1. "Stoner" by John Williams - This novel tells the story of an unremarkable man named William Stoner, who becomes a professor of literature at a small Midwestern university. Despite its quiet subject matter, the book is praised for its beautiful prose, emotional depth, and timeless themes of love, loss, and the struggle to find meaning in life.

  2. "The Last Samurai" by Helen DeWitt - This novel follows the life of a single mother named Sibylla and her gifted son Ludo, as they navigate the worlds of academia, language, and Japanese culture. Despite its title, the book is not about samurai warriors but instead explores themes of intellectual curiosity, human connection, and the search for meaning in a complex and changing world.

  3. "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole - This satirical novel tells the story of Ignatius J. Reilly, a pompous and lazy intellectual living in New Orleans in the 1960s. Despite its hilarious and memorable characters, the book struggled to find a publisher during the author's lifetime and was only published posthumously. It has since become a cult classic, beloved for its wit, humor, and insight into human nature.

  4. "The Mezzanine" by Nicholson Baker - This slim novel takes place during the course of an escalator ride, as the narrator reflects on the minutiae of everyday life, from shoelaces to paper clips to the history of drinking straws. Despite its seemingly mundane subject matter, the book is praised for its originality, humor, and attention to detail.

These books may be considered underrated because they may not have received the same level of mainstream attention as some other works of literature, but they have gained a dedicated following of readers who appreciate their unique perspectives, distinctive styles, and timeless themes.