What Genre Does 'Same As It Ever Was' Belong To?

I just finished reading 'Same As It Ever Was' and it's such a refreshing mix of genres! At its core, it's a literary fiction novel with deeply introspective writing that explores the protagonist's midlife crisis in painful detail. But what makes it special is how it blends elements of magical realism—there are these subtle, unexplained moments where reality seems to bend around the main character's emotions. The domestic drama aspects feel so authentic too, like watching a neighbor's marriage unravel through their kitchen window. It reminded me of Celeste Ng's work but with a heavier existential dread vibe. If you enjoy character-driven stories where the setting almost becomes another character, this delivers.

As someone who reads 100+ books a year, I'd classify 'Same As It Ever Was' as contemporary fiction with strong psychological thriller undertones. The way the author builds tension through mundane interactions is masterful—you keep waiting for something catastrophic to happen during a PTA meeting or grocery run.

The novel cleverly disguises its genre-bending nature. Initially it presents as women's fiction with its focus on motherhood and suburban life, but then surreal elements creep in. Time loops occur during arguments, photographs change when no one's looking, and the protagonist starts hearing voices that might be future echoes. These sci-fi touches never overwhelm the human story though.

What sets it apart is the dark humor woven throughout. The protagonist's sarcastic inner monologue during yoga classes or school drop-offs adds a tragicomic layer I haven't seen since 'Fleishman Is in Trouble'. For readers who enjoyed 'The Midnight Library' but wished it had sharper teeth, this delivers that same existential punch with more sophisticated prose.

'Same As It Ever Was' defies simple categorization—it's like if Margaret Atwood decided to rewrite 'Mad Men' with a twist of paranormal activity. The dominant genre is clearly domestic realism, tracking one woman's crumbling marriage and career, but the storytelling techniques borrow from mystery novels. You're constantly piecing together what's real versus what the unreliable narrator perceives.

Surprisingly, there are also epistolary elements woven in through emails and text messages that reveal key plot points, giving it a modern epistolary fiction feel. The second act takes a hard left into psychological horror territory when the protagonist's hallucinations become indistinguishable from reality.

What makes it groundbreaking is how seamlessly it blends women's fiction tropes with surrealist techniques. One chapter you're reading about messy divorce logistics, the next you're questioning whether a character actually exists or is just a manifestation of guilt. For fans of ambiguous endings like in 'The Leftovers', this book will spark endless debate about what truly happened.