Cover of Faces in the Water

Faces in the Water

by Janet Frame · 1961

+ Want to read

Narrated entirely from the viewpoint of a young insane woman, this novel provides a moving description of the horrific conditions in two New Zealand mental institutions.

Genre
literary fictionliterary fictionMore like thisLess of this
Themes
mental healthmental healthMore like thisLess of thiswomenwomenMore like thisLess of thistraveltravelMore like thisLess of thispsychologicalpsychologicalMore like thisLess of this
Setting
1960s1960sMore like thisLess of thisNew ZealandNew ZealandMore like thisLess of thisAustraliaAustraliaMore like thisLess of this
Subject
psychologypsychologyMore like thisLess of thisbiographybiographyMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult
Length
medium · 254 pages

Click a tag to see books like this one that share it. Point at it (on a phone, tap it) for less of it instead.

Read it? Sign in to help tag it.

BuyAmazonGoogle Books

BorrowOpen LibraryA library near you

MoreCompare pricesHardcover

Liked Faces in the Water? Here’s where I’d start.

These suit anyone who liked Faces in the Water. Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.

  1. The Trick Is to Keep Breathing Janice Galloway · 1989 Shares fiction, mental illness, psychology
  2. The Antipodeans Greg McGee · 2015 Shares New Zealand, fiction
  3. The Loony-Bin Trip Kate Millett · 1990 Shares mental illness, psychology, memoir
  4. Access Road Maurice Gee · 2009 Shares New Zealand, fiction
See more recommendations →

“People who read Faces in the Water tend to reach for these next.”

  1. Asylum Piece Anna Kavan · 1940
  2. Agnes's Jacket: A Psychologist's Search for the Meanings of Madness Gail A. Hornstein · 2009
  3. Mouthing the Words Camilla Gibb · 1999
  4. The Book of Franza and Requiem for Fanny Goldmann Ingeborg Bachmann · 1978

“If you want more of the same (literary fiction about mental health), start with these.”

  1. Nobody Is Ever Missing Catherine Lacey · 2014
  2. Lilith J.R. Salamanca · 1961
  3. The Ha-Ha Jennifer Dawson · 1961
  4. Ellie and the Shadow Man Maurice Gee

“If it was the New Zealand that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. Pounamu Pounamu Witi Ihimaera · 1972
  2. A Good Keen Man Barry Crump · 1960
  3. Hokitika Town Charlotte Randall · 2006
  4. Live Bodies Maurice Gee · 1998

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. Unspeakable: The Story of Junius Wilson Susan Burch, Hannah Joyner · 2007
  2. McCone and Friends Marcia Muller · 1999
  3. Bedlam: A Year in the Life of a Mental Hospital Dominick Bosco · 1992
  4. The Cursed Man Keith Rommel · 2011

Report a problem