If you enjoy reading novels by Eimear McBride then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who appreciate Eimear McBride’s intense and experimental storytelling may also find themselves drawn to Anna Burns.
Her novel “Milkman” takes place in Northern Ireland during the Troubles and follows a young woman whose life becomes complicated when an older, mysterious man known as the Milkman shows unwanted interest in her.
Burns offers a unique narrative voice that explores what happens when gossip and rumors begin to shape a community, and the challenges her protagonist faces while trying to stay invisible in a society filled with suspicion and fear.
For those interested in vibrant prose and novels that push narrative boundaries, Anna Burns’ “Milkman” could offer an intriguing reading experience.
Readers who appreciate Eimear McBride’s experimental and emotionally intense narratives may find a connection with James Joyce. Joyce, an Irish writer famous for pushing literary boundaries, crafts language in ways challenging, poetic, and thought-provoking.
His groundbreaking novel, “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,” follows Stephen Dedalus from childhood to adulthood. Joyce uses innovative narrative techniques to explore Stephen’s thoughts, struggles with faith, and pursuit of identity.
The deeply personal storytelling and stylistic boldness Joyce brings to life could resonate strongly with those drawn to McBride’s unique voice and narrative approach.
Readers who appreciate Eimear McBride’s experimental style may find Samuel Beckett equally intriguing. Beckett is famous for his stark, minimalist approach and exploration of human consciousness.
His novel “Molloy” follows two distinct characters through strange, ambiguous narratives full of introspection and dark humor. Molloy himself embarks on an uncertain journey to find his mother and navigates bizarre encounters and absurd events.
Beckett plays with language and structure to strip down reality to its bare essence, which may resonate deeply with fans of McBride’s unconventional storytelling.
Ali Smith is a Scottish author known for vibrant prose and inventive storytelling that bends literary conventions. If you’re a fan of Eimear McBride’s intense style and emotional storytelling, Ali Smith might resonate with you.
Her novel “How to be Both” weaves two distinct narratives in one book.
One follows a teenage girl, George, who is grieving her mother and exploring art and identity, while the other story revolves around Francesco del Cossa, a fifteenth-century Italian painter struggling to make sense of his life and work.
Smith approaches themes of loss, history, and the fluidity of identity with warmth and playful depth. Her work feels both fresh and thoughtful and often leaves readers surprised and moved.
Books by Jean Rhys often explore complex emotional landscapes through tight, precise language. If you’ve enjoyed the challenging style and psychological depth of Eimear McBride, then Rhys’s “Wide Sargasso Sea” might appeal to you as well.
This novel reimagines the backstory of Bertha Mason, the enigmatic woman locked in the attic from Charlotte Brontë's “Jane Eyre.” Set in post-colonial Jamaica, it details Antoinette Cosway’s life before she became Bertha.
Through Rhys’s sharp, lean prose, the reader experiences Antoinette’s isolation, cultural conflicts, and troubled marriage, adding new layers to a well-known literary character.
Readers who enjoyed Eimear McBride’s distinctive narrative style may find interest in the novels of Virginia Woolf. Woolf is known for her deep exploration of human consciousness and the internal lives of her characters.
Her book “Mrs. Dalloway” captures the mental journeys of Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares to host a party in post-war London.
The plot weaves through Clarissa’s own reflections and interconnects with the tale of Septimus Smith, a war veteran struggling to find peace in daily life.
Woolf uses precise and fluid prose to vividly depict thoughts and emotions, creating an intimate portrait of life and inner experience.
Deborah Levy is an author known for exploring deep emotions, identity and searching for meaning in her thoughtfully written stories. If you appreciate the raw emotional style of Eimear McBride’s work, Levy’s novel “Hot Milk” might capture your attention.
The story centers around Sofia, who travels with her mother to a Spanish coastal village seeking treatment for her mother’s mysterious illness. Sofia encounters new connections and emotional challenges during their stay.
Levy skillfully creates scenes that reveal the complicated dynamics of family bonds, personal desire and self-discovery, making Sofia’s journey resonate long after the book ends.
Anne Enright is an Irish author known for her sharp and emotionally honest portraits of family, identity, and everyday struggles. Her novel “The Gathering” explores grief, memory, and family tensions after a sudden loss brings siblings back together.
Veronica Hegarty, the main character, embarks on a stark examination of her brother Liam’s life and the secrets hidden within their family history.
Readers who appreciate Eimear McBride’s bold depiction of complex inner worlds and difficult family dynamics will find resonance in Enright’s perceptive storytelling and careful unraveling of past traumas.
Maggie Nelson is an American writer known for her intense exploration of emotional depth and poetic honesty. Her book “The Argonauts” blends memoir, theory, and poetry in a way that pushes the boundaries of genre.
Nelson shares her own experiences of love, motherhood, and identity with openness and intellectual rigor.
She explores the complexities of gender and family through her relationship with artist Harry Dodge, capturing moments that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Readers who admire Eimear McBride’s boldness in confronting raw, inner experiences may find Nelson’s work equally resonant and refreshing.
David Foster Wallace offers readers a daring and experimental approach to narrative form and language. His novel “Infinite Jest” is an ambitious exploration of addiction, entertainment, family dynamics, and the absurdities of modern life.
Set in a near-future world, the story follows a vast set of characters whose lives intersect around a missing film, titled “Infinite Jest,” a movie so entertaining it becomes lethal to anyone who watches it.
Wallace’s use of distinctive voices and unconventional structures challenges the boundaries of traditional fiction.
If you enjoyed Eimear McBride’s bold narrative techniques and intense engagement with consciousness and internal worlds, Wallace’s unique approach will likely resonate with you.
Readers who appreciate Eimear McBride’s honest exploration of complex emotions might also connect with Elena Ferrante’s novels. Ferrante’s “My Brilliant Friend” introduces readers to Elena and Lila, two young women whose friendship shapes their lives profoundly.
Set in Naples, their story beautifully captures the intensity, envy, loyalty, and changing dynamics between friends. Ferrante doesn’t shy away from the difficult truths hidden beneath their everyday lives, making each page engaging and real.
The vivid storytelling and genuine portrayal of female friendship ensure this book stays with you long after you’ve finished.
Sheila Heti is a writer known for her unconventional style and deep exploration of inner lives, which readers who appreciate Eimear McBride could enjoy. Her novel “How Should a Person Be?” blurs the lines between fiction and memoir.
In this book, Sheila, a young playwright, struggles with questions of identity, friendship, and creativity. Through candid conversations, personal emails, and life experiences, the narrator reveals relatable thoughts and anxieties many people face.
Heti doesn’t shy away from examining uncomfortable truths and vulnerabilities that make her protagonist’s journey feel authentic and engaging.
Kate Zambreno is an author known for sharp prose and fearless exploration of women’s inner lives. Readers who appreciate Eimear McBride’s unconventional narrative style might connect deeply with Zambreno’s “Green Girl.”
In this novel, Ruth, a young American woman working in London, faces isolation and anxiety in a consumer-driven world. Zambreno captures her raw thoughts, desires, and fears.
This intimate portrayal spotlights the intensity and vulnerability of navigating selfhood, gender, and desire during turbulent young adulthood.
Clarice Lispector was a Brazilian author who explored the hidden layers of human consciousness and emotional intensity in her fiction.
If you’re drawn to Eimear McBride’s style of exploring inner worlds through unconventional and powerful storytelling, Lispector’s novel “The Passion According to G.H.” should be on your reading list.
The story follows a woman, known only as G.H., who finds herself face-to-face with a cockroach in a closet. This simple encounter leads her into deep reflection about identity, humanity, and existence.
Lispector’s sharp, introspective prose connects the small incident with vast philosophical questions, leaving readers with an unforgettable and thought-provoking experience.
Rachel Cusk is a Canadian-British author known for her bold storytelling and sharp observations of inner life. Readers who appreciate Eimear McBride’s experimental style and intimate narratives may find themselves drawn to Cusk’s work, especially “Outline.”
This novel introduces us to Faye, a writer who travels to Athens to teach a writing course. Through conversations with strangers, students, and friends, Faye’s own story quietly unfolds. Each interaction subtly reveals her experiences and perspective on love, loss, and identity.
Cusk threads these different voices together, creating a vivid image of a woman redefining herself after major personal changes. “Outline” invites readers to consider how we shape who we are through the stories we tell others—and ourselves.