Brit Bennett is an author many readers have come to admire. Her novels, like *The Vanishing Half*, really get into topics such as race, identity, and the complexities of family. She has a way of making you think about these issues.
If you found yourself drawn to her books and want to discover something similar, then you might want to explore other writers. This article points to authors who explore similar themes in their own novels.
Yaa Gyasi is an author known for weaving together stories that explore family, history, and identity. Her book, “Homegoing,” follows two half-sisters from 18th-century Ghana. One is sold into slavery and sent to America, while the other remains in Africa.
Through their descendants, the novel spans generations, showing how their lives are shaped by the scars of slavery and colonialism. It’s a story full of vivid characters and moments that stick with you.
If you enjoyed Brit Bennett’s focus on family and heritage, you might find Gyasi’s writing resonates in a similar way.
Tayari Jones is an author known for writing stories about families, relationships, and the ways people struggle with love and loyalty.
Her novel, “An American Marriage,” tells the story of Celestial and Roy, a young Black couple whose lives are turned upside down when Roy is falsely accused of a crime and sent to prison.
While Celestial tries to move forward, their marriage is tested in ways neither of them could have imagined. The book explores how distance, time, and circumstances shape their bond in deeply personal ways.
It’s a beautifully told story that gets to the heart of what it means to hold onto love when life pulls you apart.
Jesmyn Ward is an author known for her powerful storytelling rooted in the deep South. Her novel “Sing, Unburied, Sing” follows Jojo, a 13-year-old boy, as he embarks on a road trip with his drug-addicted mother to pick up his father from prison.
Along the way, Jojo navigates family tensions, love, and the weight of generational struggles, while the ghosts of the past make their presence known. Ward weaves together themes of family and history in a way that feels urgent and poignant.
Colson Whitehead is an author known for writing stories that tackle big ideas through personal and engaging narratives. In his book “The Nickel Boys,” he tells the story of Elwood Curtis, a Black teenager in 1960s Florida.
Elwood’s life takes a harsh turn after he is sent to a brutal reform school called the Nickel Academy. The school, posing as a place for discipline and education, hides a dark, violent reality.
As Elwood tries to hold onto his ideals of justice and hope, he befriends Turner, a boy whose outlook couldn’t be more different. Their bond is tested by the harsh world they’re trapped in.
Whitehead captures the pain and strength of his characters, creating a story that stays with you.
Jacqueline Woodson writes stories that focus on family, identity, and how people connect with one another. Her book, “Red at the Bone,” examines how a teenage pregnancy affects two families across generations.
The story gives glimpses into different characters’ lives and memories, showing the ways their choices shape who they become. It’s a beautifully woven tale with layers of history and emotion that leave a lasting impression.
If you enjoy Brit Bennett’s rich storytelling, you might find Woodson’s work equally rewarding.
Angie Thomas is known for writing powerful, heartfelt stories that explore the lives and struggles of young Black characters.
In her debut novel, “The Hate U Give,” she tells the story of Starr Carter, a 16-year-old girl who witnesses the police shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil.
The book follows Starr as she navigates the aftermath, confronting racism, injustice, and the impact of speaking out. It’s an honest and moving story that captures both personal grief and the broader challenges faced by her community.
Bernardine Evaristo is a British author known for creating bold and imaginative stories about identity, race, and relationships.
Her novel “Girl, Woman, Other” weaves together the lives of twelve characters, primarily Black women in Britain, spanning generations and different walks of life.
Each character’s story touches on their struggles, triumphs, and connections to one another, forming a rich tapestry of experiences. If you enjoy deeply personal narratives and characters who feel real, this book might appeal to you.
Celeste Ng writes stories that explore family relationships, identity, and the weight of personal choices. Her novel “Little Fires Everywhere” focuses on two families in a suburban Ohio community.
The picture-perfect Richardson family crosses paths with Mia Warren, an artist with a mysterious past, and her teenage daughter, Pearl. As their lives intertwine, secrets and conflicts begin to surface.
The book looks at privilege, race, and the consequences of our decisions in ways that feel personal and impactful. Fans of Brit Bennett’s themes of family and identity will find this worth a read.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writes stories that explore identity, family, and the connections between people. Her novel “Half of a Yellow Sun” is set during the Nigerian Civil War and follows characters whose lives are shaped by the conflict.
Among them are a university professor, his young houseboy, and a woman who leaves a privileged life to experience something deeper. The book captures the complexity of human relationships in the face of hardship.
Readers are drawn into the characters’ struggles and hopes as they navigate love, loss, and loyalty.
Zadie Smith is an author known for exploring complex family dynamics and cultural identity in her work. Her novel “Swing Time” follows two girls who dream of becoming dancers. One has natural talent; the other has ambition.
Their friendship weaves through childhood and adulthood, shaped by race, class, and the pull of their individual paths. The story moves between London, Africa, and New York, presenting the bonds and divisions that define their lives.
Smith paints characters with depth, bringing their struggles and dreams vividly to life. If you enjoy emotional, character-driven stories, this could be a great read.
Nafissa Thompson-Spires is an author who writes sharp and thoughtful fiction. Her book “Heads of the Colored People” is a collection of stories that looks at Black identity in modern America.
One story follows a woman who becomes obsessed with achieving social media fame, while another explores the tense relationship between two mothers after a heated school incident. The stories are layered with humor, awkward moments, and uncomfortable truths.
Thompson-Spires has a knack for capturing the strange, ordinary, and human side of her characters.
Ayana Mathis is an author whose work dives into deep emotional landscapes and family connections. Her debut novel, “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie,” follows Hattie Shepherd, a young woman who moves to Philadelphia during the Great Migration.
The story traces Hattie’s life and the lives of her children over decades, showing the weight of her struggles and the sacrifices she makes for her family.
Each chapter shifts focus to one of her children, revealing how her strength and decisions shape their lives in different ways. Mathis writes with a focus on generational pain and resilience, bringing her characters to life in a way that’s hard to forget.
Raven Leilani is an author known for her sharp and vibrant storytelling. Her debut novel, “Luster,” follows Edie, a young Black woman navigating her messy twenties while caught up in an open marriage with an older man.
The story explores her struggles with work, self-worth, and belonging in a house where dynamics get messy and personal boundaries blur. Leilani’s writing is bold and full of striking moments, making her a great pick for fans of Brit Bennett.
Imbolo Mbue is an author who writes about human struggles in a way that feels deeply personal. Her book “Behold the Dreamers” tells the story of Jende and Neni, a couple from Cameroon who move to New York in search of a better life.
Jende works as a chauffeur for a wealthy banker, while Neni takes a housekeeping job in the banker’s home. Through their eyes, the divide between privilege and hardship becomes clear.
The story is rich with moments that show their hopes and sacrifices as they navigate an America that doesn’t always deliver the promises they dreamed about.
Brit Bennett writes stories that explore family, identity, and the weight of secrets. Her novel, “The Vanishing Half,” follows the lives of two twin sisters who grow up in a small Southern town but choose very different paths.
One sister embraces her Black identity while the other passes for white and lives a completely different life. Their choices ripple through the lives of their daughters, showing how decisions can shape generations.
If you enjoy layered, character-driven stories about family and personal choices, you might also enjoy authors like Tayari Jones or Celeste Ng.