If you enjoy reading books by Ernest Hemingway then you might also like the following authors:
John Steinbeck was a master at writing stories about ordinary people facing tough circumstances. If you enjoy Ernest Hemingway’s straightforward, powerful storytelling, you might like Steinbeck’s work too.
His novel “Of Mice and Men” follows two migrant workers, George and Lennie, as they dream of owning their own land during the Great Depression. George is small and sharp, while Lennie is big and strong but struggles with understanding the world around him.
Their bond is unique, and their struggles are both heartbreaking and unforgettable. The story explores friendship, loneliness, and how fragile dreams can be.
F. Scott Fitzgerald was an American writer known for capturing the glamour and struggles of the Jazz Age. If you enjoy Ernest Hemingway’s sharp prose and themes of love and loss, you might like Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”
The novel follows Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire, as he throws lavish parties in pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, the woman he loves.
Set in the 1920s, the story explores ambition, wealth, and heartbreak, all seen through the eyes of Nick Carraway, a newcomer to Gatsby’s glittering world. The book paints a vivid picture of the era while unraveling the secrets behind Gatsby’s extravagant lifestyle.
Raymond Carver was an author known for writing short, straightforward stories about ordinary people and their struggles. His style is often compared to Ernest Hemingway’s because of its simplicity and focus on the human experience.
One of his well-known collections, “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love,” explores love, loneliness, and how people connect—or fail to. In one story, two couples sit around a table sharing stories about their relationships, revealing hidden tensions and unspoken feelings.
Carver’s stories capture raw emotions and moments that feel real.
Graham Greene wrote stories that often explore tough moral choices and human struggles, set in vivid and often harsh environments. If you enjoy Ernest Hemingway’s focus on complex characters and sparse, impactful writing, take a look at Greene’s “The Power and the Glory.”
The book follows a whiskey-drinking priest trying to survive in a Mexican state where religion is outlawed. He moves through poverty-stricken towns, constantly on the run from authorities who want him dead.
The story captures the tension of his journey and the weight of his guilt, paired with Greene’s sharp eye for detail and atmosphere. It’s a powerful look at survival, redemption, and faith in difficult times.
Jack London was an American author known for stories about survival, the wilderness, and human resilience.
One of his standout novels, “The Call of the Wild,” tells the story of Buck, a domesticated dog who is stolen from his comfortable home and forced into the harsh world of the Alaskan Gold Rush.
As Buck adjusts to his new environment, he faces cold, cruelty, and fierce competition. Gradually, he reconnects with his primal instincts and learns to thrive in the wild. London’s vivid depictions of the brutal landscape and Buck’s transformation make the story unforgettable.
Joseph Conrad is an author known for stories that explore human struggles and moral dilemmas against the backdrop of adventure and danger.
One of his most famous works, “Heart of Darkness,” follows Charles Marlow, a seaman, as he journeys deep into the Congo River to find a mysterious ivory trader, Mr. Kurtz.
The book takes readers into a harsh and unforgiving wilderness, where the thin divide between civilization and savagery becomes clear. It’s a story that examines greed, power, and the darkness within people when rules no longer apply.
If you appreciate the raw, stripped-down style of Ernest Hemingway, Conrad’s writing might pull you in with its directness and focus on human conflict.
James Salter is known for his spare yet elegant writing style that captures moments of human connection and longing. His novel “A Sport and a Pastime” is set in provincial France and tells the story of a passionate affair between an American man and a young French woman.
The narrator, a friend of the man, recounts the events as he imagines or observes them, blending desire and memory. The book focuses on the intensity of fleeting love and the beauty of ordinary life, with scenes that linger in your mind long after you read them.
If you enjoy Hemingway, you might find Salter’s prose and focus on human intimacy equally engaging.
Richard Ford writes with straightforward prose, focusing on ordinary moments that carry a lot of weight. His book, “The Sportswriter,” introduces Frank Bascombe, a man looking for balance after the death of his son and the end of his marriage.
Frank once dreamed of writing novels but now works as a sports journalist. Through his reflective voice, Ford examines themes of loss, identity, and finding purpose in everyday life.
If you enjoy Hemingway’s clean style and attention to quiet struggles, you’ll likely feel drawn to Frank’s story.
Cormac McCarthy is known for his sparse and powerful writing. His novel “The Road” tells the story of a father and son traveling through a bleak, post-apocalyptic world. The land is gray and ash-covered, and survival is a constant struggle.
The boy and his father move through this desolate landscape, facing moments of danger, fear, and small, fragile hope. Their bond is at the heart of the story, showing love and resilience in the face of utter despair.
Fans of Hemingway’s straightforward style and deep exploration of human relationships might appreciate McCarthy’s way of telling a story with raw emotion and unflinching honesty.
Patricia Highsmith is known for her sharp, unflinching depictions of human nature. Her novel, “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” introduces Tom Ripley, a young man with a knack for blending into any situation.
In the book, Tom is sent to Italy to persuade a wealthy man’s son, Dickie Greenleaf, to return to the U.S. What starts as a simple task becomes something darker as Tom envies Dickie’s life. Highsmith paints a picture of ambition and deceit that feels unnervingly real.
The sunny Italian setting contrasts beautifully with the growing tension between the characters. If you enjoy stories with flawed, complex people at their center, her work is worth exploring.
Norman Mailer was a writer known for his bold and direct style. One of his standout books, “The Naked and the Dead,” follows a group of American soldiers during World War II as they invade a Pacific island.
The story captures the harsh realities of war, showing the physical and emotional toll on the soldiers. Each character has a distinct voice, and their interactions often reveal deeper struggles with fear, power, and survival.
If you appreciate the raw and honest storytelling of Ernest Hemingway, Mailer’s work offers a similar intensity.
Tom Wolfe was a master of sharp, observational storytelling, diving straight into the heart of American life. One of his most iconic books, “The Right Stuff,” focuses on the early days of the space race and the test pilots who became the first astronauts.
The book captures their bravery and the unrelenting pressure they faced, from the grueling training to the public scrutiny. Wolfe paints these men as flawed and human, not untouchable heroes, letting readers feel the tension of their high-stakes missions.
If you’re drawn to stories of courage and the human spirit, this one pulls you right into the action.
Paul Bowles was an American author known for his atmospheric stories set in exotic locations. His novel “The Sheltering Sky” follows an American couple, Port and Kit, who travel through North Africa in search of meaning and escape.
Their journey takes them deep into the Sahara, where the harsh landscape mirrors their crumbling relationship. The book captures the isolation and unpredictability of the desert, combined with the struggles of being far from the familiar.
Fans of Ernest Hemingway might be drawn to the stripped-down prose and the way Bowles explores human behavior against an unforgiving backdrop.
Hunter S. Thompson was a journalist and author known for his straightforward yet wild writing style that could punch you in the gut with its honesty. If Ernest Hemingway’s sharp and direct prose appeals to you, Thompson’s work might pique your interest.
His book, “Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs,” captures the raw, untamed world of motorcycle outlaws in the 1960s. Thompson spent time riding and partying with the gang to write this first-hand account.
He describes their chaotic lives, their loyalty to each other, and their clashes with mainstream society. It’s as bold and unfiltered as the subjects he wrote about.
Evelyn Waugh was an English writer known for his sharp wit and satirical stories. One of his notable works, “A Handful of Dust,” explores themes of betrayal and societal decay. The story follows Tony Last, a man who loves his countryside home and lives a seemingly peaceful life.
His wife, Brenda, becomes infatuated with another man, causing chaos in both their lives. The book mixes dark humor with moments of real tragedy, taking unexpected turns as Tony’s world unravels.
Waugh’s prose is precise and vivid, creating layers of tension as he captures the fragility of human relationships.