If you enjoy reading books by Jane Austen then you might also like the following authors:
Charlotte Brontë was a 19th-century English writer with a talent for crafting deeply emotional stories set against vividly drawn settings. Her novel, “Jane Eyre,” follows an orphaned girl who grows up under harsh conditions but remains fiercely independent.
As she takes a position as a governess at Thornfield Hall, she encounters the enigmatic Mr. Rochester. The story weaves together romance and mystery, with moments of tension that keep you hooked.
Jane’s quiet strength and sense of self make her a memorable heroine, standing tall in a world that often tries to diminish her.
Elizabeth Gaskell was a wonderful storyteller who often wrote about social issues, relationships, and the personal struggles of her characters.
One of her most admired works, “North and South,” follows Margaret Hale, a young woman who moves from the peaceful countryside of southern England to an industrial town in the north.
As Margaret adjusts to the new environment, she encounters mill workers and their harsh realities. At the same time, she clashes with John Thornton, a stern mill owner whose beliefs and personality challenge her own.
The book explores class differences and industrial conflict but also weaves in emotional family moments and a slow-building connection between Margaret and Thornton.
Fans of Jane Austen might appreciate Gaskell’s focus on human emotions and moral choices set against changing social landscapes.
George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, wrote novels that explore the choices and challenges people face in their daily lives. If you enjoy the social dynamics and relationships in Jane Austen’s work, you might like Eliot’s “Middlemarch.”
This book focuses on the lives of people in a small English town and shows how their decisions shape their futures. One of the characters, Dorothea Brooke, dreams of doing something meaningful but ends up in a stifling marriage to an older scholar.
Another thread follows a young doctor, Tertius Lydgate, who has ambitious plans for modernizing medicine but gets caught in personal struggles. Eliot writes about people trying to navigate love, ambition, and morality, and she creates characters who feel real and layered.
Fanny Burney was an English novelist who wrote stories full of wit and sharp observations of social manners. One of her most famous books, “Evelina,” follows a young woman as she navigates her way through high society.
Evelina is the unacknowledged daughter of a wealthy father, and when she enters fashionable life in London, she encounters awkward situations, misunderstandings, and romantic entanglements.
The book paints vivid scenes of ballrooms, theaters, and outings, where Evelina tries to find her place while dealing with both charmers and scoundrels.
Burney’s writing showcases the humor and awkwardness of being new to high society, making it an enjoyable read for fans of Austen’s social dramas.
Maria Edgeworth was an Irish writer known for her clever and detailed portrayals of society. She wrote novels that explored relationships, class, and morality. Her book “Belinda” follows a young woman navigating the social circles of London.
Belinda’s encounters with strong, flawed characters—such as the eccentric Lady Delacour—create a story filled with wit and moments of drama.
The book touches on love, personal growth, and the tensions between societal expectations and individuality, offering a sharp look at human nature. Fans of Jane Austen will likely enjoy Edgeworth’s blend of humor and keen observation.
Anthony Trollope was a 19th-century English author known for his sharp eye for social dynamics and character-driven stories. If you enjoy the way Jane Austen writes about class and relationships, you might like his novel “Barchester Towers.”
The book is set in a small cathedral town and follows a power struggle within the church after a new bishop arrives. It’s full of witty dialogue, misunderstandings, and secret ambitions.
Characters like the manipulative Mrs. Proudie and the charmingly clueless Mr. Slope make the story lively. There’s also a young widow, Eleanor, caught in the middle of romantic and social schemes.
It’s a story about ambition and love told with humor and an understanding of human nature.
Thomas Hardy wrote stories about life in rural England, often focusing on love, society, and the struggles of individuals against the world around them.
One of his well-known novels, “Far From the Madding Crowd,” follows Bathsheba Everdene, an independent woman who inherits a farm.
She attracts the attention of three very different suitors: the steady shepherd Gabriel Oak, the wealthy but lonely Farmer Boldwood, and the charming but reckless Sergeant Troy. The story explores how her choices affect her life and the lives of those around her.
It’s full of drama, surprising twists, and moments of heartbreak, all set in the beautiful English countryside that Hardy describes so vividly.
Anne Brontë is one of the Brontë sisters, known for her deep understanding of human nature and sharp social commentary. Her novel “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” tells the story of a mysterious woman, Helen Graham, who moves into Wildfell Hall with her young son.
She hides her past from the curious neighbors, sparking rumors and questions. Through her story, the book explores themes of independence, love, and the challenges women face in society.
The way Helen wrestles with her choices and stands by her beliefs makes her one of the most memorable characters in Victorian literature.
Wilkie Collins was a 19th-century author known for creating stories full of drama, mystery, and unforgettable characters. One of his most famous novels, “The Woman in White,” begins with a haunting encounter on a moonlit road.
Walter Hartright, a drawing teacher, meets a mysterious woman dressed entirely in white. She seems frightened and hints at a dark secret before disappearing into the night.
The story unfolds with twists, romance, and betrayal, as Walter uncovers a sinister plot involving the wealthy Fairlie family. Fans of Jane Austen might enjoy the detailed social dynamics and strong female characters Collins brings to life.
Louisa May Alcott is an author known for writing heartfelt and realistic stories about family, love, and personal growth. In her novel “Little Women,” she follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they grow up during the Civil War.
Each sister has her own personality and dreams, from Jo’s passion for writing to Amy’s aspirations for artistic success. The story explores their challenges, relationships, and the bonds that hold them together as they navigate life’s ups and downs.
Fans of Jane Austen may enjoy the rich character development and the focus on everyday life and human connections.
Thomas Love Peacock was an English novelist who wrote sharp and witty social satires. Fans of Jane Austen might enjoy his clever dialogue and his focus on human behavior.
One of his most well-known novels, “Nightmare Abbey,” pokes fun at the Romantic movement and its brooding artists. The story centers on Scythrop, a young man living in a gloomy, over-the-top gothic mansion with his eccentric father.
Scythrop dreams of revolution and romance but keeps getting caught in ridiculous situations, including tangled love interests and absurd philosophical debates.
The humor comes from the overdone seriousness of the characters and how their dramatic ideals clash with everyday reality.
Frances Hodgson Burnett was a British-American author who wrote stories full of emotion and transformation, often set against social contrasts.
Her novel “A Little Princess” tells the story of Sara Crewe, a young girl sent to a boarding school while her wealthy father goes to India. Sara starts out living in comfort, but when tragedy strikes, she is left penniless and forced to work in the school.
What makes this book special is Sara’s unwavering kindness and imagination, even in the face of cruelty from others. It’s the sort of story that highlights human resilience and the power of inner strength, which readers of Austen’s works might enjoy.
Margaret Oliphant was a prolific 19th-century writer known for her sharp observations of social dynamics and family relationships. Fans of Jane Austen might enjoy her novel, “Miss Marjoribanks.”
It tells the story of Lucilla Marjoribanks, a young woman who returns home determined to make her mark in her small town’s society. Lucilla is clever, ambitious, and confident in her ability to charm and control every situation.
The book focuses on her efforts to establish herself as the queen of social life while exploring themes of social class, marriage, and the power of personality.
Lucilla’s attempts to mold her surroundings to her liking lead to plans that often go hilariously awry, which makes it a delightful read.
George Meredith was a Victorian writer known for his sharp wit and keen observation of human relationships. His novel, “The Egoist,” revolves around Sir Willoughby Patterne, a self-absorbed aristocrat whose charm begins to crack as those around him grow tired of his egotism.
The story explores love, class, and personal vanity through clever dialogue and complex characters. Clara Middleton, Sir Willoughby’s fiancée, is a particularly memorable character as she grapples with the pressures of society and her own desire for freedom.
Fans of Jane Austen may appreciate Meredith’s humor and how he examines social norms with precision and depth.
Susan Ferrier was a Scottish author known for her sharp wit and ability to capture the complexities of family and society. Her novel, “Marriage,” follows the life of a young woman, Mary, who elopes with a charming but irresponsible man.
As the story unfolds, Mary’s experiences force her to confront harsh realities about love, class, and ambition.
The book paints vivid pictures of Scotland and its social expectations while offering memorable characters, including Mary’s skeptical father and a circle of relatives and friends with all their flaws and quirks.
Ferrier’s humor and keen observation bring the drama to life in a way that fans of Jane Austen would enjoy.