If you enjoy reading books by Howard Jacobson then you might also like the following authors:
Philip Roth was a brilliant American writer known for exploring identity, relationships, and the complexities of life.
His novel “Portnoy’s Complaint” is a mix of humor and introspection, framed as a monologue where the main character, Alexander Portnoy, spills his frustrations to his psychoanalyst.
Portnoy wrestles with his mother’s overwhelming presence, cultural expectations, and his own desires. The story offers sharp wit and a memorable portrait of what it means to feel torn between duty and personal freedom.
If you enjoy books that blend sharp insight with emotional depth, this one’s worth a look.
Martin Amis is known for his sharp, dark humor and unique lens on human frailty. One of his standout books, “Money,” tells the story of John Self, a reckless director of vulgar commercials who spirals through a world of greed, addiction, and egotism.
The novel follows him as he gets caught up in a chaotic whirlwind of excess, from his disastrous attempts at making a film to his encounters with shady characters who only add to his collapse.
It’s a story that digs into obsession with money and the self-destructive paths it can lead people down.
Saul Bellow was an American author known for exploring the lives of complex, flawed characters. One of his books, “Herzog,” follows Moses Herzog, a middle-aged academic grappling with his failed marriages and professional struggles.
He spends much of the story writing letters—never sent—to friends, enemies, and even historical figures, trying to make sense of his life.
The book mixes humor, frustration, and sharp observations about modern existence, creating a vivid portrait of a man searching for clarity in a chaotic world.
Zadie Smith is a British author known for her clever storytelling and sharp observations. Her novel “White Teeth” explores the lives of two families in London over several decades. The story weaves together themes of identity, culture, and generational clashes.
One of the standout characters is Archie Jones, whose decision to marry a much younger Jamaican woman sets off a chain of events that bring multiple worlds together. The mix of humor and drama makes the characters and their lives feel vivid and real.
Smith’s ability to capture modern life in a multicultural city shines in this book.
Julian Barnes is a British author known for his sharp insights into human relationships and memory. His novel “The Sense of an Ending” follows Tony Webster, a man reflecting on his youth after a mysterious inheritance disrupts his quiet life.
The story touches on friendship, love, and the way people reshape their memories over time. It’s an intimate look at how the past influences the choices we make and the stories we tell ourselves.
David Grossman is an Israeli author known for his emotional and character-driven stories. One of his books, “To the End of the Land,” follows Ora, a mother who embarks on a journey across the Israeli countryside to avoid hearing news about her soldier son.
As she walks, she recalls memories of her family, her relationships, and the complexities of life in Israel. The book paints a vivid picture of love, grief, and a mother’s hope, blending the personal and the political in a way that feels deeply human.
Michael Chabon is an author known for his vivid characters and rich stories. His novel, “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” follows two cousins in 1930s New York as they create a comic book hero during the golden age of comics.
The story weaves together art, ambition, and wartime struggles, offering a vivid look at their lives and dreams. It’s full of sharp details about the rise of comic books and feels alive with its mix of history and personal journeys.
Salman Rushdie is a storyteller who brings myths, history, and culture into his novels. One of his most engaging works is “Midnight’s Children.” The book follows Saleem Sinai, a boy born at the exact moment of India’s independence.
Saleem realizes he and other children born in that hour have special abilities. The story moves between his personal struggles and the challenges of a changing nation. It’s a mix of personal and political, filled with surprises and vivid moments.
Fans of Howard Jacobson’s clever and layered storytelling might enjoy Rushdie’s way of connecting individual lives with larger themes.
Ian McEwan is an author known for exploring the complexities of human relationships and moral dilemmas.
One of his standout novels, “Atonement,” begins with a misunderstanding that spirals into a life-altering series of events for a young girl, her sister, and a man wrongly accused.
The novel moves through decades, revealing the consequences of a single mistake during a hot summer at a wealthy English estate. Readers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth might find McEwan’s work absorbing.
Kazuo Ishiguro is a British writer known for exploring human emotions in stories that often leave readers reflecting on their own lives.
One of his most famous novels, “The Remains of the Day,” follows Stevens, an English butler who looks back on his years of service in a grand house.
Throughout the story, he examines his loyalty to his employer, Lord Darlington, and the professional choices that impacted his personal life.
The quiet yet heartfelt moments in the book, like Stevens’ restrained interactions with Miss Kenton, his housekeeper, reveal unspoken regrets and the cost of devotion to duty. It’s a deeply personal journey through memory and self-awareness.
Nicole Krauss writes stories that are thoughtful and deeply human. One of her novels, “The History of Love,” follows the lives of an elderly Holocaust survivor named Leo Gursky and a fourteen-year-old girl named Alma.
Their lives gradually connect through a mysterious manuscript that ties them across time and space. The book is filled with tender moments, like Leo walking the streets of New York to make sure he’s seen, so he won’t leave the world unnoticed.
Krauss weaves together big ideas about love, loss, and identity through the intimate details of her characters’ lives.
Hanif Kureishi is a British author known for exploring complex relationships and identity. His novel “The Buddha of Suburbia” tells the story of Karim, a mixed-race teenager in 1970s London, navigating family expectations and personal desires.
The book dives into his father’s spiritual awakening, relationships that pull him in conflicting directions, and his pursuit of acting. It paints a vivid picture of suburban life and the cultural shifts of the time, blending humor with sharp observations about class and race.
Dovid Katz is a linguist and writer known for blending deep cultural insights with engaging storytelling. His book, “Lithuanian Jewish Culture,” explores the history, traditions, and resilience of the Jewish communities in Lithuania.
Katz captures everyday life, religious practices, and the richness of Yiddish language in a way that feels close and personal. If you enjoy authors like Howard Jacobson, you may find Katz’s work fascinating for its balance of history and human experience.
Jonathan Safran Foer is an author known for his creative and emotional storytelling. His book, “Everything Is Illuminated,” tells the story of a young man named Jonathan who travels to Ukraine.
There, he searches for the woman who saved his grandfather’s life during the Holocaust. Along the way, he is joined by a quirky guide named Alex, who loves American culture but struggles with the English language, and Alex’s grandfather, who serves as their driver.
The journey is laced with humor and tragedy as it unfolds a history that connects deeply with Jonathan’s family. The mix of past and present creates a poignant exploration of memory and identity.
Will Self is a British author known for his sharp wit and dark humor. His book “Umbrella” explores the life of Audrey Death, a woman suffering from encephalitis lethargica, a condition that leaves her in a near-comatose state for decades.
The story shifts across time, focusing on the doctors and nurses at a mental hospital and the fragmented history of Audrey’s life. It’s a fascinating look at the struggles of the mind and the way history leaves its mark on people.