Book cover of The Fetishist

Book description

'Incandescent, astonishing, a miracle' R. O. KWON

'With The Fetishist, Min has left the world something original and highly potent' INDEPENDENT

'Savage, horrible and very funny' i-D MAGAZINE

In this hilariously savage, poignant novel by acclaimed author Katherine Min, a grieving daughter's revenge on the man who caused her mother's…

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?

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

Min's knotty tale is almost thriller-like in its plot, but she unpicks the threads of the overlapping relationships between her characters with such patience, insight and poetry. It's a heartbreaking book that explores the uncomfortable tension between extreme pain and extreme beauty, as well as bringing sharp insights into the way in which Asian women are profiled and fetishised in the classical music world.

I liked this book because of the very original and largely unwritten about description of what it is like to be an Asian woman in facing the male gaze and assumptions of Caucasian men. The author's anger and insight shine through in a way which was uncomfortable at times to read. I found it to be enlightening, and the author deserves a great deal of posthumous credit for her voice and the elegant way in which she expressed herself.

If you love The Fetishist...

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 The Fetishist?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 4 books like The Fetishist.

Browse books like The Fetishist

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?

📚 If you like The Fetishist, you might also like...

Book cover of Creativity, Teaching, and Natural Inspiration

Creativity, Teaching, and Natural Inspiration by Mark Doherty,

I have woven numerous delightful and descriptive true life stories, many from my adventures as an outdoorsman and singer songwriter, into my life as a high school English teacher. I think you'll find this work both entertaining as well as informative, and I hope you enjoy the often lighthearted repartee…

Book cover of AcClaim

AcClaim by Jean Thesquare,

AcClaim is a dark, high-society romance about Beatrix Winslow-Hale, a successful romance author who believes desire can be negotiated and controlled—until enigmatic billionaire Dorian Wolker crosses the line between consensual surrender and violation. Publicly humiliated and emotionally shattered, Beatrix turns to Manon de Rochemaure, her fiercely loyal best friend and…