Dorothy West was a notable figure of the Harlem Renaissance. She focused primarily on fiction, exploring African-American middle-class life in novels such as The Living Is Easy and The Wedding.
If you enjoy reading books by Dorothy West then you might also like the following authors:
If you appreciated Dorothy West's exploration of race and class in African-American communities, you'll likely enjoy Nella Larsen. She writes with a subtle yet powerful approach about identity, race, and belonging.
Her novel, Passing, follows two Black women who can pass as white, raising questions about racial identity and the personal cost of crossing societal boundaries.
Jessie Redmon Fauset offers perceptive depictions of educated Black Americans in the early 20th century. Like Dorothy West, she addresses class struggles, societal expectations, and difficult family dynamics.
Her novel, Plum Bun, captures the challenges faced by a young woman who decides to pass for white, highlighting issues of race, gender, and self-discovery.
Zora Neale Hurston brings rich, authentic voices and vibrant dialogue to her stories. If Dorothy West's portrayals of community life and human nature appealed to you, you'll love Hurston's engaging and spirited style.
Her renowned work, Their Eyes Were Watching God, tells the story of Janie Crawford, a woman searching for love, independence, and her sense of self in a socially restrictive world.
Ann Petry's realistic and vivid portrayals of African American life might resonate with Dorothy West's admirers. Petry is known for her social awareness and sharp observation, powerful characters, and depictions of racial and economic struggles.
In her novel The Street, set in Harlem, she explores the strength and resilience of a single mother striving for a better life amid adversity and prejudice.
Readers of Dorothy West who appreciate lyrical, expressive writing about African-American identity will be intrigued by Gwendolyn Brooks. Best known for her poetry, Brooks captures everyday people's experiences with empathy and insight.
Her acclaimed collection, A Street in Bronzeville, paints moving portraits of Black urban life through unforgettable poetry.
Paule Marshall writes with warmth and insight about identity, heritage, and the immigrant experience. Her stories often highlight the struggles and resilience of Caribbean communities as they navigate new environments.
In her novel Brown Girl, Brownstones, Marshall explores a young girl's journey toward self-discovery amid family tensions and cultural conflicts in 1940s Brooklyn. Her keen observation and tender storytelling will appeal strongly to fans of Dorothy West.
Wallace Thurman's work offers frank and lively portrayals of race, identity, and social pressure during the Harlem Renaissance.
In his novel The Blacker the Berry, Thurman takes an honest, critical look at colorism within the African American community through the struggles of a young woman seeking acceptance.
Fans of Dorothy West will appreciate Thurman's fearless exploration of tough social truths and his vibrant, authentic style.
Toni Morrison's novels combine profound emotional depth with poetic language to bring attention to the complexity of black American life, relationships, and history.
Her acclaimed novel Beloved tells a powerful story rooted in the legacy of slavery and the impact of past trauma on personal identity and family.
Readers who appreciate Dorothy West's thoughtful portrayals of African American experiences might find Morrison's soulful, emotional storytelling equally appealing.
Alice Walker critically explores the lives of African American women with honesty and compassion. In her famous novel The Color Purple, Walker tackles challenging subjects such as racism, sexism, and domestic violence, focusing intensely on women's strength and resilience.
Like Dorothy West, her stories offer rich portrayals of complicated family relationships and community struggles, told in an accessible, deeply humane style.
James Baldwin's writing is honest, sharp, and moving. He deals openly with race, identity, sexuality, and religion in American society, giving his characters depth and vulnerability.
His novel Go Tell It on the Mountain follows a black teenage boy growing up in Harlem, wrestling with family expectations, religion, and internal conflicts.
Baldwin's perceptive perspective on identity and community aligns closely with themes Dorothy West often explored, making him a great author for West's fans to discover.
Langston Hughes is a beloved writer from the Harlem Renaissance recognized for his poetry, novels, and short stories that explore African American identity. Like Dorothy West, Hughes writes thoughtfully about racial and social issues through the lives of everyday characters.
His book, Not Without Laughter, portrays the struggles, hopes, and daily lives of a Black family in the Midwest, emphasized through warm, accessible storytelling.
Gloria Naylor writes heartfelt, character-driven stories about African American life and community, often focusing on women's lives and relationships.
If you appreciate Dorothy West’s sensitive depiction of family and society, you'd likely enjoy Naylor’s novel The Women of Brewster Place. This book beautifully brings to life the interconnected experiences of several Black women living in an urban housing community.
Andrea Lee writes nuanced, perceptive fiction highlighting race, class, and personal relationships, particularly involving African American women navigating complex social settings.
Her refined prose will appeal to fans of Dorothy West who enjoy clear-eyed looks at family dynamics and societal expectations.
One of her notable works, Sarah Phillips, explores the experiences of a young Black woman raised in a privileged, yet isolating world, examining how she relates to family, culture, and identity.
Danzy Senna writes honest, engaging stories that examine mixed-race identity and complex family relationships against a backdrop of race and cultural tensions.
Readers who appreciate West's focus on identity and familial complexity will connect with Senna’s thoughtful, engaging style. Her notable novel Caucasia tells the story of two sisters of mixed-race parentage facing identity issues and societal pressures in 1970s America.
Marita Bonner is an important voice from the Harlem Renaissance, known particularly for her candid and contemplative portrayals of African American women’s inner lives, struggles, and aspirations.
Similar to Dorothy West, Bonner examines themes of race, class, and gender with insight and empathy.
Her thought-provoking work The Purple Flower explores racial prejudice and suffering through symbolic and evocative drama, reflecting Bonner’s powerful ability to blend social commentary with artistic creativity.