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List of 15 authors like Charles Dickens

If you enjoy reading novels by Charles Dickens then you might also like the following authors:

  1. 1
    Wilkie Collins

    Wilkie Collins wrote books full of mystery and drama. Two of his best-known works are “The Woman in White” and “The Moonstone.” Both are packed with twists and secrets that keep you hooked.

    His characters also feel real, with emotions and flaws that stand out. If you enjoy Charles Dickens, you might like Collins too. They both write about society, struggles, and human nature, though Collins adds more suspense to the mix.

  2. 2
    Victor Hugo

    Victor Hugo wrote stories with deep emotions and big social themes, similar to the way Charles Dickens did. Hugo’s “Les Misérables dives into poverty and justice, and “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” explores society’s treatment of outcasts.

    Both authors cared about struggles faced by ordinary people and used drama to show those struggles. If someone enjoys Dickens’ way of mixing powerful stories with tough realities, they’ll probably enjoy Hugo too.

  3. 3
    Elizabeth Gaskell

    Elizabeth Gaskell wrote stories about the struggles of ordinary people, kind of like Charles Dickens. Her novel “Mary Barton” looks at the hardships of workers in industrial towns, while “North and South” explores class divides and factory life.

    Both Gaskell and Dickens cared about social issues and showed how tough life could be for the poor. If you enjoy the way Dickens mixes heartfelt stories with sharp social commentary, you might find Gaskell’s work a great fit too.

  4. 4
    George Eliot

    George Eliot crafted powerful works that explore human relationships, societal constraints, and moral struggles. In “Middlemarch,” she depicts the intersecting lives of a provincial town with remarkable depth and realism.

    The Mill on the Floss” portrays the bond between siblings and the weight of personal sacrifice, set against the backdrop of family expectations. Her narratives resonate with rich characters and profound reflections on life.

  5. 5
    Anthony Trollope

    Anthony Trollope wrote stories about Victorian life, pulling readers into the worlds of everyday people, much like Charles Dickens did. His books, like “Barchester Towers” and “The Way We Live Now,” mix humor, sharp social commentary, and detailed characters.

    Trollope and Dickens both explore class, ambition, and human struggles, though Trollope’s style can feel quieter and more grounded. If you like Dickens for his vivid characters and reflections on society, you might enjoy Trollope too.

  6. 6
    Thomas Hardy

    Thomas Hardy, an influential figure in literature, crafted stories rooted in the struggles and passions of rural life.

    His novel “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” examines themes of innocence and societal judgment, while “Far from the Madding Crowd” offers a tale of love, resilience, and personal choice.

    Another work, “The Return of the Native,” explores human ambition and the tension between individuals and their environment. Hardy’s novels often reflect the complexities of human nature and fate.

  7. 7
    Leo Tolstoy

    Leo Tolstoy created rich stories that explore human nature and society with unmatched detail. His works like “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina” offer deep reflections on love, morality, and the struggles of life in a changing world.

    Readers who enjoy Charles Dickens might gravitate toward Tolstoy for his vivid characters, emotional depth, and ability to weave personal stories with broader social realities.

  8. 8
    Honoré de Balzac

    Honoré de Balzac wrote stories packed with drama and vivid characters, often showing the struggles of people across different social classes.

    In “Eugénie Grandet,” he dives into family greed and heartbreak, while “Père Goriot” gives an emotional look at a father’s sacrifices and the harsh realities of Parisian society. Another classic, “Lost Illusions,” paints a picture of ambition and betrayal.

    If you enjoy how Charles Dickens mixes memorable characters with sharp looks at society, you might find Balzac’s work just as engaging.

  9. 9
    William Makepeace Thackeray

    William Makepeace Thackeray, a master of satire and social commentary, crafted works that deeply explore human nature and class dynamics.

    His novel “Vanity Fair” paints a vivid portrait of ambition, vanity, and moral compromise, while “The History of Pendennis” offers a rich narrative about love, youth, and personal growth.

    Fans of Charles Dickens may find joy in Thackeray’s ability to blend humor with sharp depictions of societal issues, creating stories that resonate on both emotional and moral levels.

  10. 10
    Edith Wharton

    Edith Wharton wrote stories filled with sharp observations about society and the struggles of people trying to find their place in it.

    Her novel “The House of Mirth” follows a woman trapped between personal desires and social expectations, while “Ethan Frome” tells a tale of love, loneliness, and sacrifice in a quiet New England town.

    Another one, “The Age of Innocence,” explores love and duty in the world of upper-class New York. If you enjoy how Charles Dickens paints vivid pictures of society and its flaws, you might find Wharton’s works just as rich with detail and human conflict.

  11. 11
    Herman Melville

    Herman Melville wrote powerful stories that dive into deep human struggles and complex relationships. His novel “Moby-Dick” explores obsession and determination through the hunt for a massive white whale.

    Another great one, “Bartleby, the Scrivener,” tells the story of a man in a dreary workplace who starts resisting in the quietest way possible.

    Fans of Charles Dickens might enjoy Melville because both authors focus on flawed characters and tough social conditions, while their stories always carry a sense of humanity at the core.

  12. 12
    Emile Zola

    Emile Zola wrote stories that dive into social issues and everyday struggles, a bit like Dickens did. His novel “Germinal” looks at the harsh lives of coal miners, and “L’Assommoir” shows the hardships of working-class families in Paris.

    The Ladies’ Paradise” shows the rise of big department stores and the people caught up in it. If you enjoy how Dickens shines a light on poverty, class, and the human spirit, Zola’s work might grab your attention too.

  13. 13
    Mark Twain

    Mark Twain had a gift for telling stories about life and its ups and downs. His books often show vivid characters and a mix of humor and serious ideas, a bit like Charles Dickens’ work. “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is full of energy, childhood mischief, and small-town life.

    The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” digs deeper into questions about society and freedom, wrapped up in a river journey. If you enjoy characters that feel real and plots that mix lighthearted moments with serious themes, Twain’s work might catch your interest.

  14. 14
    Nathaniel Hawthorne

    Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote stories that often dig into human nature and moral struggles, kind of like Charles Dickens. He had a way of looking at society’s flaws and the weight of guilt.

    The Scarlet Letter” is his most famous work, about sin and judgment in a strict Puritan community. Then there’s “The House of the Seven Gables,” which weaves family curses and dark secrets.

    If you enjoy the rich emotions and depth in Dickens’ stories, you might find Hawthorne’s novels worth checking out.

  15. 15
    Fyodor Dostoevsky

    Fyodor Dostoevsky crafted powerful stories that explore human nature and societal pressures. In “Crime and Punishment,” he examines guilt and morality through the actions of a troubled man. “The Brothers Karamazov” presents deep family conflicts and philosophical questions.

    Fans of Charles Dickens might appreciate Dostoevsky’s focus on personal struggle, emotional depth, and the portrayal of characters pushed to their limits by social and economic challenges.