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15 Authors like Henry Roth

Henry Roth was an American novelist known for his powerful portrayal of immigrant life. His notable novel, Call It Sleep, vividly captures the experiences of Jewish immigrants in early 20th-century New York.

If you enjoy reading books by Henry Roth then you might also like the following authors:

  1. James Joyce

    James Joyce is known for his unique storytelling style and deep exploration of characters' inner thoughts. His novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man vividly captures the growth and struggles of Stephen Dedalus, a young artist trying to find his place in Irish society.

    Readers who appreciate Henry Roth's reflective, introspective narrative in Call It Sleep will likely enjoy Joyce's thoughtful portrayal of personal identity and cultural conflict.

  2. William Faulkner

    William Faulkner offers readers a bold approach to storytelling and rich, complex characters. His novel The Sound and the Fury is known for its experimental style and deep insight into the lives and traumas of a Southern American family.

    Like Henry Roth, Faulkner examines characters' personal struggles against the backdrop of complicated family histories and cultural tensions.

  3. John Dos Passos

    John Dos Passos combines innovative narrative techniques with social and historical commentary. His famous work Manhattan Transfer portrays the vibrant yet difficult life of New York City residents in the early 20th century.

    Fans of Henry Roth's vivid depiction of urban immigrant communities will enjoy Dos Passos's lively representation of city life, its struggles, and its striving characters.

  4. Thomas Wolfe

    Thomas Wolfe is celebrated for his deeply emotional, lyrical style and stories of personal growth within American life. His novel Look Homeward, Angel explores the journey of Eugene Gant, a character wrestling with family dynamics, ambition, and the desire for meaning.

    Wolfe's deep sense of nostalgia and emotional intensity will resonate with readers who appreciate Roth's atmospheric storytelling and personal introspection.

  5. Abraham Cahan

    Abraham Cahan provides an authentic look at immigrant life and cultural conflict. His novel The Rise of David Levinsky shows the challenges and sacrifices involved in adapting to life in America and pursuing success.

    Fans of Henry Roth's sensitive portrayal of immigration, identity, and ambition in Call It Sleep will appreciate Cahan's realistic and thoughtful look at these themes.

  6. Anzia Yezierska

    Anzia Yezierska writes vividly about the immigrant experience in early 20th-century America. Her works often explore the challenges of poverty, cultural assimilation, and the aspirations of Jewish immigrant communities in urban settings.

    In her novel Bread Givers, Yezierska portrays the story of Sara Smolinsky, a young woman determined to find independence and fulfillment despite difficult family expectations and socioeconomic hardships.

  7. Michael Gold

    Michael Gold captures the raw realities of working-class life with clarity and authenticity. His writing highlights social struggles and the experiences of immigrants in America, emphasizing the dignity and determination of ordinary people and their struggle for a better life.

    His notable novel Jews Without Money provides a powerful depiction of life in the Jewish slums of New York City's Lower East Side, painting a stark yet empathetic portrait of hardship, poverty, and resilience.

  8. Alfred Kazin

    Alfred Kazin's work blends literary criticism and personal reflection to explore American culture and identity. His clear, thoughtful prose reveals the relationships between literature, society, and the immigrant experience.

    In his memoir A Walker in the City, Kazin looks back on his childhood in Brooklyn's Brownsville neighborhood, capturing the smells, sights, and textures of urban immigrant life with warmth and detail.

  9. Bernard Malamud

    Bernard Malamud writes thoughtful, carefully crafted fiction focused on the ethical challenges people face and their often complicated struggles. His tales frequently center around Jewish characters navigating questions of identity, responsibility, and morality.

    In his memorable novel The Assistant, he tells the story of Morris Bober, a Jewish grocer whose resilience and quiet dignity deeply impact a young man named Frank, prompting a significant transformation.

  10. Pietro di Donato

    Pietro di Donato vividly portrays the struggles of Italian immigrant workers in America with directness and emotion. Through straightforward prose, he highlights labor injustices, family bonds, and immigrant identity, often drawing from his experiences as a construction worker.

    His powerful novel Christ in Concrete highlights the harsh conditions and tragic reality faced by laborers in the building trades, offering a sensitive, human view of their everyday challenges and sacrifices.

  11. Theodore Dreiser

    Theodore Dreiser writes direct and realistic novels that highlight social issues and moral struggles in American life. Like Henry Roth, Dreiser explores ambition, social barriers, and identity.

    His novel Sister Carrie tells the story of a young woman's pursuit of a better life in the bustling city, challenging conventions and revealing the harsh realities beneath society's glossy surface.

  12. Tillie Olsen

    Tillie Olsen's fiction gives voice to overlooked people and their daily struggles. Her writing is sensitive, honest, and filled with empathy, much like Roth's attention to personal stories often ignored by mainstream society.

    In Tell Me a Riddle, Olsen focuses on the quiet hardships and inner lives of ordinary women, highlighting their resilience and humanity.

  13. Clarice Lispector

    Clarice Lispector writes deeply introspective novels that examine personal identity and human consciousness. Like Roth, she's interested in how individuals cope with internal and external struggles.

    Her novel The Hour of the Star explores the complex inner life of an overlooked woman navigating poverty and isolation, told with vivid emotional intensity.

  14. Virginia Woolf

    Virginia Woolf's novels deliver nuanced portrayals of characters' inner thoughts and perspectives. She emphasizes the stream of consciousness and the complex nature of memory and identity, themes readers of Henry Roth appreciate.

    Her novel To the Lighthouse captures the detailed internal experiences of a family vacationing by the sea, exploring deep emotional connections beneath everyday interactions.

  15. Saul Bellow

    Saul Bellow crafts intellectual, character-driven narratives that blend humor, insight, and philosophical depth. Like Roth, he explores immigrant experiences, identity conflicts, and personal growth with vivid realism.

    In his novel The Adventures of Augie March, Bellow portrays a young man's journey through life's challenges and self-discovery in a vibrant American landscape.