If you enjoy reading books by David Wroblewski then you might also like the following authors:
Barbara Kingsolver writes novels that dive deep into family dynamics and people’s bonds with nature. Readers who enjoy David Wroblewski’s “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” may find themselves drawn to Kingsolver’s “Prodigal Summer.”
This novel weaves together the stories of three people in Appalachia whose lives intersect and echo each other’s longing for connection and understanding.
Kingsolver captures the lush Appalachian landscape and explores themes of loss, love, and renewal through her beautifully drawn characters.
If you like thoughtful and evocative stories with vivid settings and true-to-life characters, Barbara Kingsolver might become a new favorite.
Wally Lamb is a master storyteller known for deep character portraits and emotional narratives. Readers who enjoyed David Wroblewski’s “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” will find a similar depth of humanity in Lamb’s “She’s Come Undone.”
This novel follows Dolores Price, whose life unravels after traumatic childhood events. Her journey toward self-discovery is intense, heartbreaking, and beautifully honest.
Lamb’s engaging prose and authentic characters create a powerful reading experience, making Dolores’ story memorable.
Marilynne Robinson is an American author known for thoughtful, elegant storytelling filled with sensitivity toward human relationships and morality.
If you enjoyed the heartfelt exploration of family ties and emotional depth in David Wroblewski’s “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle,” Robinson’s novels may resonate deeply with you.
Her novel “Gilead” is a tender, reflective story told by John Ames, a seventy-six-year-old preacher writing letters to his young son. Ames chronicles moments of forgiveness, regret, and quiet joy within the history of their small Iowa town.
Robinson portrays the bonds between fathers and sons with grace and wisdom, crafting emotional depth from the subtleties of everyday life.
Annie Proulx is an American author who captures the raw essence of rural life through vivid storytelling and authentic characters.
Her novel “The Shipping News” follows the life of Quoyle, a struggling newspaper reporter who relocates with his daughters to his ancestral home in Newfoundland after a personal tragedy.
The harsh landscape shapes their experiences and the colorful community offers new beginnings and peculiar encounters.
Readers who appreciate the deep emotional pull and strong sense of place found in David Wroblewski’s works, like “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle,” will connect strongly with Proulx’s memorable characters and atmospheric storytelling in “The Shipping News.”
Books by Alice Hoffman often explore vivid landscapes and relationships filled with quiet magic and emotional depth. If you’re drawn to David Wroblewski’s heartfelt storytelling, take a look at Hoffman’s “The Story Sisters.”
This novel shows the lives of three sisters who create their own secret language as children. Throughout the years, they share dreams and dark stories, but hidden truths and personal tragedies slowly pull them apart.
Hoffman’s narrative gently weaves magic into everyday life, revealing each sister’s journey toward redemption and reconnection. This story highlights family bonds, painful separations, and the possibility of forgiveness, themes familiar to any fan of Wroblewski.
If you enjoy David Wroblewski’s thoughtful storytelling and exploration of small-town life, you might appreciate Richard Russo’s novels. Russo captures the humor, hardships, and quiet charm of working-class America.
One of his standout books is “Empire Falls,” a story set in a declining Maine town. Miles Roby runs the local diner and faces everyday struggles, family drama, and a quirky community whose hidden secrets slowly unfold.
The novel combines warmth with realism, showing how ordinary lives hold extraordinary moments. Russo builds characters that seem as real as your neighbors. His attention to detail makes the town feel lived-in and authentic.
Readers who enjoyed David Wroblewski’s “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” may also appreciate Louise Erdrich’s thoughtful storytelling and deep connections to family and nature.
In her novel “The Round House,” Erdrich introduces readers to thirteen-year-old Joe Coutts, a boy growing up on a North Dakota reservation. After his mother suffers a violent attack, Joe sets out to uncover what really happened.
His search leads him through powerful truths about justice, community bonds, and maturity. Erdrich offers vivid portrayals of reservation life, mixing heartfelt scenes with moments of quiet wisdom.
This book invites readers into the emotional world of a young protagonist shaped by challenging events.
Kent Haruf was an American author known for his clear, honest portrayals of ordinary people and small-town life. If you enjoyed David Wroblewski, you might appreciate Haruf’s vivid storytelling and sense of place. A great place to start is his novel “Plainsong.”
The book introduces you to Holt, Colorado, a fictional small town where the lives of several characters quietly intersect. There’s Victoria Roubideaux, a teenager who finds herself pregnant and alone, and the two elderly McPheron brothers—humble farmers who offer her shelter.
Haruf weaves their stories into a narrative that’s gentle yet powerful, capturing moments of dignity and kindness in everyday life.
Elizabeth Strout is an author who excels in crafting characters full of emotional depth and quiet resilience. Her novel “Olive Kitteridge” presents a series of interconnected stories set in a small coastal town in Maine.
Through the eyes of the title character, Olive—a retired schoolteacher with a blunt yet authentic view of life—the story explores loss, loneliness, and the subtle moments of connection that change people’s lives.
Readers who enjoyed David Wroblewski’s careful attention to detail and profound sensitivity in “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” might appreciate Strout’s thoughtful examination of human relationships and the ordinary struggles that shape who we become.
If you enjoy the emotionally rich and character-driven storytelling of David Wroblewski, Sue Monk Kidd might interest you too. Her novel “The Secret Life of Bees” follows 14-year-old Lily Owens on her journey through the American South in the 1960s.
After fleeing a troubled home with her caregiver Rosaleen, Lily finds refuge at a honey farm run by the warm and wise Boatwright sisters.
As Lily learns the art of beekeeping, she also uncovers family secrets and discovers what she truly longs for—acceptance and a sense of belonging.
Kidd’s thoughtful prose, memorable characters, and exploration of themes around identity, racism, friendship, and the strength of women create a rewarding read.
Readers who enjoyed David Wroblewski’s rich storytelling may appreciate Charles Frazier’s novels, particularly “Cold Mountain.” Set during the last days of the American Civil War, this novel follows Inman, a wounded soldier aiming to return home to his love, Ada.
On his long journey filled with danger and uncertainty, Inman encounters characters that reveal both kindness and brutality, painting a vivid picture of humanity during wartime.
While Inman travels, Ada struggles to survive on her neglected farm, finding strength in her friendship with the resourceful Ruby. Their stories intertwine beautifully, offering readers a powerful tale of love, resilience, and longing set against the backdrop of conflict.
Books by Jane Smiley often capture the complex bonds between humans and animals, a theme readers of David Wroblewski may appreciate.
In her novel “Horse Heaven,” Smiley brings together a diverse cast of characters whose lives intersect in the competitive world of thoroughbred horse racing.
The story offers an engaging look into the thoughts and feelings of owners, trainers, jockeys, and even the horses themselves. Smiley’s thoughtful exploration of ambition, affection, and sacrifice creates depth that resonates beyond the racetrack setting.
Those who enjoyed Wroblewski’s depiction of relationships with dogs in “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” may find similar emotional connection and captivating storytelling in Smiley’s vivid portrayal.
Delia Owens crafts vivid stories set against lush backdrops of nature, weaving powerful connections between humans and animals. In her novel “Where the Crawdads Sing,” Kya Clark grows up alone in North Carolina’s wild marshes, deeply isolated from society.
Owens builds a richly descriptive story of how Kya learns survival from observing local wildlife, as the marsh itself becomes almost a character in her life. When a mysterious death occurs in town, suspicion falls onto Kya.
The story blends mystery, emotional depth, and a profound appreciation of the natural world, themes readers of David Wroblewski and his novel “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” often enjoy discovering.
Tana French is an Irish-American author known for her atmospheric style and intense psychological storytelling. Her novel “In the Woods” is the first in her Dublin Murder Squad series.
Detective Rob Ryan investigates a chilling case involving the murder of a child near the same woods where he himself once disappeared as a young boy.
Ryan’s memories of the past become intertwined with his pursuit of the current killer, combining emotional depth with intricate detective work.
Fans of David Wroblewski’s layered character portrayals and complex dynamics in “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” may appreciate French’s rich characters and suspenseful narratives.
If you enjoy David Wroblewski’s heartfelt storytelling and deep exploration of complex family relationships, Ann Patchett might be the author for you. Her novel “The Dutch House” recounts the lives of siblings Danny and Maeve Conroy over five decades.
The Conroys grow up in a remarkable mansion in suburban Philadelphia, known simply as the Dutch House. After their mother leaves unexpectedly, their father soon remarries, and their childhood home becomes the stage for tensions, secrets, and shifting family bonds.
Narrated by Danny, the story reveals layers of loss and loyalty between brother and sister, set against the backdrop of a house they can neither forget nor reclaim. Patchett builds memorable characters whose humanity and struggles echo through each chapter.