, Celia and Marco, is full of mystery and an otherworldly charm.

One surreal mystery novel is 'The Raw Shark Texts' by Steven Hall. It's a mind - bender with a very unique concept of a'shark' that exists in the world of ideas and memories. Also, 'City of Saints and Madmen' by Jeff VanderMeer is set in a strange, surreal city filled with mysteries and odd characters. 'Hard - Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World' by Murakami is another good pick. It has two parallel storylines, one in a very strange, surreal 'Hard - Boiled Wonderland' and the other in a more desolate world, and the mystery lies in how they are related.

Sure. 'The Sandman' by Neil Gaiman is a great surreal graphic novel. It weaves together various mythologies and dreamscapes in a really unique way. The art is also very captivating and helps bring the strange and dreamy stories to life.

Sure. 'Finnegans Wake' by James Joyce is quite surreal. Its complex language and dream - like narrative make it a challenging but interesting read. Also, 'Naked Lunch' by William S. Burroughs contains a lot of surreal elements. It has a fragmented and often disturbing storyline that defies normal expectations of a novel.

Yes. 'Some Prefer Nettles' by Junichiro Tanizaki. This novel has a certain surreality in its exploration of human relationships and the contrast between modern and traditional Japanese life. The characters' actions and emotions often seem to be in a hazy, dream - like state. Also, 'The Silent Cry' by Kenzaburo Oe contains surreal aspects, especially in the way it deals with the psychological states of the characters and the overarching themes that seem to be both real and yet otherworldly at the same time.

I also recommend 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. It has a complex and surreal structure, with text that plays with layout and form. The story within the story is full of strange and unexplained phenomena. And then there's 'The Wind - Up Bird Chronicle' by Haruki Murakami. It has elements of mystery, dreams, and a world that defies normal logic.

One of the well - known dark surreal novels is 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. It plays with the format of the book and tells a very strange and disturbing story about a house that is bigger on the inside than it appears on the outside.