📖 Overview
Joe Dunthorne is a Welsh novelist, poet and journalist born in 1982, who gained recognition with his debut novel "Submarine" (2008). His work spans multiple genres including literary fiction and poetry, with notable publications including the novels "Wild Abandon" (2011) and "The Adulterants" (2018), as well as his poetry collection "O Positive" (2019).
After studying Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, where he won the Curtis Brown Prize, Dunthorne's "Submarine" achieved significant critical success. The coming-of-age novel was adapted into a successful film in 2010, directed by Richard Ayoade and featuring Craig Roberts and Sally Hawkins.
His second novel "Wild Abandon" won the RSL Encore Award, solidifying his reputation in literary fiction. Dunthorne's poetry has been recognized through his inclusion in the Faber New Poets series, demonstrating his versatility across different literary forms.
Dunthorne continues to contribute to contemporary literature through his novels, poetry, and journalism, writing from his base in London. His work often explores themes of coming-of-age, relationships, and contemporary British life, characterized by a distinctive blend of humor and insight.
👀 Reviews
Readers connect with Dunthorne's humor and observations of modern life. His debut "Submarine" receives praise for its authentic teenage voice and dark comedy. One Goodreads reviewer noted: "The internal monologue captures teen awkwardness without becoming precious."
Readers appreciate:
- Sharp, witty dialogue
- Complex family dynamics
- Balance of comedy and serious themes
- Realistic character flaws
- British cultural references
Common criticisms:
- Plots can meander
- Characters sometimes feel too eccentric
- Humor occasionally overshadows emotional depth
- Some find the writing style pretentious
Ratings across platforms:
Submarine: 3.7/5 (Goodreads, 14,000+ ratings)
Wild Abandon: 3.3/5 (Goodreads, 1,000+ ratings)
The Adulterants: 3.4/5 (Goodreads, 800+ ratings)
Amazon reviews average 4/5 across all books
Most negative reviews focus on pacing issues or difficulty connecting with protagonists. As one Amazon reviewer stated: "The cleverness gets in the way of caring about what happens."
📚 Books by Joe Dunthorne
Submarine (2008)
A coming-of-age story following 15-year-old Oliver Tate in Wales as he navigates his first relationship while trying to save his parents' marriage.
Wild Abandon (2011) Chronicles the unraveling of a family living in a failing commune in South Wales, centered on siblings Kate and Albert.
The Adulterants (2018) Follows Ray, a tech journalist in London, as he faces impending parenthood and housing crisis during a period of personal upheaval.
O Positive (2019) - Poetry Collection A collection of poems exploring contemporary life, relationships, and modern anxieties through diverse poetic forms.
All Right Now (2023) Depicts a near-future London through the story of a couple navigating relationships and morality in a time of societal transformation.
Wild Abandon (2011) Chronicles the unraveling of a family living in a failing commune in South Wales, centered on siblings Kate and Albert.
The Adulterants (2018) Follows Ray, a tech journalist in London, as he faces impending parenthood and housing crisis during a period of personal upheaval.
O Positive (2019) - Poetry Collection A collection of poems exploring contemporary life, relationships, and modern anxieties through diverse poetic forms.
All Right Now (2023) Depicts a near-future London through the story of a couple navigating relationships and morality in a time of societal transformation.
👥 Similar authors
David Mitchell writes novels that merge multiple narratives and timeframes while maintaining a darkly comic tone. His work, like Dunthorne's, frequently explores coming-of-age themes and British cultural identity through both realistic and fantastical frameworks.
Jonathan Safran Foer constructs narratives that combine humor with complex family dynamics and self-discovery. His protagonists often navigate their personal growth through similar psychological territory as Dunthorne's characters, using wit as a defense mechanism.
Nick Hornby creates character-driven stories about modern British life and relationships with a focus on male perspectives. His work shares Dunthorne's interest in exploring contemporary social dynamics and personal growth through a lens of humor.
Ben Brooks writes about youth culture and modern relationships with similar attention to generational characteristics and social commentary. His novels examine contemporary British life through characters who struggle with identity and belonging in ways that parallel Dunthorne's protagonists.
Ali Smith crafts narratives that experiment with form while maintaining accessibility and humor. Her work shares Dunthorne's interest in exploring relationships and identity within contemporary British society through both conventional and unconventional storytelling approaches.
Jonathan Safran Foer constructs narratives that combine humor with complex family dynamics and self-discovery. His protagonists often navigate their personal growth through similar psychological territory as Dunthorne's characters, using wit as a defense mechanism.
Nick Hornby creates character-driven stories about modern British life and relationships with a focus on male perspectives. His work shares Dunthorne's interest in exploring contemporary social dynamics and personal growth through a lens of humor.
Ben Brooks writes about youth culture and modern relationships with similar attention to generational characteristics and social commentary. His novels examine contemporary British life through characters who struggle with identity and belonging in ways that parallel Dunthorne's protagonists.
Ali Smith crafts narratives that experiment with form while maintaining accessibility and humor. Her work shares Dunthorne's interest in exploring relationships and identity within contemporary British society through both conventional and unconventional storytelling approaches.