Chris Bohjalian’s novels often grab you from page one. He is a writer who can weave a story around historical events, or he can explore difficult contemporary issues. Think about books like *The Guest Room* or *The Sandcastle Girls*.
His characters always feel like real people, and they grapple with complicated situations. For readers who appreciate this kind of storytelling, you might search for authors with a similar style. Here are a few writers to explore if you are a fan of Bohjalian.
Readers who enjoy Chris Bohjalian’s thoughtful storytelling and character-driven dramas may appreciate novels by Jodi Picoult. Picoult specializes in emotionally complex stories that challenge conventional views on family and morality.
In “My Sister’s Keeper,” Picoult examines the ethical dilemma faced by the Fitzgerald family, whose daughter Anna was conceived specifically as a bone marrow donor for her older sister Kate, who suffers from leukemia.
At thirteen, Anna decides to sue her parents for medical emancipation, forcing her family to confront difficult issues about choice, sacrifice, and the meaning of family bonds.
The narrative switches between different family members, offering unique perspectives on love, duty, and identity. Picoult’s sensitive handling of difficult emotional terrain and moral questions will resonate strongly with fans of Bohjalian.
Alice Hoffman is a writer known for her absorbing blend of history, magical realism, and rich storytelling that appeals to fans of Chris Bohjalian. Her novel “The Dovekeepers” follows the lives of four women who seek refuge in Masada during the fierce siege by the Romans.
Each character shares a powerful story filled with bravery, loss, love, and the quiet strength of sisterhood.
Hoffman’s narrative offers a deep look at ancient history, superstition, and the resilience of the human spirit, making it a good choice for readers who value historical depth, emotional intensity, and detailed character development.
If you enjoy Chris Bohjalian’s thought-provoking novels that weave family secrets with moral dilemmas, you might appreciate Diane Chamberlain’s books. Chamberlain has a talent for creating relatable characters who face tough emotional choices.
In her novel “The Silent Sister,” Riley MacPherson returns home after her father’s death and stumbles upon a shocking discovery—her sister Lisa, who was presumed dead decades ago after a tragedy, may still be alive.
Riley’s search for answers soon uncovers layers of secrets hidden by her family, forcing her to confront truths about her loved ones she never imagined.
Chamberlain keeps readers guessing with twists and character-driven storytelling, much in the style that makes Bohjalian’s books so engaging.
Books by Kristin Hannah often explore complex relationships, emotional struggles, and difficult choices during challenging historical times. If you enjoy novels by Chris Bohjalian, Kristin Hannah’s “The Nightingale” might resonate with you.
Set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, the story follows two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle. Each faces the war in her own way.
Vianne tries to protect her family while dealing with the enemy soldiers billeted in her home, while Isabelle works secretly with the resistance. Their experiences highlight courage, sacrifice, and the strength women show during dark times.
Hannah’s storytelling brings history vividly to life through characters you will genuinely care about.
Anita Shreve was an American author known for her emotionally charged storytelling and complex characters, qualities readers of Chris Bohjalian often admire. Her novel “The Pilot’s Wife” explores the mysterious aftermath of an airplane crash.
Kathryn Lyons, the pilot’s wife, learns troubling secrets about her marriage as the investigation into the accident unfolds. Shreve carefully examines personal relationships, grief, and secrets, thoughtfully leading readers through Kathryn’s struggles and discoveries.
This thoughtful, suspenseful exploration of loss and hidden truths might appeal to readers who enjoy Bohjalian’s character-driven narratives and subtle mysteries.
Readers who enjoy Chris Bohjalian might also appreciate Elizabeth Berg’s thoughtful storytelling and vivid exploration of human emotions. Her novel “Open House” centers on Samantha, a woman facing the end of her marriage.
As she navigates the unexpected challenges of divorce, Samantha opens her home to quirky boarders. Through humor, resilience, and deep self-discovery, Samantha’s experiences beautifully reveal the complexities of starting over and redefining personal happiness.
Berg creates relatable characters and genuine conflicts, offering stories filled with warmth and sincerity.
Sue Monk Kidd is an author whose novels often focus on the strength of characters who face life’s hardest moments. In her book “The Secret Life of Bees,” she tells the story of Lily Owens, a girl haunted by the memories of her late mother.
Lily runs away with her caretaker Rosaleen. They find shelter with the Boatwright sisters, three beekeeping women who introduce Lily to the secrets of bees, honey, and a sense of belonging.
Set in the South during the Civil Rights Movement, this story explores themes of family secrets, forgiveness, and finding love in unexpected places.
For readers familiar with Chris Bohjalian’s attention to the depth of human relationships and emotional storytelling, Sue Monk Kidd’s novels provide a similarly rich and vivid reading experience.
Barbara Kingsolver is an author known for exploring complex characters and moral dilemmas in thoughtful narratives, which readers of Chris Bohjalian will appreciate.
Her novel “The Poisonwood Bible” tells the story of the Price family, led by a determined missionary father who moves his wife and daughters from America to the Belgian Congo.
The novel paints a detailed portrait of family dynamics, conflicting values, and the clash between idealism and reality, set against the backdrop of a nation in turmoil.
Kingsolver brings each character vividly to life, making you consider their choices and viewpoints even when you disagree with them. Her thoughtful storytelling and skill for capturing real human struggles will resonate strongly with fans of Bohjalian’s work.
Readers who enjoy Chris Bohjalian’s thoughtful storytelling might also appreciate Wally Lamb. Lamb’s novel “I Know This Much Is True” explores family, mental illness, and personal struggle with honesty and emotional depth.
The story centers around Dominick Birdsey, whose twin brother Thomas suffers from schizophrenia. After Thomas commits a dramatic and tragic act, Dominick must confront his family’s past and his own inner conflicts.
Lamb skillfully portrays complex relationships and characters you can’t help but care deeply about. The narrative weaves through past and present, reflecting on how family legacies shape identity and resilience.
If you enjoy Chris Bohjalian’s storytelling style, then Ann Patchett’s novels might appeal to you as well. Patchett writes stories filled with rich characters and complex emotional landscapes that keep readers engaged.
Her novel “Commonwealth” explores how one impulsive decision can echo through generations. At a christening party, an unexpected kiss between two people married to others sets off events that shape the lives of two families for decades.
With humor, sadness, and beautiful clarity, Patchett reveals the depth of family ties and the subtle ways past choices affect the future.
Tana French is an Irish-American author best known for her Dublin Murder Squad series and psychological suspense novels. Readers who enjoy Chris Bohjalian’s engrossing mysteries and thoughtful character exploration might appreciate French’s novel “In the Woods.”
This story introduces Detective Rob Ryan, haunted by a traumatic event from his childhood that he can’t fully recall. When a young girl’s murder takes place near the woods where Rob’s own past tragedy happened, he must confront old memories and hidden fears to unravel the case.
French crafts rich, intricate characters and sharp dialogue, creating suspenseful stories with emotional depth.
If you enjoy Chris Bohjalian’s novels about family secrets and moral dilemmas, Celeste Ng’s writing might resonate with you as well. Ng crafts stories loaded with emotional depth, exploring the complexity of familial bonds and the subtle tensions hidden beneath daily routines.
In her novel “Little Fires Everywhere,” the picture-perfect suburb of Shaker Heights, Ohio, is disrupted when the mysterious artist Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl arrive.
The Richardson family becomes drawn to Mia and Pearl, but soon conflicts over motherhood, privilege, and race develop and threaten the community’s harmony.
Ng carefully exposes how seemingly small actions can lead to significant consequences, making this a thoughtful and deeply human read for anyone drawn to hidden truths and provocative questions about family dynamics.
Heather Gudenkauf is an author who creates suspenseful, emotionally rich novels with relatable characters and realistic plots. If you’re a fan of Chris Bohjalian’s suspense and strong storytelling, Gudenkauf might interest you.
Her novel “The Weight of Silence” follows the sudden disappearance of two young girls, Calli and Petra, from a quiet Iowa town. As the families confront their fears, carefully hidden secrets begin to surface, revealing truths that shake their community.
Gudenkauf reveals her characters layer by layer, allowing readers to connect deeply with their struggles and resilience. The narrative moves from one perspective to another, showing readers the thoughts and motivations behind each person’s actions.
Books by E. L. Doctorow offer thoughtful storytelling, vivid characters, and historical settings that fans of Chris Bohjalian will appreciate.
Doctorow often blends fiction with real historical events to create atmospheric novels filled with quiet drama and complex relationships.
His novel “Ragtime” portrays America at the turn of the twentieth century, weaving together fictional families with historical figures such as Harry Houdini, Emma Goldman, and Henry Ford.
Against a background of great technological innovation, racial tension, and social change, the stories of these varied characters intersect and affect one another in surprising ways.
Doctorow’s novels explore human nature through personal experiences and historical themes with sensitivity and depth.
Lisa See is an author who captivates readers with thoughtful stories, intricate family bonds, and powerful cultural themes. If you enjoy Chris Bohjalian, you’ll appreciate Lisa See’s novel “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.”
The book unfolds in nineteenth-century China and tells the story of Lily and Snow Flower, two friends bound together by a secret writing called “nu shu.”
Through hidden messages on a silk fan, they share hopes, dreams, and emotional journeys as they grow from young girls into women. The novel beautifully explores friendship, sacrifice, and tradition, set vividly against the backdrop of an intriguing historical period.