Book cover of The Angel of History: A Novel

Book description

A Washington Independent Review of Books, Literary Hub, and Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year



An Unnecessary Woman

won the California Book Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the PEN Open Book Award and was a Best Book…

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 The Angel of History as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

A few years ago we at Gertrude lit journal decided to answer the question that kept coming our way: What are some great books written by queer people with narratives that center on queer people? Before the pandemic made a mess of things, we ran GERTIE, a book club that chose two fabulous queer books every quarter. This was our very first book selection, and—like with many firsts, perhaps—it holds a special place.

The Angel of History takes place during one night in the waiting room of a San Francisco psyche ward when visits by the Devil and 14 Saints…

From tammy's list on queer books across time & genre.

If you love The Angel of History...

Book cover of The Rosewood Penny

The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields,

2023 Queer Indie Award Nominee!

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction.

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive…

Want books like The Angel of History?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Angel of History.

Browse books like The Angel of History

Book cover of Gideon the Ninth
Book cover of Theft by Finding: Diaries (1977-2002)
Book cover of Her Body and Other Parties: Stories

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

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

1,343

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Angel of History, you might also like...

Book cover of Outside Looking In: The Seriously Funny Life and Work of George Carlin

Outside Looking In by John Corcelli,

What do Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, and Jerry Seinfeld have in common? They were all devotees of George Carlin.

In my book, I take a deep dive into the comedic artistry of one of America's most important funny men. George Carlin was the king of all media: print, recordings, movies,…

Book cover of The Oracle of Spring Garden Road

The Oracle of Spring Garden Road by Norrin M. Ripsman,

The Oracle of Spring Garden Road explores the life and singular worldview of “Crazy Eddie,” a brilliant, highly-educated homeless man who panhandles in front of a downtown bank in a coastal town.

Eddie is a local enigma. Who is he? Where did he come from? What brought him to a…

5 book lists we think you will like!