If you enjoy reading books by Ann-Marie MacDonald then you might also like the following authors:
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author known for her sharp storytelling and imaginative worlds. One of her most famous books, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is set in a dystopian society where women have lost most of their rights and are forced into strict roles.
The story follows Offred, a woman trying to survive under oppressive rules while holding onto memories of her past life. The book blends personal struggles with a larger commentary about control and resistance, creating a story that feels both intimate and unsettling.
Alice Munro is a Canadian author known for her short stories that explore everyday lives with depth and heart. Her book “The Beggar Maid” follows the intertwined stories of Rose and her stepmother Flo in a small Ontario town.
The book captures Rose’s journey from her modest upbringing to her adult years. It balances moments of tension between Flo and Rose with slices of humor and warmth, all grounded in sharp, honest detail.
Carol Shields was a Canadian author known for writing about ordinary lives in a way that feels both intimate and meaningful.
Her novel, “Unless,” tells the story of Reta Winters, a writer and mother whose life is upended when her daughter, Norah, drops out of college and takes to sitting on a busy street corner with a sign that says “goodness.”
The book follows Reta as she tries to understand the mystery of Norah’s decision, exploring what it means to live a good life and the challenges women face in being heard and seen.
Shields’ writing captures everyday struggles and hidden beauty in a way that might appeal to someone who enjoys Ann-Marie MacDonald’s work.
Barbara Kingsolver is a gifted storyteller known for weaving rich narratives that explore human connections and the environment. Her novel, “The Poisonwood Bible,” tells the story of a missionary family who moves to the Congo in 1959.
Each chapter is told through the perspective of the women in the family, ranging from the strong-willed mother to the daughters with their unique voices. The book dives into their relationships, cultural clashes, and the impact of their father’s rigid, unwavering beliefs.
You’ll find moments of heartbreak and resilience as the family confronts challenges in a land far from home.
Sarah Waters is a British author known for historical fiction that often explores themes of love, identity, and secrecy. Her book “Fingersmith” is a twisting tale set in Victorian England.
It follows Sue, a young woman raised by petty criminals, who is hired to help con a wealthy heiress named Maud. As the two women grow closer, unexpected betrayals and dark secrets come to light.
The story moves between grand estates and grimy streets, bringing the era vividly to life. Fans of richly detailed, character-driven novels might find Waters’ work worth exploring.
Louise Erdrich is an author who writes stories that explore family bonds, identity, and history with deep emotional layers. In her book “The Round House,” she tells the story of a teenage boy named Joe living on a North Dakota reservation.
When his mother is attacked, Joe sets out to uncover the truth, learning more about the complexities of his family and community along the way.
The book captures the pain and strength of a family facing injustice, while weaving in the traditions and struggles of Native American life.
Elizabeth Hay is a Canadian writer known for her warm, subtle storytelling. Her novel “Late Nights on Air” is set in Yellowknife during the 1970s and captures the lives of a group working at a local radio station.
The story explores their personal connections against a backdrop of northern isolation. One memorable thread follows a wilderness trip inspired by the region’s untouched beauty, which tests the characters in unexpected ways.
Hay’s writing has a deep sense of place and relationships, which might appeal to fans of Ann-Marie MacDonald’s work.
Anne Michaels is a Canadian author known for her poetic and emotional storytelling. Her novel, “Fugitive Pieces,” explores how the past shapes the lives of those who carry its weight.
The story follows Jakob Beer, a young boy rescued from the horrors of World War II by a Greek geologist. As Jakob grows up, his journey is shaped by loss, memory, and the search for connection.
The novel brings landscapes and relationships to life, making every page vivid with meaning. Michaels has a way of making history feel personal, putting readers right inside her characters’ hearts and minds.
Fans of Ann-Marie MacDonald might enjoy her for how she captures the depth of human experience.
Joyce Carol Oates is an author who dives into the darker sides of human nature and family dynamics, which might appeal to fans of Ann-Marie MacDonald.
One of her standout novels, “We Were the Mulvaneys,” follows the unraveling of a seemingly perfect family after a traumatic event. Set in a small town, it explores how shame and silence can tear people apart, with each family member handling the aftermath differently.
Oates captures small, quiet moments that make the characters feel vivid and real.
Toni Morrison was an extraordinary storyteller who explored deep and emotional themes through rich characters and poetic language. Her novel “Beloved” centers on Sethe, a woman who has escaped slavery but remains haunted by its horrors.
Sethe lives with her daughter Denver when a mysterious young woman appears, calling herself Beloved. The story unfolds with a mix of memory and reality as Sethe confronts her past and the lengths she went to for her child.
It’s a powerful tale that examines motherhood, freedom, and the ghosts of history.
Jane Urquhart is a Canadian author known for her rich storytelling and strong sense of place. Her novel “The Stone Carvers” is a beautifully crafted tale that weaves together history, love, and art.
It follows the lives of Klara and Eamon, a woman with a gift for carving wood and a man devoted to building the Vimy Memorial in France after World War I. The book explores how their lives intertwine with the creation of this monument and how their past shapes their futures.
The mix of human resilience and the power of art gives the story an emotional depth that’s hard to ignore.
Sue Monk Kidd writes stories filled with rich characters and emotional depth. Her novel “The Secret Life of Bees” takes place in 1960s South Carolina and follows Lily, a young girl haunted by the memory of her mother.
After an incident forces her to flee her father, she finds refuge with three beekeeping sisters who teach her about love, forgiveness, and finding a place to belong.
The bees and their world carry a sense of wonder, and the relationships between the characters create a story that stays with you.
Gabrielle Roy was a Canadian author known for exploring human connections and life’s challenges. Her novel “The Tin Flute” is set in Montreal during the 1940s and follows the story of a young woman, Florentine, who works in a diner to help her struggling family.
She dreams of escaping poverty, but her love life becomes complicated when she meets two very different men. Roy captures the heartache and resilience of ordinary people trying to find their way in a harsh world.
This book paints a vivid picture of family dynamics and personal sacrifice.
Isabel Allende is a storyteller who weaves powerful narratives rooted in history, family, and emotion. Her book, “The House of the Spirits,” follows several generations of the Trueba family. It’s filled with drama, love, and a touch of the supernatural.
Clara, one of the central characters, has mysterious powers and keeps journals of her life, which later become key to the story. The novel explores relationships and the impact of political change on their lives.
It’s rich with unforgettable characters and moments that stay with you.
Madeleine Thien is a Canadian author known for the depth and emotion in her storytelling. Her novel, “Do Not Say We Have Nothing,” explores the lives of two Chinese families connected by music and the struggle for survival during political upheaval in 20th-century China.
The story moves through the Cultural Revolution and into the Tiananmen Square protests, showing how history shapes lives across generations. Thien’s focus on family and the bonds between characters might appeal to fans of Ann-Marie MacDonald.