Five novels featuring strangers crossing paths in unexpected ways

Ilona Bannister is the author of three novels, When I Ran Away, Little Prisons, and the newly released Five.

[Q&A with Ilona Bannister; The Page 69 Test: When I Ran Away]

At Lit Hub the author tagged five novels that

involve strangers crossing paths in unexpected ways. They are about what happens when people who don’t know each other are suddenly entangled in one another’s lives. But they are also about the chance experiences that connect us to each other and change us, sometimes for a moment. Sometimes forever.

One title on the list:

Tales of the City, Armistead Maupin

Bohemian, colorful, exuberant, and one of the first books to normalize queer lives in mainstream culture, this modern literary classic is still as relevant today as it was in 1976 when it was published. Set in 1970s San Francisco, Maupin brings us into the magical, groovy, and energetic world of 28 Babary Lane and its young tenants. Though they are all strangers at the start, Mary Ann Singleton, Mouse, Mona Ramsey and Brian very soon become like family as they strive to find the paths their loves and lives are meant to take. It all happens under the guidance of the mystical, cannabis-loving, kaftan wearing, wise and delightful Mrs Madrigal.

It is a story about strangers who meet by chance but become each other’s “logical family” by choice.

Read about another entry on the list.

Tales of the City is among Gina McKee's six best books.

--Marshal Zeringue