Book cover of Disease of Kings

Book description

In poems bursting with narrative power, Disease of Kings explores the tender yet volatile friendship between two young scammers living off the fat of society. Here are stories of an odd couple who scrounge, con, hustle, and steal, alternately proud of their ability to fabricate a life at the margins…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Disease of Kings as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I loved how the book transported me into a world of dumpster–diving, and train-hopping, and I cared for the plight of this unusual protagonist. The poems have a narrative pull and take us into the uneasy relationship between two friends who live on the fringes of society and teach us that from little there can be plenty, from shame there can rise fulfillment, from silence there can arise poetry.

I learned more about who I am by reading about who I am not and found poetry in the most surprising of places.

If you love Disease of Kings...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like Disease of Kings?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Disease of Kings.

Browse books like Disease of Kings

Book cover of Hold
Book cover of The Sorrow Apartments
Book cover of A Memory of the Future

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

186

readers submitted
so far, will you?

šŸ“š If you like Disease of Kings, you might also like...

Book cover of Child of Vanris

Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack,

At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Despite that brutal start, he’s lived twelve peaceful years with the man who took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears helps him hide the fact that he is Vanrian, a…

Book cover of Almost Home

Almost Home by Howard Means,

Almost Home is a fictional retelling of the last great tragedy of the Civil War.

In late April 1865, almost 2,000 newly freed Union prisoners of war are packed onto the steamer Sultana, in poor repair and with a listed capacity of 376 passengers.Ā Among them are four Indiana soldiers…

5 book lists we think you will like!