If you enjoy reading books by Grace Metalious then you might also like the following authors:
“Peyton Place” by Grace Metalious is a classic that pulls back the curtain on a seemingly quiet New England town. Beneath its peaceful surface, there are secrets, scandals, and tangled relationships.
The story follows characters like Allison MacKenzie, a young woman who dreams of becoming a writer, and Constance, her mother, who is caught in her own web of lies. Their stories intersect with others in the town as hidden truths come to light.
If you’re drawn to tales about small towns harboring big secrets and flawed but unforgettable characters, Grace Metalious has crafted this novel to uncover the drama in everyday lives.
Edna Ferber wrote stories that often explore family struggles, small-town life, and the changing American landscape. One of her most well-known books, “So Big,” follows Selina Peake, a woman who finds herself widowed and running a failing Illinois farm.
Despite the challenges, she transforms the farm into a thriving success while raising her son, Dirk. The story captures Selina’s resilience and the tension between her dreams for Dirk and his own ambitions.
It’s a moving portrayal of generational differences and the push between practicality and creativity.
Ann Bannon is often celebrated as one of the key voices in the world of lesbian pulp fiction. Her book “Odd Girl Out” follows Laura, a college student, as she navigates an intense and unexpected emotional connection with her sorority sister, Beth.
The story captures the confusion and longing of first love, pulling readers into a world where emotions feel raw and relationships are deeply complicated.
Fans of Grace Metalious might find Bannon’s unflinching look at societal expectations and personal desires gripping in its honesty.
Tennessee Williams is an author known for his deep exploration of human emotions and flawed relationships.
One of his most recognized works, “The Glass Menagerie,” tells the story of the Wingfield family, a struggling mother, her shy, quiet daughter who treasures her collection of glass animals, and a frustrated son torn between duty and his own desires.
The play captures the tension of family dynamics and the weight of unfulfilled dreams set against a backdrop of economic challenges. It’s a story full of personal struggles and moments that feel raw and real.
Jacqueline Susann was a writer known for creating stories that dive into glamour, scandal, and ambition.
Her book “Valley of the Dolls” follows the lives of three women chasing success in entertainment and fashion, showing their rise and fall as they deal with fame and personal struggles.
The story is full of dramatic twists, capturing the highs and lows of their lives in a way that feels raw and real. If you liked Grace Metalious for her bold storytelling, Susann’s work might catch your attention.
Edith Wharton was a fantastic storyteller who captured the complexities of social class, relationships, and tradition. One of her standout works is “The House of Mirth.”
The novel centers on Lily Bart, a young woman who is beautiful and ambitious but struggles to maintain her place in the high society of early 1900s New York.
Wharton shows the pressures Lily faces, from financial challenges to societal judgment, as she tries to secure a wealthy husband. The characters feel so real, and the world Wharton describes is vivid and detailed.
Fans of Grace Metalious might enjoy how Wharton explores scandal and societal norms with unflinching honesty.
E.L. Doctorow wrote stories that blend history and fiction in ways that feel alive. His novel “Ragtime” paints a picture of early 20th-century America, showing the lives of different characters connected by chance and circumstance.
There’s a family in New Rochelle, a silent anarchist, and even figures like Harry Houdini and Henry Ford weaving through the story. It’s set in a time of change, with class, race, and ambition all colliding.
Doctorow’s way of capturing characters and their struggles feels raw and real, making the era almost tangible.
Barbara Taylor Bradford is an author known for her sweeping family sagas full of complex relationships and strong characters. Her book “A Woman of Substance” tells the story of Emma Harte, a poor Yorkshire girl who rises to build a massive business empire.
Emma faces betrayal, heartbreak, and fierce obstacles but uses her determination to carve out a powerful life. Her journey spans decades, showing how her choices affect her family and her legacy.
Fans of Grace Metalious might enjoy the emotional depth and drama woven into Bradford’s tales.
John Updike wrote stories focusing on the lives of ordinary people in small-town America, often exploring their struggles and desires. His novel “Rabbit, Run” follows Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom, a man restless in his suburban life.
Harry impulsively leaves his wife and son to find freedom, but his actions create a chain of events that unsettle everyone around him. The book paints a vivid picture of mid-20th-century America and captures the tension between responsibilities and personal dreams.
Judith Krantz was a bestselling author known for her glamorous, dramatic stories filled with romance and ambition. One of her books, “Scruples,” follows Billy Ikehorn, a young woman who transforms herself from an awkward girl into a confident, wealthy fashion icon.
The story takes readers into the luxurious world of high-end fashion, power, and love. Billy opens the most exclusive boutique in Beverly Hills, where the characters’ lives intertwine in surprising ways.
It’s filled with bold personalities and the kind of drama that keeps you turning the pages. Fans of emotional and scandalous storytelling in small-town settings might enjoy Krantz’s dive into high-society lives.
Michael Cunningham is a writer known for exploring the complexities of human relationships and the hidden struggles within daily life.
His novel “The Hours” weaves together the lives of three women across different time periods, all connected by Virginia Woolf’s novel “Mrs. Dalloway”.
One storyline follows Virginia Woolf herself as she writes the book, another focuses on a 1940s housewife reading it, and the third centers on a modern woman planning a party. The characters’ emotions and choices leave an impact, revealing unexpected connections between them.
Rosamunde Pilcher was a British author known for her vivid storytelling and focus on family relationships and emotions.
Her book “The Shell Seekers” is a heartfelt tale about Penelope Keeling, an elderly woman reflecting on her life as her children bicker over her valuable painting. The story moves through her past, exploring moments of love, loss, and choices that shaped her life.
With warm settings and characters you can care about, Pilcher’s writing feels personal, drawing you into lives that feel real and relatable.
Elizabeth Berg writes about the ordinary moments in life and how they shape people. Her novel, “Open House,” tells the story of Samantha, a woman coping with a sudden divorce.
She decides to rent out rooms in her home to make ends meet, bringing an assortment of strangers into her life. Through these unexpected connections, she starts to rebuild herself and her sense of what home means.
The book is about heartbreak but also shows how new paths can come from life’s disruptions. If you enjoy stories about everyday struggles and relationships, you might enjoy her work.
Sue Miller is known for writing about family dynamics and relationships in a way that feels deeply personal. Her novel “The Good Mother” tells the story of Anna, a divorced woman who begins a passionate, liberating relationship with a new partner, Leo.
Things take a dark turn when choices in her personal life bring her parenting into question, forcing her into a custody battle for her daughter. The book explores love, desire, and the societal expectations placed on women.
It’s an intimate and raw portrayal of how personal choices can ripple through a life, leaving you thinking about the cost of independence.
Maeve Binchy writes about small-town life and relationships, focusing on the choices people make and how those choices shape their lives. Her book “Circle of Friends” tells the story of Benny and Eve, two childhood friends from a small Irish village.
They head to university in Dublin, where they meet new friends, face betrayals, and discover love. The book has warm characters and shows the ups and downs of loyalty and friendship, with an Irish setting that feels authentic and vivid.