If you enjoy reading novels by Cormac McCarthy then you might also like the following authors:
Both Faulkner and McCarthy explore the complexities of Southern life and human nature, using rich, dense prose. Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying” and “The Sound and the Fury” are classics that share similar themes of family, struggle, and the passage of time.
Known for her Southern Gothic style, O’Connor’s writing delves into the dark and grotesque aspects of human existence. Fans of McCarthy’s vivid character portrayals and moral complexities will find kindred spirits in her stories.
Hemingway’s minimalist, direct prose style and his focus on themes of violence, masculinity, and survival draw a parallel to McCarthy’s approach. “The Old Man and the Sea” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” offer gripping, straightforward narratives.
With his sprawling Western landscapes and deep character studies, McMurtry’s novels like “Lonesome Dove” capture the rugged, expansive feel familiar to readers of McCarthy’s works like “Blood Meridian.”
Best known for “True Grit,” Portis’s work often involves stark, vivid storytelling and a certain dry humor. His capable portrayal of frontier life can be appealing to McCarthy enthusiasts.
Haruf’s simple, yet evocatively written novels like “Plainsong” focus on the lives of ordinary people in small-town America, blending beauty and hardship in a way reminiscent of McCarthy’s narratives.
Harrison’s work often depicts the intertwining of nature and human struggles. His novella “Legends of the Fall” showcases his talents in portraying deep emotional and physical battles in rugged terrains.
McGuane’s novels set in the American West are rich with dark humor and complex characters. Books like “Ninety-Two in the Shade” offer a gritty yet compelling look at individual and societal struggles.
Famous for “Brokeback Mountain” and “The Shipping News,” Proulx’s writing deeply explores rural life and human trauma, presenting a raw and haunting narrative style akin to McCarthy’s.
Known for “The English Patient” and “Anil’s Ghost,” Ondaatje’s lyrical prose and intricate character studies delve deep into emotional and ethical complexities akin to McCarthy’s work.
With novels like “Serena” and “The Cove,” Rash’s work often centers around Appalachian life, its harsh realities, and intense interpersonal dramas, blending poetic prose with gritty themes similarly to McCarthy.
While DeLillo’s “Underworld” and “White Noise” tackle a different American landscape, his detailed explorations of violence, culture, and existential angst parallel McCarthy’s thematic tendencies.
With his lyrical description and dark, brooding narratives, Burke’s crime and mystery novels like “The Neon Rain” share a psychological depth and vividness that McCarthy fans would appreciate.
Books like “Jesus’ Son” and “Tree of Smoke” dive into the turmoil and existential pain of their characters’ lives, showcasing an unflinching look at the human condition much like McCarthy’s storytelling.