If you enjoy reading novels by Dodie Smith then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Dodie Smith’s charming stories and vivid characters, then Elizabeth Gaskell’s novels could be a wonderful discovery. Gaskell’s “Cranford” warmly portrays daily life in a small English village in the mid-1800s.
The novel focuses on a group of delightful yet proper middle-aged women who share friendship, gossip, and support through quiet days and unforeseen crises.
Gaskell captures gentle humor, social observations, and touching moments of humanity with a cozy depth that readers of Smith’s writing might appreciate.
Barbara Pym was an English novelist known for her sharp wit and keen observations of everyday life. If you enjoyed the charming humor and nuanced characters of Dodie Smith, you might appreciate Pym’s novel “Excellent Women.”
The story follows Mildred Lathbury, a gentle yet perceptive single woman who finds herself involved in the lives and romantic dilemmas of her neighbors and friends.
Set in post-war London, the book explores complex relationships and societal expectations with understated humor and warmth.
Mildred’s quiet yet perceptive voice guides the reader through subtle ironies and everyday human drama, making “Excellent Women” a rewarding and memorable read.
If you enjoy Dodie Smith’s witty observations and sharp humor, you might appreciate the works of E. M. Delafield. Her novel “Diary of a Provincial Lady” offers a humorous glimpse into everyday life through the eyes of a clever, relatable narrator.
Set in the English countryside, the book follows the diary of a middle-class woman who juggles domestic challenges, village social dynamics, and family responsibilities—all told with charm and authenticity.
Funny mishaps, awkward encounters, and domestic chaos fill the pages, giving the reader both laughs and insight into British society of the 1930s. Readers who love Dodie Smith’s lively, humorous style will feel right at home in Delafield’s delightful storytelling.
Books by Stella Gibbons offer readers a witty look into English life, full of humor and memorable characters. Her novel “Cold Comfort Farm” follows Flora Poste, a clever and sophisticated young woman who moves in with her eccentric relatives in the Sussex countryside.
At Cold Comfort Farm, Flora encounters a lively cast including gloomy cousins, a domineering aunt, and plenty of quirky farmhands. Flora decides to tidy up everyone’s messy lives and transform the neglected farm into something delightful.
Readers who enjoy Dodie Smith’s charming storytelling in “I Capture the Castle” will find a similar warmth and sharpness in Stella Gibbons’ work.
Nancy Mitford was an English novelist with a sharp wit and a talent for gentle satire. Readers who appreciate Dodie Smith’s blend of humor, charm, and affectionate observation of English society might truly enjoy Mitford’s writing.
Her novel “The Pursuit of Love” is a splendid example of her lively storytelling.
It follows the spirited life of Linda Radlett, whose romantic ideals and impulsive nature lead her into humorous adventures, passionate love affairs, and eccentric escapades among her unconventional aristocratic family.
Mitford portrays these characters with charm and warmth, providing readers a delightful look into the quirks and glamour of upper-class England in the early 20th century.
Elizabeth Jane Howard was an English novelist whose insightful fiction explores family life, romance, and human relationships. Readers who enjoy Dodie Smith’s affectionate exploration of domestic life and complex characters will find much to appreciate in Howard’s writing.
Her novel “The Light Years” is the first book of the Cazalet Chronicles, a sweeping family saga set in England before World War II. The story introduces us to the large and vibrant Cazalet family as they prepare for their annual holiday at their Sussex estate.
Through Howard’s skillful character portraits, readers are drawn deeply into family secrets, desires and fears. Her nuanced storytelling captures a world on the edge of change, quietly building the suspense of conflict and shifting traditions.
If detailed domestic settings, believable characters, and thoughtful emotional dramas appeal to you, then Elizabeth Jane Howard might become a treasured find.
Books by Eva Ibbotson often have the charm and warmth that fans of Dodie Smith appreciate. Ibbotson writes stories set in vivid worlds, full of whimsy and relatable characters.
Her novel “The Secret Countess” introduces readers to Anna Grazinsky, a Russian countess who flees to England after the revolution. Anna hides her noble origins and finds work as a housemaid at a grand estate.
There, she adjusts to a new life filled with quirky staff and intriguing discoveries. The novel is both romantic and humorous, capturing the reader with characters who feel genuine and situations that pull at the heartstrings.
Readers who loved the vibrant spirit and engaging storytelling in Dodie Smith’s “I Capture the Castle” may find Eva Ibbotson similarly appealing.
If you enjoy Dodie Smith’s charming storytelling and witty characters, Mary Wesley’s novels might be a great fit for your bookshelf. Wesley started publishing novels late in life, but she quickly gained a loyal following due to her sharp humor and intriguing family dynamics.
Her book “The Camomile Lawn” revolves around a group of cousins whose lives are transformed by the Second World War. Through summers spent at their aunt’s seaside home in Cornwall, readers meet characters who navigate love, loss, and the complexities of adulthood.
Wesley captures subtle emotions and family secrets in a crisp style readers of Smith will likely appreciate.
Readers who enjoyed Dodie Smith’s charming novels may also appreciate the warmth of L. M. Montgomery’s writing. Montgomery, a Canadian author, is best known for her classic story “Anne of Green Gables.” The book follows Anne Shirley, a spirited and imaginative red-headed orphan.
Anne is mistakenly sent to a brother and sister who planned on adopting a boy. Through trouble, humor, friendship, and adventure, she turns their quiet lives completely upside-down.
Montgomery’s vivid storytelling captures this engaging character perfectly, and readers quickly find themselves rooting for Anne as she navigates childhood mishaps and growing up in Avonlea.
Rosamunde Pilcher offers heartwarming and atmospheric stories that readers who enjoy Dodie Smith will likely find appealing.
Her novel “The Shell Seekers” follows Penelope Keeling, a determined older woman who reflects on her life and relationships through memories triggered by a prized family painting.
Set against a lovely backdrop of Cornwall and spanning from World War II to the 1980s, the novel skillfully moves between past and present. Pilcher vividly portrays family dynamics and the quiet beauty of everyday moments.
The touching characters and immersive storytelling create a memorable and richly emotional reading experience.
Readers who enjoy the charm and gentle wit of Dodie Smith may also find pleasure in Penelope Fitzgerald’s novels. Fitzgerald has a talent for capturing quiet moments and ordinary lives with subtle humor and insightful characters.
Her short novel “The Bookshop” is set in 1950s England and tells the story of Florence Green, a widow who opens a small bookshop in a sleepy coastal town. Florence’s simple desire soon meets the opposition of local residents who have their own ideas about culture and tradition.
Fitzgerald beautifully portrays how small acts of courage and persistence can quietly challenge the established ways of a community. This understated yet powerful story brings to life themes of resilience and gentle rebellion in the face of conformity.
Rumer Godden offers captivating stories set against memorable backgrounds and filled with well-drawn characters. If you enjoyed Dodie Smith’s warmth, humor, and ability to capture a sense of place, you’ll likely appreciate Godden’s novels.
Try “The Greengage Summer,” a vivid coming-of-age story set in a small French hotel. The tale follows five English siblings who suddenly find themselves on their own in France.
When their mother falls ill, they must navigate unexpected independence and the surprising attentions of hotel guests and staff. Godden captures the subtle shifts and tensions as childhood starts edging towards adulthood.
Her writing offers thoughtful, atmospheric storytelling that is both elegant and down-to-earth.
Georgette Heyer is an author known for witty dialogue, charming characters, and delightful period detail in historical romances and detective novels.
Fans of Dodie Smith may particularly enjoy Heyer’s novel “The Grand Sophy,” which follows the spirited and clever Sophy Stanton-Lacy as she comes to stay with her cousins in Regency London.
Sophy quickly turns the household upside-down with her independent attitude, matchmaking schemes, and amusing interventions in family dramas. It’s filled with colorful characters and sharp humor, creating an entertaining read with a great balance of heart and comedy.
Angus Wilson was an English novelist known for satire and astute observations about British society, particularly in the mid-20th century.
His writing often has sharp wit and vivid character portrayals reminiscent of Dodie Smith’s style, which readers of Smith’s novels will probably appreciate.
In his novel “Anglo-Saxon Attitudes,” Wilson tells the story of Gerald Middleton, an aging historian haunted by an archaeological scandal from his early career. As secrets surface, Middleton faces moral dilemmas and personal conflicts.
The story humorously exposes the pretensions and hypocrisies of academic life and English middle-class society, making it a good fit for readers interested in perceptive and humorous novels about human flaws and social expectations.
Noël Streatfeild is an English author known for heartwarming children’s stories with memorable characters. Readers who enjoy Dodie Smith’s warmth toward families and charming storytelling will likely find pleasure in Streatfeild’s “Ballet Shoes.”
This delightful novel follows three adopted sisters—Pauline, Petrova, and Posy—who each discover different talents in dance and performance as they attend a theater academy in London.
Despite their differences, the sisters come together beautifully through love, friendship, and shared dreams. The story is wonderfully engaging, full of sincerity, humor, and genuine emotion.