Joe’s obsession with books goes beyond his job as a bookstore manager—it is a window into his disturbed psyche, where literature becomes both a mirror and a mask for his dangerous behaviour. Through carefully selected works, the show not only reflects Joe’s complex personality but also foreshadows crucial plot points, adding layers of meaning and depth to its already twisted world.

Season One: Joe and Beck’s literary bond

In season one, Joe’s relationship with Guinevere Beck, a struggling writer, is built around books. Joe introduces Paula Fox’s novel “Desperate Characters” during their first interaction, a subtle clue about the instability that will define their romance. The book mirrors Joe and Beck’s doomed connection, reflecting how one seemingly small event can unravel their lives.

Beck’s sarcastic comment about a customer purchasing J.D. Salinger’s “Franny and Zooey” also carries weight. This novel, which centres on disillusionment and existential crises, subtly parallels Beck’s own journey as she tries to find her place in the world.

Joe and Paco: A bond built through literature

A touching, albeit dark, subplot is Joe’s relationship with Paco, a young boy from his building. Joe gives Paco “Don Quixote”, a story about a man on a chivalrous yet delusional quest, drawing a parallel to Joe’s misguided belief that he is a protector of those he loves. Joe’s twisted sense of chivalry is encapsulated by the books he gives Paco, and these moments foreshadow Joe’s later justifications for his increasingly violent actions.

Later, when Joe gifts Paco “The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas, a novel about loyalty and adventure, it resonates with Paco’s longing for escape from his troubled home life, while subtly illustrating Joe’s desire to forge relationships based on the same idealistic, but dangerous, concepts of loyalty.

Beck’s poetry and literary references

Beck contributes to this literary dialogue by gifting Joe a copy of “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown, in which she has hidden one of her own poems. This act adds intimacy to their relationship, but also shows Beck’s vulnerability—she hides her true self behind layers, much like Joe.

A particularly chilling moment occurs when Joe’s bookstore, Mooney’s, hosts the debut of “Sleeping Beauties” by Stephen King and Owen King, a novel about the mysterious disappearance of women. This eerily parallels the fates of Beck, Peach, and other women in Joe’s life, hinting at the danger looming over their relationship.

Joe’s complex self-reflection through literature

His theft of “Ozma of Oz” from Peach’s house further highlights his complicated connection to books, as it evokes memories of his childhood spent locked in the bookstore basement, where literature was his only escape.

Symbolism of revenge and Joe’s literary escape

As Joe’s narrative grows darker, he gives Paco “The Count of Monte Cristo”, a novel centred on patience and revenge. This reflects Joe’s own calculated actions as he begins to exact his idea of justice on those around him. The concept of long-term revenge quietly builds tension, hinting at Joe’s escalating need for control and retribution.

In a particularly telling scene, Joe throws Beck a literary-themed birthday party, dressing as Ernest Hemingway, while guests dress as characters from iconic works like “Harry Potter” and “Pride and Prejudice”. The mix of these literary figures underscores the contradictions in Joe’s personality: he romanticises love while maintaining a predatory nature.

When Joe moves to Los Angeles, his literary tendencies evolve with him. He takes Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” to a job interview, symbolising his internal struggle with guilt and redemption. The themes of this novel reflect Joe’s continuing journey into moral ambiguity as he tries to justify his increasingly dark actions.

Joe’s new romantic interest, Love Quinn, gives him Joan Didion’s “Play It As It Lays”, describing it as “dark and complex” — a perfect reflection of Joe’s own inner life. This literary gift foreshadows the complexities and secrets in Love’s own character.

Joe as a literary mentor to Ellie

Joe’s influence on the young and impressionable Ellie, whom he introduces to Russian literature, further deepens the series’ literary themes. By recommending Mikhail Bulgakov’s “The Master and Margarita”, a novel about love, politics, and the supernatural, Joe once again sees himself as a mentor, using literature to connect with and manipulate those around him.

The books in Joe’s cage, where he holds his victims, also tell their own story. Titles like “Berlin Wild” by Elly Welt, a novel about survival during World War II, echo Joe’s own sense of survival and self-justification.

Season Two Finale: A literary blueprint for deception

In the season two finale, Joe spies on his neighbour, who reads Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” and Jane Austen, further intertwining Joe’s love for literature with his growing obsession and control over others. The literary motifs in this scene foreshadow Joe’s manipulative nature and provide a roadmap for his next sinister acts.

Season Three: Fatherhood and classic literature

Season three adds another layer to Joe’s literary connection, as he navigates fatherhood. Joe reads “The Great Gatsby” to his son, Henry, a symbolic nod to his own doomed aspirations. He later refers to his neighbour Natalie as the “green light” from “Gatsby”, symbolising his unattainable desires, and thus weaving a narrative of failure and obsession.

When Natalie checks out “Gone Girl”, it further foreshadows the twists of deception in Joe’s life, as Joe’s romantic obsessions inevitably lead to dangerous outcomes.

The complex symbolism of books in Joe’s life

Books continue to be Joe’s guiding force throughout the series, shaping his worldview, reflecting his inner conflicts, and often serving as roadmaps for his criminal behaviour.

From Hemingway and Fitzgerald to Dostoyevsky and Dumas, the series uses literature not only to enrich the plot but also as a metaphor for Joe’s twisted sense of morality.

The Series Finale: The final bookish twist

In the series finale, Joe’s manipulation of Marienne culminates in a flurry of literary references. Joe even studies addiction, using his knowledge of literature as a blueprint for deception. His actions mirror the plot of “Gone Girl”, a book featured earlier, and in doing so, Joe successfully fakes his own death.

Literature as a window into Joe’s soul

Overall, “You” masterfully uses literary references not just to deepen character development but to serve as a window into Joe Goldberg’s troubled soul. His obsession with books is intricately tied to his dangerous actions, providing both insight into his motivations and a framework for his increasingly dark world.

Through these references, the show creates a richer, more layered narrative that mirrors the complexities of Joe’s twisted morality and deep-rooted psychopathy.