If you enjoy reading books by Gregory David Roberts then you might also like the following authors:
Vikram Chandra is an Indian author known for weaving stories that paint vivid pictures of complex characters and their environments. One of his standout works is “Sacred Games,” a sprawling tale set in Mumbai.
It follows Sartaj Singh, a middle-aged police officer, as he receives a cryptic phone call from a notorious gangster named Ganesh Gaitonde. What follows is a journey into the underworld, exploring crime, power, and survival.
Filled with detailed depictions of Mumbai’s streets and the lives intertwined with its chaos, the novel captures a gritty and layered world. Fans of Gregory David Roberts might enjoy the intensity and the sense of place Chandra brings to his storytelling.
Salman Rushdie is a storyteller who weaves vivid tales that mix reality with imagination. One of his well-known books, “Midnight’s Children,” follows Saleem Sinai, a boy born at the exact moment India gained independence.
The story connects his life to the history of the country. Saleem realizes he has special powers, and through his eyes, you see how personal lives and historic events collide.
With its mix of family drama and a country’s transformation, the book creates a fascinating backdrop for exploring identity and destiny.
Aravind Adiga is an author from India who tells stories that explore class, identity, and the struggles of modern life with sharp insight. His book, “The White Tiger,” follows Balram Halwai, a man born into poverty who becomes a driver for a wealthy family.
The story takes readers through his journey as he pushes against the limits of his social status. Balram’s letters to a Chinese premier provide a unique way to learn about his life, from his village to the bustling streets of Delhi.
The book paints a vivid picture of ambition, survival, and the corruption that shapes his world.
Jhumpa Lahiri is an author known for writing about identity, family, and cultural connections. Her book “The Namesake” follows the life of Gogol Ganguli, a boy born to Bengali parents in America.
The story explores his struggles with his unusual name, his heritage, and the clash between his parents’ traditions and his own desires. Through Gogol’s journey, the book paints a vivid picture of the immigrant experience and the pull between two worlds.
Arundhati Roy is an Indian author known for her vivid storytelling and deep exploration of characters and settings.
Her novel, “The God of Small Things,” is set in Kerala and unravels the lives of twins, Estha and Rahel, as they navigate a childhood shaped by love, loss, and family secrets.
The story weaves through moments of joy and tragedy, illustrating how small events can have lasting impacts.
Roy writes about forbidden love, cultural barriers, and the effects of personal decisions, drawing readers into the world of a family burdened by unwritten rules and past mistakes.
Monica Ali is a British author known for her rich storytelling and vivid characters. Her novel “Brick Lane” tells the story of Nazneen, a young Bangladeshi woman who moves to London for an arranged marriage.
The book explores her life in a new country, her struggles with identity, and her quiet strength as she navigates challenges within her marriage and community.
The scenes in London’s immigrant neighborhoods feel alive in their details, and Nazneen’s journey is both personal and tied to broader cultural shifts. Readers who enjoy diving into complex relationships and vibrant settings might find this book appealing.
Marlon James is a brilliant storyteller who knows how to bring characters and worlds to life with a raw, vivid style.
His book, “A Brief History of Seven Killings,” is set in Jamaica and weaves together the lives of many characters as it explores the attempted assassination of Bob Marley in the 1970s.
The story spans decades and dives into the gritty realities of gang violence, politics, and power struggles. James doesn’t shy away from showing harsh truths, and his ability to shift between so many voices in the book is remarkable.
It feels like stepping into a chaotic, dark, and fascinating world.
Amitav Ghosh writes stories that blend history and personal struggles. One of his most well-known books, “Sea of Poppies,” takes place in India during the 19th century, when the opium trade was expanding.
The story follows a mix of characters, including a widow, a sailor, and a raja. They all find themselves on a ship called the Ibis, which is heading on a voyage that will change their lives.
The book paints a vivid picture of colonial India and the impact of the opium trade, showing how people from different walks of life are connected in unexpected ways. Ghosh’s storytelling is rich with culture and historical detail, creating a world that’s hard to forget.
Rohinton Mistry is an Indian-born Canadian author known for telling heartfelt stories of ordinary people navigating their lives in turbulent times. His novel “A Fine Balance” is set in India during the mid-1970s under Indira Gandhi’s Emergency.
The story follows four characters—a widow, a young student, and two tailors—brought together in a cramped apartment. They come from different backgrounds, but their lives become intertwined as they struggle against poverty, cruelty, and political unrest.
The book creates vivid scenes of a harsh yet vibrant world, where moments of kindness and friendship stand out in the face of hardship.
Khaled Hosseini is known for his heartfelt stories set in Afghanistan, highlighting human connections and struggles against the backdrop of political turmoil.
His novel, “The Kite Runner,” tells the story of Amir, a boy from a wealthy family, and Hassan, the son of his father’s servant. Their friendship is tested after a betrayal that leaves lasting consequences.
Years later, Amir is drawn back to Afghanistan to confront secrets from the past and seek redemption. The book explores loyalty, guilt, and the bonds of family in a way that feels deeply personal.
Haruki Murakami writes stories that blend everyday life with strange and surreal events. One of his books, “Kafka on the Shore,” follows two characters on separate but connected journeys. Kafka, a fifteen-year-old boy, runs away from home and ends up in a strange library.
Meanwhile, an older man named Nakata, who can talk to cats, becomes involved in a mysterious event. The story weaves in themes of fate, memory, and the search for identity, creating an experience that feels unique and unforgettable.
Yann Martel is a Canadian writer known for his storytelling that explores life, faith, and survival. His novel, “Life of Pi,” tells the story of Pi Patel, a boy from India who ends up stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger after a shipwreck.
The book is packed with vivid moments, from Pi’s inventive ways of finding food and water to the unforgettable bond he forms with the tiger, Richard Parker. It’s a tale about facing impossible odds and searching for meaning in even the harshest situations.
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an author known for crafting immersive stories rooted in Indian culture and history. Her book “The Palace of Illusions” tells the tale of Panchaali, the queen from the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, but through her perspective.
Panchaali narrates her journey from childhood to becoming a queen and shares her thoughts about love, duty, and the role she plays in a family torn apart by ambition and war.
The book gives a voice to a character who had long remained in the background, offering a fresh and personal view of a grand, legendary story. Readers interested in stories with deep emotional layers and complex relationships may find it fascinating.
Ruth Ozeki is an author known for weaving deep connections between characters, culture, and the natural world. Her book “A Tale for the Time Being” centers on a struggling writer named Ruth who finds a diary washed up on the shores of British Columbia.
The diary belongs to a Japanese girl named Nao, who writes about her life, her eccentric Buddhist nun great-grandmother, and the challenges she faces in a world that feels unkind.
As Ruth pieces together Nao’s story, the book moves between their lives in a way that feels intimate and reveals how they’re tied together by forces larger than themselves.
Isabel Allende is a Chilean author known for blending personal lives with historical events in deeply emotional stories. Her novel “The House of the Spirits” begins with the story of the Trueba family.
The book follows their lives across generations as they navigate love, loss, and the backdrop of political upheaval in an unnamed Latin American country.
It introduces fascinating characters, including Clara, who has mysterious abilities, and Esteban, whose ambition and temper shape the family’s fate. The mix of family drama and the larger struggles of the world makes this book unforgettable.