INDECISION by Benjamin Kunkel

A young American man is left disconnected and dazed by the world in general and America in particular after 9/11. The hero seeks release from indecision, but has to flee the United States to find it.

EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE by Jonathan Safran-Foer

The nine-year-old Oskar loses his father in the 9/11 attacks. An unusual little boy — he likes astrophysics and collecting butterflies — he finds a key among his father’s belongings and embarks on a quest to find the right keyhole to unlock.

WINDOWS ON THE WORLD by Frederic Beidbeger

In this part-novel, part-memoir, an imperfect father and his two sons die slowly in the flaming North Tower of the World Trade Centre. The author muses on what it is about the modern US that made the impact of the attacks on the country’s mindset so huge.

THE POST-BIRTHDAY WORLD by Lionel Shriver

Wrapped up in her own emotional difficulties, the heroine is brought up short by the attacks. She vows to quit bickering, ignore small difficulties and focus on her true love.

THE EMPEROR’S CHILDREN by Claire Messud

A posse of over-educated intellectuals, drifting unfettered by concrete achievements, go about their business in New York. 9/11 knocks them for six, ruining their plans, their love affairs or allowing them to start their lives all over again.

THE GOOD LIFE by Jay McInerney

Privileged New Yorker are led to reassess their lives and become better people in the wake of the attacks.

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