If you are drawn to the works of Alice McDermott, it is probably because of her way with words, her focus on families, and how she looks at everyday life. She often writes about Irish-American families and their experiences.
Her books explore themes of memory, faith, and the quiet moments that make up a life. If you are searching for authors who create a similar reading experience, here are some writers you might want to discover.
Readers who appreciate Alice McDermott’s thoughtful storytelling about the quiet yet profound moments of everyday life may also enjoy the works of Elizabeth Strout.
Strout captures the subtle emotions and complexities within ordinary relationships beautifully in her novel “Olive Kitteridge.”
Set in a small coastal town of Maine, the book explores the life of Olive, a retired teacher who navigates the various phases of aging, family dynamics, and community relationships.
Olive is neither perfect nor always likable, but her honesty and bluntness reveal profound insights into human life and relationships.
Strout’s talent lies in portraying ordinary characters with depth, humor, and empathy, qualities that echo the warmth found in McDermott’s narratives.
If you enjoy Alice McDermott’s insightful stories about family relationships and everyday life, Anne Tyler is another author you’ll probably appreciate.
Tyler’s novels closely examine ordinary people and the quiet dramas within their families, often set around Baltimore neighborhoods.
Her book “Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant” follows the Tull family over several decades after the father leaves, vividly capturing how each family member copes differently.
Through genuine and sometimes humorous moments, Tyler brings readers into the heart of family complexities and human connections, in a relatable way that echoes McDermott’s style.
Colm Tóibín is an Irish author whose stories center around quiet, finely observed lives and families shaped by subtle struggles and traditions—qualities readers of Alice McDermott will appreciate.
His novel “Brooklyn” follows Eilis Lacey, a young woman from small-town Ireland who emigrates to America in the 1950s. As Eilis adjusts to her new home, opportunities, romance, and unforeseen events pull her between two very different worlds.
Tóibín thoughtfully portrays the immigrant experience, highlighting the inner conflicts of belonging, love, and duty in a gentle yet powerful narrative.
Books by Marilynne Robinson are thoughtful, elegantly written, and often explore deep family relationships and faith. If you enjoy Alice McDermott’s quiet but powerful stories about everyday lives, Robinson’s “Gilead” may resonate deeply with you.
The book takes the form of a letter from aging Reverend John Ames to his young son. Ames shares stories of his life, family history, and the small-town wisdom and faith that shaped who he became.
Robinson beautifully shows the quiet beauty and complexity of ordinary lives through the reverend’s heartfelt reflections and his gentle contemplation of mortality.
Jhumpa Lahiri is an author who captures the quiet drama of everyday lives, much in the way Alice McDermott does. Lahiri’s book “The Namesake” follows Gogol Ganguli, born to Bengali parents newly settled in Massachusetts.
The novel explores Gogol’s struggle with identity, his immigrant parents’ expectations, and his desire to find meaning in his name and heritage. Lahiri excels at highlighting family relationships, subtle cultural conflicts, and the tension between tradition and change.
Her careful attention to detail and sensitive portrayals of ordinary experiences resonate with readers who appreciate the intimate storytelling style of Alice McDermott.
Readers who enjoy Alice McDermott might also appreciate the books of Sue Miller. Miller writes honest, nuanced stories about family dynamics and personal struggles.
Her novel “The Good Mother” explores the life of Anna Dunlap, a recently divorced mother who begins a passionate new relationship, only to face sudden challenges concerning her daughter’s wellbeing and custody.
Miller examines the complexities of love, parenting, and societal expectations with sharp insight and emotional depth. Her careful attention to character detail results in realistic portrayals that stay with readers long after the book ends.
If you enjoy Alice McDermott’s insightful portrayals of family life and community ties, Richard Russo is another author you may appreciate. Russo captures relatable human moments and flawed yet endearing characters in small-town settings.
His novel “Empire Falls” introduces you to Miles Roby, a kind-hearted diner manager in a once-thriving blue-collar town now nearly worn out by economic hardship.
Miles juggles family tensions, past regrets, and day-to-day struggles as he navigates various eccentric town personalities and powerful figures.
Russo’s storytelling pulls you into the ups and downs of ordinary people, making the story feel authentic, familiar, and deeply memorable.
Books by Maggie O’Farrell often explore family dynamics, human vulnerability, and moments of quiet drama. Readers who enjoy Alice McDermott’s delicate portrayals of everyday lives may find a similar warmth and depth in O’Farrell’s novels.
In “Hamnet,” O’Farrell takes readers into the private life of William Shakespeare, but the true heart of the book is Shakespeare’s family—especially his wife Agnes and their son Hamnet.
After tragedy suddenly strikes, the novel becomes an intimate portrait of grief, love, and resilience through Agnes’s eyes. Its beautiful, emotional storytelling casts new light on a familiar historical figure.
Readers who enjoy Alice McDermott might also appreciate the work of Claire Keegan, an Irish author known for her insightful stories about ordinary lives and complex family relationships.
Keegan’s novella “Foster” tells the story of a young girl sent away by her struggling parents to live with relatives she barely knows.
At first unsure and cautious, the girl eventually forms a tender bond with the family caring for her, discovering warmth and affection she’s never known before.
Keegan carefully portrays the quiet emotions beneath the surface of everyday moments, showing how small kindnesses can profoundly change a life.
Books by William Trevor often capture quiet yet profound human moments through richly drawn characters and subtle emotional landscapes. If you appreciate Alice McDermott’s thoughtful exploration of everyday lives, Trevor’s novel “Love and Summer” could resonate deeply.
Set in a small Irish town over a single gentle summer, the story follows Ellie Dillahan, a young married woman who gradually finds herself drawn to Florian Kilderry, a stranger passing through town.
Beautifully understated and emotionally perceptive, Trevor carefully examines the complexities of love, loneliness, and choices made in moments of quiet longing. The result is a realistic, bittersweet portrayal of ordinary people facing life’s unsaid tensions and yearnings.
Books by Amy Bloom often explore deep emotional and relational landscapes with vivid and insightful prose. Readers who enjoy Alice McDermott’s thoughtful character studies and perceptive storytelling may find Bloom’s novels equally rewarding.
Her book “Away” follows a young Russian immigrant named Lillian Leyb who arrives in America in the 1920s. On learning that her daughter may be alive, Lillian embarks on a daring journey across America toward Siberia.
The novel captures the immigrant experience, loss, hope, and resilience with sensitivity and clarity, each character portrayed with genuine empathy. Those drawn to McDermott’s subtle human portrayals in novels like “Charming Billy” could find Bloom’s “Away” deeply engaging.
Books by Kent Haruf offer a warm yet honest look at everyday lives in small-town America. If you’re fond of Alice McDermott’s authentic characters and thoughtful narratives, Haruf’s “Plainsong” will resonate deeply.
Set in Holt, Colorado, the story focuses on a set of quiet yet memorable characters: two elderly brothers who operate a cattle ranch, a high school teacher facing challenges at home, and a young pregnant student without family support.
The characters’ lives weave naturally together, creating a realistic portrait of community, compassion, and human resilience. Haruf’s simple, direct prose invites you into the lives of people you quickly come to care about.
Books by Alice Munro often explore the subtle yet profound emotions of ordinary lives. In her collection “Dear Life,” Munro presents readers with a series of stories about human connection, loss, love, and the small moments that shape our paths.
Each story is a quiet yet powerful portrait of people confronting turning points in their everyday experiences. For example, in “Amundsen,” a young teacher’s encounter with love in an isolated tuberculosis sanatorium leaves lasting effects on her life’s choices.
Munro’s careful observation of human behavior and her ability to convey deep emotions through simple details may appeal strongly to readers who enjoy Alice McDermott’s reflective and emotionally resonant storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Alice McDermott’s thoughtful narratives about family dynamics and personal struggles will likely appreciate Louise Erdrich’s storytelling.
Erdrich, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, often explores rich stories about family, identity, and the complexities of community life. Her novel “The Round House” centers on a boy named Joe, whose mother is violently attacked on their reservation in North Dakota.
Determined to find justice, Joe and his friends set out on their own search, uncovering truths about their own family ties, friendship, and tribal life.
The book is a powerful exploration of resilience, morality, and the challenges of adolescence in the shadow of traumatic events.
If you enjoy Alice McDermott’s intimate portrayals of family life and nuanced depiction of character relationships, you might appreciate Jane Smiley’s thoughtful storytelling.
Smiley’s novel “A Thousand Acres” reimagines Shakespeare’s “King Lear” on an Iowa farm, exploring deep family conflicts, hidden secrets, and the complexities between siblings and fathers.
As a seemingly ordinary family’s dynamics unravel, the reader witnesses how buried truths can slowly surface, shaking the very foundation of relationships once taken for granted.
Smiley’s emotional depth and careful attention to detail create an authentic rural backdrop, filled with richly developed, memorable characters.