If you enjoy reading novels by Ali Smith then you might also like the following authors:
Zadie Smith is a contemporary British author known for vibrant characters, sharp dialogue, and insightful observations on multicultural life.
In her novel “White Teeth,” Smith portrays two families—the Joneses and the Iqbals—as their lives intertwine across generations in diverse North-West London. The story explores friendship, identity, and cultural clashes with humor, warmth, and insight.
If you appreciate the inventive storytelling and perceptive takes on contemporary society found in Ali Smith’s novels, you’ll likely find Zadie Smith’s work equally captivating.
Readers who enjoy Ali Smith’s playful narratives and thoughtful explorations of identity might also appreciate Jeanette Winterson.
Winterson often blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, using poetic and innovative storytelling to examine themes like gender, love, and self-discovery.
Her novel “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit” tells the semi-autobiographical story of Jeanette, a young girl adopted by religious parents. Raised to become a missionary, Jeanette finds herself conflicted when she discovers she is attracted to girls.
Her journey reveals the difficulties of finding personal identity within a rigid community. Winterson’s writing is vivid, humorous, and full of emotional depth, which readers of Smith are likely to connect with.
Rachel Cusk is a British-Canadian author known for her sharp observations and thoughtful insights into human relationships and identity. Her novel “Outline” introduces the reader to Faye, a writer traveling to Athens to teach a summer course.
Through a series of conversations with various characters—students, friends, and strangers—their lives and stories slowly emerge. Cusk explores themes of love, loss, and self-awareness in a subtle and reflective style.
Fans of Ali Smith will appreciate Cusk’s ability to weave beautiful prose with quiet yet powerful storytelling.
If you enjoy Ali Smith’s creative storytelling and thoughtful exploration of memory, identity, and human connections, you might also appreciate Kazuo Ishiguro.
His novel “Never Let Me Go” is a thoughtful tale about friendship, love, and loss, set in an alternate England where the main characters, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy, grew up in a mysterious boarding school called Hailsham.
As Kathy reflects on her past, the story gently reveals haunting truths about who they are and what their futures hold. Ishiguro’s quiet yet powerful narrative builds emotional depth without sensationalism, creating scenes that linger long after you’ve finished reading.
David Mitchell crafts novels that play with structure, narrative voice, and time, much in the spirit of Ali Smith’s inventive storytelling style. His novel “Cloud Atlas” weaves together six interconnected tales set across centuries, each with its own distinct style.
These stories range from a nineteenth-century journal of a Pacific voyage to a gripping sci-fi adventure in a dystopian future. Mitchell smoothly shifts between voices and genres, bringing each character vividly to life while subtly connecting their journeys across time.
The clever way he layers these narratives will intrigue readers who enjoy Ali Smith’s playful experimentation with language, identity, and structure.
Maggie O’Farrell is an Irish-British author who weaves intricate human emotions into beautifully nuanced storytelling. If you’re a fan of Ali Smith’s lyrical style and insightful portrayals of human nature, O’Farrell’s novel “Hamnet” could resonate deeply.
The novel explores the imagined story behind Shakespeare’s greatest loss, the death of his son Hamnet. It brings alive Stratford-upon-Avon in vivid detail, offering a fascinating look into the playwright’s personal family dynamics.
Through her empathetic characters and skillful narrative, O’Farrell captures grief, love, and resilience in ways that grip readers long after they put the book down.
Eimear McBride is an Irish author known for her experimental and distinctive writing style. Readers who appreciate Ali Smith’s playful and innovative narrative approach may find a similar appeal in McBride’s work.
Her novel “A Girl is a Half-formed Thing” explores the inner world of a young woman’s consciousness through fragmented and poetic language. It portrays her complicated family ties and personal struggles with raw intensity.
There is emotional depth in the storytelling, along with unconventional rhythm. McBride shows a unique ability to capture powerful human experiences through her bold form of storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Ali Smith might appreciate Sebastian Barry, an Irish author known for his evocative storytelling and exceptional character portraits.
His book “Days Without End” follows Thomas McNulty and his companion John Cole, two young soldiers who navigate the brutal realities of war while building a deep bond together.
Set against the backdrop of the American West, the novel weaves elements of adventure, history, and emotion into a powerful narrative about friendship, survival, and love. Barry’s writing is lyrical yet accessible.
His portrayal of characters’ inner lives and struggles stays memorable long after finishing the story.
Anne Enright is an Irish author known for sharp observations, emotional depth, and narratives exploring family bonds and personal identity.
Her novel “The Gathering” centers around the life of Veronica Hegarty, who confronts unresolved family tensions following the death of her brother Liam.
Told through Veronica’s reflective voice, the novel unfolds secrets and memories that have shaped the family’s history and her own sense of self.
Readers drawn to Ali Smith’s exploration of complex characters and layered storytelling will appreciate Enright’s thoughtful blend of personal and familial discovery.
Books by Deborah Levy offer readers a fresh and imaginative approach to storytelling, perfect for those who enjoy Ali Smith’s inventive narratives.
Levy’s novel, “Hot Milk,” tells the story of Sofia, a young woman seeking answers about her mother’s mysterious ailment at a coastal clinic in southern Spain. The story evolves into an exploration of complex mother-daughter dynamics against a hot, dreamlike landscape.
Her writing is insightful and poetic, blending reality and symbolism effortlessly. Readers familiar with Ali Smith’s layered and playful style may appreciate Levy’s thoughtful attention to character relationships and identity.
Books by Jenny Offill capture everyday life in sharp, witty prose. Readers who appreciate Ali Smith’s playful style and sharp insight might enjoy Offill’s novel “Dept. of Speculation”.
It follows a woman navigating marriage, motherhood, and creativity through short, vivid fragments. Offill uses humor and clever observations to map out the subtleties of relationships and the struggles within domestic life.
The storytelling is imaginative, often surprising, and full of moments that feel very real. If Ali Smith’s inventive ways of storytelling appeal to you, Jenny Offill’s unique voice may offer a similarly fresh reading experience.
Ali Shaw is a British author known for blending magic and realism in beautifully crafted narratives.
His novel “The Girl with Glass Feet” is set on the mysterious island of St. Hauda’s Land, evoking a dreamlike atmosphere reminiscent of Ali Smith’s gentle yet thought-provoking storytelling.
The story centers on Ida Maclaird, a young woman afflicted by a peculiar condition—her feet are gradually turning into glass. She seeks help from the shy local photographer, Midas Crook.
Together, they explore the island’s strange landscape, encountering creatures filled with wonder and melancholy. Shaw’s lyrical prose and unique imagination create a delicate tale about love, fragility, and hope.
Fans of Ali Smith’s evocative narratives may find Ali Shaw similarly captivating.
Rebecca Solnit is an American author known for her engaging blend of memoir, social commentary, and insightful cultural observations. Her book “A Field Guide to Getting Lost” explores the idea of losing oneself as a meaningful journey rather than something to be feared.
Solnit weaves personal narratives with fascinating anecdotes from art, history, and philosophy. Each chapter offers an inspiring way to view uncertainty as a guide toward self-discovery and creativity.
If you’re drawn to Ali Smith’s lyrical writing style and thought-provoking themes, Rebecca Solnit’s reflections on wandering, landscapes, and identity will likely resonate deeply with you.
Readers who appreciate Ali Smith’s playful blend of poetry, storytelling, and innovative form might enjoy Max Porter’s work. His novel “Grief is the Thing with Feathers” is a poignant exploration of loss and healing.
After a tragic death, a grieving father and his two young sons find their lives disrupted by the arrival of Crow, a mischievous, protective bird who becomes both guardian and tormentor.
Porter merges prose with verse, humor with sorrow, crafting a story that feels intimate, original, and deeply human.
Sally Rooney is an Irish author known for novels that deeply explore relationships, identity, and modern life. Her book “Normal People” follows the complex friendship and romance between Connell and Marianne, two young people from different social backgrounds in Ireland.
Over several years, readers see how their connection shapes them and challenges their views of themselves.
If you appreciate Ali Smith’s thoughtful, character-driven stories and the insightful way she captures human emotions, you’ll likely find that Rooney’s honest writing resonates with you as well.