MashReads Podcast: 'The Familiar' is a mind-bending postmodern novel about, well, cats

"But for a curious thing."

So writes Mark Z. Danielewski in The Familiar, Volume 1: One Rainy Day in May, which turns out to be an apt description for the book. The Familiar is a mind-bending postmodern novel that follows nine different characters all on, you guessed it, one rainy day in May. 

But it's not just Danielewski's story that makes The Familiar so experimental. Each character's perspective is written in a distinct style, with different fonts and page structures, making the novel a delightfully challenging but visually stunning read. 

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Oh, also it contains mystery, depth and cats.

Join us this week on the MashReads Podcast as we chat about The Familiar. Then, inspired by The Familiar's play with form, we chat about our favorite pieces of experimental storytelling.

And as always, we end with some reading recommendations.

• Aliza is about to begin her quest to reread the entire Harry Potter series again.
  

• Peter is continuing down the Mark Z. Danielewski rabbit hole by reading The Familiar Volume 2: Into the Forest. 
  

• MJ recommends "All the Greedy Young Abigail Fishers and Me," an essay by Jia Tolentino about race, privilege and the Supreme Court's Abigail Fisher case.
  

Next week we are reading The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. We hope you'll join along.

And if you're looking for more book news, don't forget to follow MashReads on Facebook and Twitter. 

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