If you enjoy reading books by Jess Kidd then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Jess Kidd's ability to blend the bizarre with dark humor, you might like Patrick McCabe. His stories often mix unsettling situations with dark comedy, capturing everyday life in twisted ways.
His novel, The Butcher Boy, is a story of madness and violence told through the eyes of a disturbed but oddly sympathetic narrator. McCabe's work frequently explores isolation and the darker parts of small-town Irish life, much like Jess Kidd.
Kevin Barry is another writer worth discovering if you appreciate Jess Kidd's humor and lyrical storytelling. Barry is great at portraying strange, memorable characters and vivid Irish settings.
His novel Night Boat to Tangier features sharp dialogue and a mix of humor and melancholy, drawing readers into the unusual lives of two aging criminals. Barry's writing is full of energy and always distinctively Irish.
Fans of Jess Kidd's playful style and imaginative plots might enjoy Flann O'Brien. His writing combines intelligent satire, absurdity, and surrealism to create memorable stories.
In the classic The Third Policeman, O'Brien delivers a strange and comic tale of bicycles, philosophy, and mysterious murders. Like Kidd, he's able to create a sense of the extraordinary within ordinary Irish life, delivering fun along with thoughtful commentary.
Readers who appreciate Jess Kidd's mix of gothic elements and magical realism should give Angela Carter a try. Carter is well-known for retelling classic stories and fairy tales in daring and original ways.
Her book The Bloody Chamber is packed with dark, lush imagery, exploring the hidden layers beneath traditional gender roles and fairy-tale clichés. Carter's storytelling is both beautiful and eerie, sure to satisfy readers looking for something magical and daring.
If you admire Jess Kidd's ability to weave mysteries with historical settings, Sarah Waters may be an author you'll enjoy. She skillfully combines suspense, vivid historical detail, and strong, engaging characters.
In her novel Fingersmith, Waters brings Victorian England vividly to life through a suspenseful tale of betrayal, romance, and deception. Her books often explore complex relationships and hidden layers of society, with surprising twists and compelling characters you'll remember.
If you enjoy Jess Kidd's mix of mystery and rich atmosphere, you'll probably like Tana French. Her novels focus on complex characters with deep psychological insights, often set against a highly detailed Irish backdrop.
In the Woods follows detective Rob Ryan as he investigates a murder that connects back to his troubled childhood. French combines suspenseful storytelling with thoughtful examinations of memory, identity, and the past intruding upon the present.
Fans of Jess Kidd's blend of magical realism and emotional depth might appreciate Alice Hoffman. Her novels weave magic subtly into everyday life, exploring heartfelt themes like family bonds, love, and loss.
In Practical Magic, Hoffman tells the story of two sisters navigating complicated relationships, family curses, and their own magical gifts. Her lyrical, emotive style crafts stories that captivate and comfort readers.
If you like Jess Kidd's atmospheric storytelling and use of fairy tale elements, Eowyn Ivey could be a wonderful next read. Her books explore themes of isolation, survival, and the mystery of nature, often set against an evocative Alaskan backdrop.
In The Snow Child, Ivey tells the story of a grieving couple who build a snow girl one evening, only to find their creation come to life. Her novel captures the emotional truth of human longing matched with enchanting storytelling.
Like Jess Kidd, Karen Russell builds stories filled with playful strangeness and rich imagination. Her narratives mix reality with uncanny, often surreal settings and situations.
Swamplandia! introduces Ava Bigtree, a young girl whose family owns an alligator wrestling park in the Florida swamp. The novel combines vivid descriptions, quirky scenarios, and heartfelt explorations of grief, family, and coming of age.
Readers who appreciate the whimsical yet thoughtful nature of Jess Kidd's style might enjoy Helen Oyeyemi's innovative storytelling. Oyeyemi blends folklore, myth, and contemporary themes into narratives that are often enigmatic and charming.
Boy, Snow, Bird retells the Snow White fairy tale in a 1950s American setting, examining issues of race, identity, and beauty with grace and complexity. Her work invites readers into thought-provoking tales where reality and fable interweave effortlessly.
Kate Atkinson blends clever storytelling with deep characterization and thoughtful mystery. In her novel Life After Life, she uses a creative time-loop structure, exploring the many possibilities that shape a single life.
Her thoughtful mix of historical detail, emotional realism, and imaginative scenarios will appeal to readers who enjoy Jess Kidd’s inventive narratives and rich character portraits.
Evie Wyld is known for her quietly powerful writing and stories that delve into complex human emotions. In her book The Bass Rock, she explores themes of grief, isolation, and women's experiences through interwoven stories across different timelines.
If you appreciate Jess Kidd’s atmospheric settings and thoughtful exploration of complex themes, Wyld’s textured storytelling will resonate strongly.
Bridget Collins combines fantasy, historical fiction, and emotional depth in engaging narratives. In The Binding, Collins imagines a world where painful memories can be bound into books, hidden away forever.
Her imaginative concept, richly evocative style, and exploration of memory and secrets are sure to captivate readers who admire Jess Kidd’s blend of suspenseful mystery and magical realism.
Stuart Turton creates clever mysteries full of twists, puzzles, and unique narrative experiments.
His novel The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle features an intricate plot with an investigator who wakes up each day in a different body, trapped in a timeless cycle until he solves a baffling murder.
Readers who enjoy Jess Kidd’s playful storytelling, labyrinthine plots, and genre-bending creativity will find much to love here.
Diane Setterfield writes atmospheric and haunting historical tales that explore storytelling and human connections.
Her novel The Thirteenth Tale centers on secrets, family mysteries, and gothic atmosphere, involving a reclusive author revealing hidden truths from her shadowy past.
For those who are fans of Jess Kidd’s mysterious settings, engaging narrative style, and exploration of family secrets, Setterfield offers a gripping reading experience.