The 5 best dark comedy novels of all time, according to Oyinkan Braithwaite

The hilarious, razor sharp and oh-so-readable novel that was Oyinkan Braithwaite’s debut marked her out as a bold new voice with a talent for finding comedy in the macabre. A word of mouth sensation that topped bestseller lists and was shortlisted for the Woman’s Prize for Fiction, My Sister, the Serial Killer was also the kind of runaway hit that all novelists dream of. Seven years later, Braithwaite is back with Cursed Daughters, her much anticipated and equally good follow-up (Atlantic Books, £18.99, published on 25 September). But what has she been reading in the meantime? Here, the author shares the dark comedies that have shaped her life and writing…

We Have Always lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

“The Blackwoods – father, mother, aunt, and brother – have been poisoned by a mixture of arsenic and sugar. They are survived by Mary Katherine “Merricat”, an eccentric, child-like young woman; Constance, the beautiful older sister suffering from agoraphobia; and their ailing uncle. Despite the tragedy and the scorn of their community, Merricat has managed to carve out a strangely charmed and contented existence within the walls of their sprawling home. But her fragile world is threatened when a cousin arrives, disrupting the careful balance she has built. Merricat’s quirky, whimsical voice, along with the gothic yet enchanting tone of the narrative, makes this a mysterious and compelling read.” (Penguin Classics, £9.99)

A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G Summers

“Dorothy Daniels is a successful food writer, a sex connoisseur, and a serial killer. At the start of the novel, she sits in prison, facing a life sentence, and reflects on her past. But Dorothy is not a woman steeped in regret. What she laments most is not her crimes but her lack of access to the exquisite meals that once defined her life and career. She hungers desperately for gourmet meals. And yet, over the course of the story, food is not the only thing Dorothy savours. A Certain Hunger offers a feast of sumptuous, evocative writing paired with a razor-sharp voice. It plays with your senses, seduces you with language, and laces it all with humour so dark that you almost won’t believe what you’ve read.” (Faber, £9.99)

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin

“Bolanle is a university graduate with a bright future, but a traumatic incident leads her to become the fourth wife of the bumbling Baba Segi. Naturally, his other wives do not take kindly to her sudden arrival and close ranks, with results that are by turns funny and devastating. “This isn’t a story about women fighting over a man; it’s a story about women fighting for survival. And yet, there’s a lightness to it, an understanding of humanity that runs through every page. Even Baba Segi himself – naïve, plump, entitled though he is – is also somehow oddly charming.” (Serpent’s Tail, £9.99)

Popcorn by Ben Elton

“Filmmaker Bruce Delamitri is taken hostage by two criminals who demand he declare that his movies are responsible for their crimes, so they can avoid the death penalty. But Bruce refuses to bend, standing by his art no matter the cost. And a lot of people die because of it. This is playful satire at its finest. If you love Hollywood, film, and wrestling with the impact of the entertainment we consume on our culture, this is for you. At its heart lies the age-old question: where does responsibility end, and creative freedom begin? Impish and thrilling, this book will provide plenty of food for thought.” (Black Swan, £10.99)

This Immaculate Body by Emma van Straaten

“Alice is a part-time cleaner devoted to her client, Tom. Their paths never cross – he’s never home when she cleans, and she always leaves before he returns. Still, she takes meticulous care of his apartment, all while leaving behind subtle traces of herself. Because Alice is convinced that she and Tom are soulmates. Her behaviour in his home is invasive at best, criminal at worst. In her desperate quest to make Tom fulfil his role in her fantasy, Alice makes a series of choices that are by turns absurd, shocking, and deeply unsettling. After this darkly funny read, you may never feel so comfortable letting a stranger into your home again.” (Fleet, £16.99)