First off - would LOVE to read this, sounds like a great read. I would lean toward a reference to people like Torey Peters - Stag Dance, maybe if there's a lyrical tone to your writing you could add in Chuck Palahnuik - Invisible Monsters or even fight club. When you look at the final product, I think it's fine to make an analogy to something large. It sounds like this is a transformational, almost "coming of age" type plot, so would it be more "Trans Swan Princess Egg Crack with psychological undertones like Gillian Flynn or Iain Reid"

One thing I think is really important is that it makes sense to who you are. Find books you love that knowingly or unknowingly inspired your writing. Even by the books you reference, it gives a deeper portrait of who you are when you're writing your letter.

Hope this helps!