If you enjoy reading books by Emma Cline then you might also like the following authors:
Nico Walker is known for writing stories that feel raw and personal. His novel, “Cherry,” tells the story of a young man who falls into a destructive spiral after returning home from war. Struggling with PTSD, he turns to drugs and crime, robbing banks to feed his addiction.
The book is intense and direct, offering an unfiltered look at a life unraveling.
Ottessa Moshfegh writes stories that focus on characters who feel disconnected from the world around them.
In her novel “My Year of Rest and Relaxation,” the protagonist, a young woman living in New York City at the turn of the millennium, decides to escape her life by attempting to sleep for a whole year using a mix of prescription drugs.
The story follows her strange journey as she isolates herself and tries to erase her feelings of emptiness. Moshfegh’s writing often explores the inner lives of flawed, complex people.
Her style has a sharp edge and a way of drawing you into the rawness of her characters’ experiences.
Sally Rooney writes stories about relationships, emotions, and the unspoken things that happen between people. Her book “Normal People” follows Marianne and Connell, two young adults from a small Irish town who form a deep, complicated connection.
They come from different social backgrounds, but their bond shapes their lives across school and early adulthood. The book captures awkward moments, hidden feelings, and the way love can change over time.
Rooney’s style feels personal, almost like you’re overhearing private conversations.
Rachel Kushner is known for writing novels that combine sharp prose with characters who live on the edge of society. Her book “The Flamethrowers” follows Reno, a young woman in the 1970s who moves to New York City to become an artist.
She gets involved with the art scene and a wealthy family tied to an Italian motorcycle company. The story takes readers through the gritty streets of New York and the volatile protests in Italy, showing how ambition and politics collide in unexpected ways.
Reno’s journey is full of risk and uncertainty, making her world feel vivid and raw.
Lisa Taddeo is an author known for her ability to explore human desire and the complexities of relationships. In her book “Three Women,” she shares the real stories of three women whose lives are shaped by their longing and choices.
There’s Lina, a housewife trapped in a loveless marriage, who risks everything for an affair. Sloane is a woman whose husband insists on involving others in their intimate life.
Maggie, a young woman, shares her experience of a relationship with her teacher that changed her forever. Taddeo’s storytelling pulls you into the raw, sometimes uncomfortable truths of these lives.
Megan Abbott writes dark, atmospheric novels that often focus on the lives of young women and the pressures they face. In her book “You Will Know Me,” she tells the story of a talented teenage gymnast, Devon, whose family is consumed by her pursuit of Olympic dreams.
The story takes a sharp turn when a mysterious death in their community shakes everything. Devon’s parents struggle with how far they’re willing to go for her success, and secrets start to unravel. It’s an intense look at ambition and what it can cost.
Dana Spiotta is an author who writes about the messy, complicated lives of ordinary people. Her book “Wayward” focuses on Samantha, a middle-aged woman who decides to shake up her life by leaving her husband and teenage daughter.
She buys a run-down house in Syracuse, New York, and tries to figure out what comes next. The story captures the tensions between generations and the struggles of self-reinvention with moments that feel raw and real.
If you enjoy characters who are flawed yet relatable, you might appreciate Spiotta’s work.
Hanya Yanagihara is a writer known for crafting emotionally intense stories with a focus on relationships and the weight of human experiences. Her book, “A Little Life,” follows four college friends as they navigate adulthood and grapple with their pasts.
The story zooms in on Jude, a brilliant but deeply scarred man who carries secrets that shape his life and his friendships. The novel explores loyalty, pain, and the bonds that hold people together even in the face of unimaginable struggles.
Tessa Hadley writes about relationships, family dynamics, and the quiet shifts in people’s lives. Her book “Late in the Day” explores what happens when a close-knit friendship between two couples is upended by a sudden death.
As the story moves between the past and present, secrets and memories come to light, changing how the characters see each other. Hadley has a way of capturing the small but meaningful ways people connect and distance themselves, which might appeal to fans of Emma Cline.
Lauren Oyler is a writer known for her sharp observations about modern life and the internet. Her book “Fake Accounts” begins with the discovery of a boyfriend’s secret life running an online conspiracy account.
After this discovery, the narrator decides to reshape her own life, moving to Berlin and testing how far she can push the boundaries of identity in the digital age. The book combines humor and cynicism, drawing readers into a world where deception feels like second nature.
Fans of Emma Cline’s exploration of human behavior and complex characters might enjoy Oyler’s take on self-awareness and the ways people perform for others.
Jennifer Egan is an author who weaves thoughtful stories about people and their connections to each other. Her book “A Visit from the Goon Squad” is a collection of intertwined tales about music, aging, and the ways life changes us.
One chapter is told through the eyes of a young girl using PowerPoint slides to describe her family, which is both unique and deeply emotional. The characters feel real, their flaws and desires pulling you into their world.
Leila Slimani is a French-Moroccan author known for her absorbing novels that explore human relationships and hidden tensions. Her book “The Perfect Nanny” tells the story of a couple in Paris who hire a nanny to care for their two young children.
At first, everything seems fine, but as the nanny becomes more involved in their lives, cracks begin to show. The story reveals her unsettling past and how her relationship with the family turns darker over time.
It’s a novel that captures the quiet unease beneath the surface of ordinary lives, pulling you deeper with every chapter.
Julia Phillips is an author known for writing stories that focus on relationships and the tension of unknown truths. Her book, “Disappearing Earth,” begins with the abduction of two young sisters in a remote Russian town, setting off a story that unfolds over a year.
Each chapter introduces different women connected by their quiet struggles and the ripple effects of the disappearance. The setting, along the Kamchatka Peninsula, feels isolated and vivid, while the characters’ lives slowly intertwine in subtle, unexpected ways.
Maggie Nelson is an author known for blending memoir and cultural criticism in a way that feels personal yet thought-provoking. Her book, “The Argonauts,” explores her relationship with her partner, Harry Dodge, who is genderfluid, and her experience of pregnancy.
It’s a mix of reflections on love, family, identity, and the ways language shapes our understanding of them. The book moves between intimate moments, like her descriptions of domestic life with Harry, and her thoughts on philosophers and theorists.
It’s an honest and engaging read that challenges traditional ideas of relationships and identity.
Claire Vaye Watkins writes stories that feel grounded yet unsettling. Her book “Battleborn” is a collection of short stories set in the rugged landscapes of the American West. One story follows a woman recounting her father’s past connections to the Manson Family.
Another explores loneliness and survival as a young man deals with the harsh uncertainties of the Nevada desert. Watkins captures human flaws and complex relationships with sharp, vivid prose.