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I've been in a reading slump, stuck on dense literary fiction, and I'm looking for a compelling contemporary novel that's both well-written and genuinely propulsive. I want something with sharp dialogue and complex characters, but I also need a plot that actually moves. For readers with similar tastes, what recent fiction from the last two or three years have you found impossible to put down, where the author managed to balance stylistic ambition with real narrative momentum and emotional payoff?

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is my go-to when I want momentum without sacrificing style—great dialogue, complex characters, and a plot that keeps pulling you forward. if you’ve got a long list, it’s a good starter.

The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty (2022) is an ensemble novel that hums with pace and social truth. It’s literary but incredibly readable, and it won the National Book Award for Fiction, which says a lot about its momentum and craft.

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang (2023) is sharp, propulsive, and darkly funny in spots. It’s a satire about publishing and ambition with real sensory drive, though some readers push back on the abrasive edge.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (2022) is big and emotionally gripping, a modern take on David Copperfield set in Appalachia. It’s occasionally sprawling, but the narrative current pulls you through to a powerful payoff.

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton (2022) feels like a literary thriller—thoughtful, big ideas with a suspenseful arc. It’s denser, but many readers find the tension and pacing very rewarding if you like precision and mood driving the story.

The Candy House by Jennifer Egan (2022) offers a kaleidoscope of stories that weave into one larger dynamic. If you loved A Visit from the Goon Squad, you’ll recognize the craft; just know the structure requires some patience but the payoff is meaningful.

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