If you enjoy reading books by Daniel Defoe then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Daniel Defoe’s novels full of adventure, wit, and lively social commentary, you might also appreciate Henry Fielding. His novel “Tom Jones” combines sharp humor, exciting escapades, and a vivid portrayal of 18th century English society.
The story follows the journey of Tom, a spirited young man whose good heart frequently lands him in hilarious and complicated situations. Fielding surrounds Tom with a colorful mix of eccentric characters, scandalous romances, and clever insights into human nature.
Readers who liked the adventurous style and keen observations in Defoe’s writing will likely find Fielding’s storytelling equally entertaining and engaging.
Readers who enjoy Daniel Defoe’s adventurous tales and attention to detail might like exploring the novels of James Fenimore Cooper. Cooper is best known for his Leatherstocking Tales, a series set in early American history.
One standout from this series is “The Last of the Mohicans.” Set during the French and Indian War, the novel follows frontier scout Hawkeye and his Mohican companions Chingachgook and Uncas. They work together to rescue sisters Cora and Alice Munro from danger.
With intense battles, pursuits through the wilderness, and rich depictions of early American life, Cooper paints a vivid picture of courage, friendship, and endurance in the face of adversity.
Jonathan Swift was an Irish author known for his sharp wit and clever satire. If you’ve appreciated Daniel Defoe’s adventurous storytelling in “Robinson Crusoe,” then Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels” might catch your interest.
The novel follows Lemuel Gulliver, a ship surgeon who finds himself shipwrecked in extraordinary lands. Each land he visits offers sharp and funny commentary on human society.
In Lilliput, Gulliver towers like a giant among tiny citizens, cleverly mocking the politics and vanities of his time. The story weaves together fantasy and satire, offering adventure while inviting the reader to reflect on human nature.
Swift’s imaginative adventures, vivid worlds, and humorous satire are qualities Defoe’s readers can also appreciate.
Joseph Conrad was a Polish-British novelist who wrote tales of adventure at sea and exploration, focusing on morality, colonialism, and human psychology. If you enjoy Daniel Defoe’s realistic adventures, Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” is worth exploring.
The book tells the story of Marlow, a sailor who travels down an African river on a mission to find the mysterious ivory trader named Kurtz. Through Marlow’s eyes, Conrad explores the harsh impacts of European colonialism in Africa.
The further Marlow travels into the jungle, the deeper he confronts both external dangers and the unsettling darkness within human nature itself.
Conrad’s strong descriptions and thoughtful storytelling offer an exciting experience for those who like adventure stories with deeper reflections on morality and civilization.
Readers who enjoy Daniel Defoe might also appreciate Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson was a Scottish author famous for adventure tales filled with suspense and exploration.
One of his most popular novels is “Treasure Island,” a story of pirates, hidden gold, and dangerous voyages across the sea.
It follows young Jim Hawkins, who finds himself holding a treasure map that takes him aboard the ship Hispaniola and into conflict with the cunning pirate Long John Silver.
This novel offers thrilling moments at sea and vivid portrayals of greed, bravery, and deception on an unforgettable treasure hunt.
Samuel Richardson was an English novelist who shaped the early tradition of the English novel alongside authors such as Daniel Defoe. His best-known novel, “Pamela,” tells the story of a young maid whose virtue is persistently tested by her wealthy employer.
Richardson crafts Pamela’s struggles through letters that pull the reader into her emotions, choices, and moral strength.
Readers who enjoyed Defoe’s attention to personal journeys in novels like “Moll Flanders” or “Robinson Crusoe” might appreciate Richardson’s realistic depiction of individual struggle and societal themes.
Jack London is a writer known for lively adventure stories set in harsh and remote places. Readers who admire Daniel Defoe’s survival tale “Robinson Crusoe” may appreciate London’s “The Call of the Wild.”
This book follows the journey of Buck, a robust domestic dog taken from his California home and transported to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush. Buck must quickly adapt to his brutal new environment, escaping cruelty and confronting harsh wilderness.
The story explores themes of survival and instinct, drawing readers into Buck’s transformation from pampered pet to fierce pack leader. London’s writings offer a vivid look at humanity’s struggle with nature, fitting perfectly for readers drawn to Defoe’s gripping narratives.
John Bunyan was an English author famous for his vivid storytelling and allegorical fiction. If you enjoyed Daniel Defoe’s books like “Robinson Crusoe,” you might appreciate Bunyan’s classic, “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”
This story follows a man named Christian who sets out on a journey from his hometown, called the City of Destruction, toward the Celestial City.
Along the way, he faces various threats and temptations, meets helpful friends as well as dangerous enemies, and wrestles with difficult choices that test his faith and courage.
Bunyan creates memorable characters and situations that reflect real challenges and moral dilemmas, in a way that feels true to life despite being an allegory.
Readers who enjoy adventure stories with underlying meaning and thoughtful insights might find “The Pilgrim’s Progress” intriguing.
Rudyard Kipling was an English writer famous for adventurous storytelling and vivid descriptions of exotic settings. If you’ve enjoyed Daniel Defoe’s novels, Kipling’s “Kim” might appeal to you.
This novel tells the story of Kimball O’Hara, an orphaned Irish boy who grows up on the streets of India. Kim becomes involved in espionage, the Great Game between Britain and Russia, as he journeys across India with a wandering Tibetan lama.
The book captures the excitement of adventure and also explores complex relationships and questions of cultural identity. Readers who like high-stakes adventures set within richly detailed cultural backdrops might find Kipling’s “Kim” a worthwhile read.
Readers who enjoy Daniel Defoe’s adventure tales and satirical humor might appreciate exploring the works of Tobias Smollett. This Scottish author is known for lively narratives packed with humor, vivid characters, and bold adventures.
In Smollett’s novel “The Adventures of Roderick Random,” young Roderick sets out on a journey filled with twists and turns, as he tries to achieve success and fortune.
Through every misfortune and battle at sea, Smollett uses sharp wit to paint a colorful image of 18th-century society.
If you loved following Robinson Crusoe’s adventures or the social commentary in “Moll Flanders,” you’ll likely find Roderick Random’s lively escapades just as enjoyable.
Books by Washington Irving often have a realistic sense of adventure and engaging storytelling that readers who enjoy Daniel Defoe might appreciate. His short story collection “The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.” includes the popular tale “Rip Van Winkle.”
The story revolves around Rip, an easy-going villager who wanders into the Catskill Mountains one day and encounters mysterious figures who offer him a strange drink. After waking, Rip discovers he’s slept for twenty years. The world has significantly changed during his absence.
Irving blends humor, mystery, and vivid descriptions to explore how quickly society transforms, even in a quiet village.
If you’re drawn to stories that combine real-life details with just enough mystery to keep you turning pages, Washington Irving’s works might be worth exploring.
Readers who enjoy Daniel Defoe’s adventurous narratives may appreciate Alexandre Dumas, the master of historical adventure stories. Dumas combines exciting plots with sharp insights into human nature, creating unforgettable characters and thrilling conflicts.
His classic novel, “The Count of Monte Cristo,” follows Edmond Dantès, a young sailor falsely accused of treason and imprisoned unjustly. After a daring escape, Dantès emerges with a new identity and an ambitious plan for revenge against those who betrayed him.
This tale is full of suspense, action, and surprises, defying expectations until the very end.
Readers who enjoy Daniel Defoe’s realistic style and adventurous themes may appreciate Aphra Behn. She was an English writer in the late 17th century, known especially for her novel “Oroonoko.”
The book tells the tragic story of an African prince named Oroonoko, who is betrayed into slavery and brought to the English colony of Surinam.
Though a prince by birth, Oroonoko faces cruelty and injustice in the New World, all vividly portrayed by Behn’s clear and realistic prose. The novel explores themes of honor, freedom, love, and betrayal, set against a backdrop of colonial conflict.
Charles Dickens was an English novelist celebrated for vivid characters, engaging plots, and sharp social commentary. If you enjoyed Daniel Defoe’s attention to detail and portrayal of characters faced with hardships, you may appreciate Dickens as well.
In “Great Expectations,” Dickens creates a rich narrative around Pip, an orphan raised by his tough sister and kind blacksmith brother-in-law.
Pip unexpectedly receives the promise of wealth from an anonymous benefactor and becomes consumed by ambitions of social advancement and romantic ideals. But wealth and status come with secrets, betrayal, lost love, and the realization of what truly matters in life.
Dickens captures Victorian society brilliantly, highlighting struggles between poverty and wealth, social ambition, and the search for personal identity.
If you enjoy Daniel Defoe’s exploration of complex characters and suspenseful storytelling, Edgar Allan Poe might capture your imagination as well. Poe is known for his dark, atmospheric tales full of psychological depth and tension.
Check out his short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart.” It’s a chilling story about a man haunted by his guilt after he commits murder. Poe captures paranoia and fear in vivid detail.
The narrator tries to convince you he’s sane, but his frantic storytelling pulls you deeper into his madness. It’s a classic tale that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page.