If you enjoy reading books by George Bernard Shaw then you might also like the following authors:
Oscar Wilde had a sharp wit and a knack for uncovering the absurdities in society and human behavior. His novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” tells the story of a man who wishes to stay young forever while his portrait grows older instead.
As Dorian indulges in a life of excess and selfishness, the portrait shows the toll of his immoral choices. Wilde weaves moments of biting humor and chilling reality, offering a dark look at vanity and the cost of chasing pleasure over conscience.
H.G. Wells was an English writer known for his imaginative and thought-provoking stories that explore science and society. One of his most famous works, “The Time Machine,” tells the story of a Victorian-era scientist who invents a device to travel through time.
He ventures far into the future, where he discovers two strange species, the Eloi and the Morlocks, who seem to live in completely different worlds on the same planet. Behind their existence, though, lies a hidden history that reveals the aftermath of human progress.
The book offers a mix of adventure and a look at humanity’s potential paths.
Bertrand Russell was a philosopher and writer who had a knack for tackling big questions in a clear and engaging way. In his book “The Conquest of Happiness,” he explores what makes life satisfying and meaningful.
He talks about everyday struggles like boredom and frustration, while offering ways to push beyond them. One part focuses on how envy can eat away at happiness, and another dives into the importance of curiosity and love as sources of joy.
It’s the kind of book that lays out ideas in a straightforward way without getting overly complicated. Fans of George Bernard Shaw’s wit and thought-provoking ideas might enjoy Russell’s sharp insights and relatable approach.
John Galsworthy was an English writer known for exploring society, class, and human relationships. His most famous work, “The Forsyte Saga,” follows the lives of a wealthy upper-middle-class family in Victorian and Edwardian England.
The story focuses on Soames Forsyte, a man obsessed with possessions, including his wife, Irene. Their troubled marriage sets off a series of events that ripple across generations.
The book paints a vivid picture of a world driven by materialism and tradition, while also revealing how love and personal choices can defy societal expectations.
Anton Chekhov was a Russian author known for his plays and short stories that explore human nature with humor and honesty. One of his famous plays, “The Cherry Orchard,” focuses on a once-wealthy family losing their estate due to financial troubles.
The story balances lighthearted moments with a sense of loss as the family members face change, holding on to the past even as the world around them moves forward.
The characters feel real, each with their own flaws and desires, creating a portrait of life that feels both personal and universal.
Thomas Hardy was an English writer who often explored human struggles and how they’re shaped by society and fate. One of his novels, “Tess of the d’Urbervilles,” tells the story of Tess, a young woman from a poor family who learns she may be descended from nobility.
Her life takes dramatic turns as she faces love, loss, and injustice. The story highlights the cruelty of strict moral codes and the burdens placed on women in a rigid society. Hardy’s characters often feel real and flawed, making his stories deeply memorable.
Virginia Woolf was an English writer known for exploring human relationships and the inner lives of her characters. Her book “Mrs. Dalloway” takes readers through a single day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, a woman preparing for a party.
As the day unfolds, the story reveals her thoughts on love, time, and choices that shaped her life. Alongside Clarissa, the novel introduces a troubled war veteran named Septimus, whose struggles provide a stark contrast.
Woolf’s writing creates a vivid sense of London and captures the complexity of emotions beneath everyday routines.
D.H. Lawrence was a novelist known for exploring human relationships, emotions, and societal norms. His book “Sons and Lovers” tells the story of Paul Morel, a young man torn between his love for his mother and his romantic relationships.
Set in a working-class mining village, the novel captures the struggles of family loyalty and personal freedom. Paul’s connection with his overbearing mother shapes his identity and choices, creating frustration as he tries to navigate love and independence.
The book dives into the complexities of passion and duty without feeling overly dramatic. It’s rooted in everyday life but carries deep emotional weight.
G.K. Chesterton was a lively and witty writer, known for his knack for blending humor and sharp thinking in his works.
One of his most famous books, “The Man Who Was Thursday,” mixes mystery and philosophy in a story that begins with a poet named Gabriel Syme becoming an undercover detective. He infiltrates a group of anarchists, each named after a day of the week, and chaos follows.
The book combines quirky characters with unexpected twists, keeping the plot entertaining while exploring deep questions about order and chaos. Fans of George Bernard Shaw’s clever dialogue and ideas might enjoy Chesterton’s playful yet thoughtful approach to storytelling.
Harold Pinter was a playwright known for creating works packed with sharp dialogue and tension between characters. One of his notable plays, “The Birthday Party,” tells the story of a man named Stanley who lives a quiet and uneventful life in a seaside boarding house.
Things take a strange turn when two unexpected visitors, Goldberg and McCann, arrive. Their conversations with Stanley grow more unnerving, and soon, his reality begins to spiral.
Pinter’s work often explores power dynamics and communication breakdowns, making it fascinating for readers who enjoy the charged interactions in George Bernard Shaw’s plays.
Eugene O’Neill was a playwright known for his intense and raw depictions of human struggles. His play “The Iceman Cometh” is set in a run-down bar where a group of dreamers cling to illusions to get through life.
The arrival of Hickey, a salesman with a dark secret, disrupts their fragile peace as he pushes them to confront their truths. The story unfolds with deep conversations and moments that touch on hope, despair, and the blurred line between them.
It’s a thoughtful exploration of the burdens we carry and how we choose to face or avoid them. Fans of George Bernard Shaw might appreciate his sharp focus on human nature and society.
Samuel Beckett was an Irish writer known for his unique and minimalist style. One of his most famous works, “Waiting for Godot,” is a play about two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who meet on a country road.
They wait for someone named Godot, though it’s never revealed who Godot is or if he will come. The conversations between the two characters are full of humor and sadness, showing the struggles of human existence.
The play’s simplicity and its focus on human interaction make it both thought-provoking and emotionally powerful.
Jean-Paul Sartre was a French philosopher and writer who explored ideas about freedom, choice, and human existence. One of his most famous works, “No Exit,” tells the story of three characters trapped in a room together after death.
They gradually realize that their punishment isn’t physical torture but the torment they inflict on one another through their personalities and actions.
The book challenges ideas of morality and responsibility, wrapped in a tense and hauntingly personal interaction between the characters. If you enjoy exploring deep questions through sharp dialogue, Sartre might spark your interest.
Henrik Ibsen was a Norwegian playwright known for addressing social issues and challenging conventions of his time. One of his well-known works, “A Doll’s House,” tells the story of Nora, a woman who initially appears to be a devoted wife living a comfortable life.
As the play unfolds, her seemingly perfect marriage begins to show cracks, and deeper issues about independence and identity come to light. Ibsen writes characters who feel real, with struggles that make you think about the world and relationships differently.
Leonard Woolf authored works that explore themes of politics, society, and power dynamics with sharp insight.
Two notable novels include “The Village in the Jungle,” which portrays the struggles of rural life in colonial Ceylon, and “The Wise Virgins,” a semi-autobiographical story examining relationships and societal expectations.
Readers who enjoy George Bernard Shaw’s sharp critiques of society and focus on progressive ideas might appreciate Woolf’s similar ability to challenge norms with a thoughtful and incisive approach.