If you enjoy reading books by Arthur Golden then you might also like the following authors:
Lisa See is an author who brings Chinese history and culture to life through her stories.
In her novel “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” she focuses on the friendship between two women in 19th-century China, starting from their childhood and lasting through marriages, families, and betrayals.
Through their secret writing on a folding fan, they navigate a world that tightly controls their lives. The book paints a vivid picture of traditions such as foot binding and the deep yet complicated bond between the two women.
Amy Tan is an author who often explores the bonds between mothers and daughters, as well as the impact of cultural heritage. Her book “The Joy Luck Club” focuses on four Chinese-American families and how their stories overlap.
It’s about relationships between mothers who immigrated to America and their daughters who were born there. One story includes a mother whose warnings about her daughter’s poor decisions seem harsh at first, but they carry layers of love and wisdom.
The characters feel real and their struggles hit close to home. Tan weaves past and present together, showing the sacrifices and misunderstandings between generations.
Min Jin Lee is an author who crafts stories about identity, family, and resilience. Her novel, “Pachinko,” spans generations of a Korean family living in Japan.
It begins with a young woman’s unplanned pregnancy and an offer of marriage from a stranger who promises to protect her. The story moves through the family’s struggles with discrimination, survival, and their search for belonging in a country that treats them as outsiders.
Fans of “Memoirs of a Geisha” might enjoy the vivid historical settings and deeply human characters.
Khaled Hosseini is an author known for his emotional storytelling and rich characters. In his novel “The Kite Runner,” the story follows Amir, a boy from Afghanistan, as he navigates friendship, betrayal, and redemption.
Set against the backdrop of Kabul’s changing political landscape, the book starts with Amir and Hassan, two boys who share a bond despite coming from different social classes.
Their lives take a dramatic turn after a kite-flying competition that leads to a heartbreaking betrayal. Years later, Amir must confront his past and seek to make amends. The book combines family ties and personal struggles with the weight of historical events.
Yann Martel is a Canadian author best known for his novel “Life of Pi.” The story follows a young boy named Pi, who survives a shipwreck and ends up stuck on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger.
The book draws you into Pi’s unique way of seeing the world, blending his interest in religion and science with the challenges of survival. There’s a mix of danger, unlikely companionship, and moments that make you question what’s real.
If you enjoy stories with vivid characters and rich storytelling, Martel is worth checking out.
Gail Tsukiyama is an author known for crafting historical stories with rich cultural settings.
One of her books, “The Samurai’s Garden,” follows a young Chinese man named Stephen who, while recovering from tuberculosis, travels to his family’s summer home in a small Japanese village.
There, he forms bonds with the reserved caretaker, Matsu, and begins to uncover the quiet strength of the people around him. The book captures the rhythm of village life and explores themes of healing, friendship, and loss, all in a setting shadowed by the tensions of wartime.
Fans of Arthur Golden might enjoy how Tsukiyama brings history and relationships to life in her writing.
Isabel Allende is a storyteller known for weaving rich, emotional narratives into historical settings. Her novel “The House of the Spirits” blends family drama with a touch of the supernatural.
It follows generations of the Trueba family as they navigate love, power, and political upheaval in Chile. The characters are unforgettable, from Clara, who communicates with spirits, to Esteban, whose ambition and temper shape the family’s path.
The mix of personal and historical events gives the book a unique depth that draws readers into the world she creates.
Jamie Ford is an author known for exploring deep human connections and moments of history in his work. His novel, “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,” is set in Seattle during World War II.
The story follows a Chinese-American boy, Henry, as he befriends a Japanese-American girl, Keiko, at a time when Japanese families are being sent to internment camps.
The tale moves between Henry’s youth and his later years, where he uncovers a past he thought he had left behind. This book captures personal struggles and societal divides through the eyes of a young boy navigating his first love.
Ken Follett is a master storyteller known for weaving historical events into rich narratives. In “The Pillars of the Earth,” he takes readers to twelfth-century England, where a small town becomes the backdrop to the construction of a grand cathedral.
The story follows the lives of builders, clergy, and nobility, whose ambitions and struggles are deeply tied to the towering structure. The book is packed with vivid characters and twists rooted in the harsh realities of medieval life.
If you enjoyed the depth of culture and history in “Memoirs of a Geisha,” Follett’s world-building might captivate you.
Eowyn Ivey writes stories that often blend vivid settings with deeply human emotions. One of her novels, “The Snow Child,” is set in 1920s Alaska and follows a couple, Jack and Mabel, who are struggling with the isolation and challenges of homesteading.
One winter, they build a girl out of snow, and the next day, a mysterious child appears in the woods. The girl seems connected to the snow but also feels alive in a way that pulls the couple into her world.
The story captures the harsh beauty of Alaska and the longing for connection that defines the characters. If you liked the heartfelt storytelling in “Memoirs of a Geisha,” her writing might catch your attention.
Anchee Min is known for her vivid storytelling that brings Chinese history and culture to life through personal and emotional narratives.
Her novel “Empress Orchid” follows the journey of a young girl named Orchid who becomes a concubine in the Forbidden City during the final years of the Qing dynasty. As she navigates the dangerous world of palace politics, she rises to power as the last empress of China.
The story paints a rich picture of her struggles, sacrifices, and resilience in a turbulent era. Fans of Arthur Golden’s work might enjoy the way Min captures the human side of historical figures against the backdrop of a fascinating time period.
Rose Tremain is an author known for creating rich, character-driven stories that often explore different cultures and time periods.
One of her notable works, “The Colour,” follows Joseph and Harriet Blackstone, a young English couple who travel to New Zealand during the gold rush of the 1860s. The novel takes a deep look at their struggles in a harsh and unfamiliar land.
Joseph becomes consumed with finding gold, while Harriet faces isolation and questions her choices. The story captures the challenges of survival, ambition, and love against the backdrop of a rugged and untamed landscape.
Sarah Waters writes historical fiction that often explores complex relationships and vivid period settings. Her book “Fingersmith” tells the story of Sue, a young woman raised among thieves in Victorian England. Sue is drawn into a plot to swindle an heiress out of her fortune.
The twists are sharp, and the betrayals hit hard, keeping the reader guessing. Waters has a knack for pulling you deep into the grit and glamour of the past.
Monica Ali is an author who captures the clash of cultures and the weight of personal choices. Her novel “Brick Lane” follows Nazneen, a Bangladeshi woman who moves to London for an arranged marriage.
The story explores her life in a foreign city, her struggles with her husband, and her awakening to her desires and independence. The book paints a vivid image of London’s immigrant community and the personal battles that shape identity.
Colleen McCullough was an Australian author known for her richly detailed storytelling. One of her most famous books, “The Thorn Birds,” is a multigenerational saga set in the Australian Outback.
It follows the Cleary family, focusing on the forbidden love between Meggie Cleary and a Catholic priest, Father Ralph. The story explores family ties, ambition, and heartbreak, all unfolding against the backdrop of a rugged and unforgiving landscape.
Fans of Arthur Golden’s ability to transport readers to another world may enjoy McCullough’s vivid settings and complex characters.