If you enjoy reading books by Daniel Kehlmann then you might also like the following authors:
Umberto Eco blends historical ideas, puzzles, and intellectual mysteries in novels full of layers and hidden meaning. His book The Name of the Rose is a historical mystery set in a medieval monastery.
It explores themes of knowledge, power, and truth, wrapped within a detective story. Fans of Daniel Kehlmann who enjoy how history and philosophy play roles within fiction may also appreciate Eco.
Italo Calvino writes sharp, playful stories that blur the boundaries between reality and imagination. His fiction often experiments with style, structure, and storytelling, exploring abstract ideas in imaginative ways.
Invisible Cities is a good example—a book of poetic vignettes where Marco Polo describes different fantastical cities to Kublai Khan, each city symbolizing human experience, dreams, and desires.
Readers drawn to Kehlmann for inventive storytelling and perspectives may enjoy Calvino's unique approach.
Kazuo Ishiguro creates quiet yet powerful novels that explore memory, regret, and the complexity of human emotions.
Although different in tone from Kehlmann's humor and irony, Ishiguro shares a similar thoughtful approach to character development and nuanced exploration of human nature.
In The Remains of the Day, Ishiguro tells the story of a British butler looking back on his life, questioning the choices and assumptions that shaped him. Readers drawn to reflective and psychologically profound narratives might find a resonance here.
W.G. Sebald writes distinctive novels steeped in memory, history, and the subtle interplay between past and present. His prose combines narrative with photographs, essays, and travel writing to create melancholy yet deeply insightful reflections on European history and identity.
In his book Austerlitz, Sebald explores themes of memory, displacement, and loss through the eyes of a man attempting to reclaim his forgotten past. Kehlmann's readers who appreciate contemplative, richly-layered storytelling may also appreciate Sebald's emotional depth.
Julian Barnes writes clever, reflective novels, often examining the shifting relationship between memory, truth, and history. His writing style is elegant, sharp, and richly emotional without becoming sentimental.
His novel The Sense of an Ending examines memory and regret as the protagonist reflects on events from his past, questioning what really happened and how the narrative shapes personal reality.
Readers who enjoy Kehlmann's thoughtful narratives that provoke reflection would also find Barnes rewarding.
Ian McEwan writes novels that explore moral dilemmas, relationships, and the complexity of human emotions. His clear and precise prose draws readers into the inner lives of characters who face unexpected challenges.
In Atonement, McEwan weaves a story about misunderstanding, guilt, and the lasting consequences of a young girl's mistaken accusation, told vividly against the backdrop of World War II.
Patrick Süskind brings a dark, fantastic element to historical storytelling with striking originality. He creates unique characters and strong sensory detail, especially involving smell and intuition.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer follows Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a gifted but sinister figure obsessed with crafting the perfect scent, resulting in a story both fascinating and chilling.
José Saramago is known for blending imaginative stories with deep philosophical reflections. His writing style is distinct, marked by long sentences and minimal punctuation, inviting readers into his thought-provoking scenarios about society and humanity.
In Blindness, he portrays a gripping scenario where an unnamed city suffers an epidemic of blindness, a powerful story exposing human nature at its most raw and vulnerable.
Milan Kundera examines human relationships, history, and politics thoughtfully and playfully. His novels often use philosophical ideas and humor to illuminate the complexities and ironies of life.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being explores love and freedom through the lives of several characters during the politically charged atmosphere of 1960s and 1970s Czechoslovakia, prompting readers to consider life's meanings and contradictions.
Salman Rushdie mixes vivid imagination with historical and cultural references, presenting novels with magical realism and social commentary. He frequently addresses identity, religion, and cultural conflict.
In Midnight's Children, Rushdie tells the story of Saleem Sinai, born at the exact moment India gains independence, whose extraordinary life parallels his country's complex and tumultuous history.
Orhan Pamuk is a thoughtful Turkish author whose novels often blend history, philosophy, and cultural identity. He explores themes related to memory, the intersection of tradition and modernity, and his deep affection for Istanbul.
Pamuk's novel My Name is Red is a playful mix of historical fiction and mystery set in 16th-century Istanbul, weaving together art, religion, and murder.
Jorge Luis Borges is an Argentinian master known for short stories that break boundaries between imagination, reality, and literature itself. His clever puzzles and inventive plots question the nature of perception and knowledge.
One outstanding collection, Ficciones, showcases Borges' imagination, containing stories that challenge ideas about reality, infinity, and the limits of storytelling.
Roberto Bolaño is a Chilean novelist known for his dark humor and ambitious storytelling. He often tackles the shadowy side of literature, politics, and the experiences of exiles and outsiders.
Bolaño's novel 2666 is expansive and haunting, with multiple connected narratives that reflect on violence, art, and the mysteries of human experience.
Sjón is an Icelandic author with a poetic imagination and a gift for blending realism and mythological elements. His storytelling emphasizes the dreamlike quality of everyday life and the power of imagination.
One notable work, The Blue Fox, invites readers into a mystical Icelandic landscape and tells a story that combines folklore and human drama in captivating ways.
Christoph Ransmayr is an Austrian novelist whose works often combine historical events with imaginative elements and philosophical questions. His intricate narratives explore human nature, exploration, and the passage of time.
In his novel The Terrors of Ice and Darkness, Ransmayr tells the gripping tale of polar exploration, weaving past and present to reflect on obsession, isolation, and humanity's struggles against nature.