If you enjoy reading books by John Galsworthy then you might also like the following authors:
Books by Arnold Bennett often explore the social structures and personal ambitions of early 20th century England, a theme readers of John Galsworthy might find appealing.
One of his notable works is “The Old Wives’ Tale,” which follows two sisters, Constance and Sophia Baines, from their sheltered childhood in a provincial English town to their separate adult lives.
Bennett portrays their varied experiences, personal growth, and struggles against family expectations and societal pressures.
His detailed characters and thoughtful observations create an engaging narrative that vividly depicts the changing society and the shifting roles of women in that era.
Henry James was an American-British author known for sharp insights into society and character, qualities readers of John Galsworthy will enjoy.
In his novel “The Portrait of a Lady,” James introduces Isabel Archer, a young and spirited American woman who inherits a large fortune. She moves to Europe, where old-world traditions and cunning figures surround her, testing her ideals and independence.
The novel explores personal freedom, morality, and social expectations with subtle yet profound storytelling. James’ keen observation of people’s motives and how they navigate society makes his work appealing to those who appreciate Galsworthy’s style.
Thomas Hardy was an English author known for vivid portrayals of rural life and complex human emotions. If you’re a fan of John Galsworthy’s rich characters and thoughtful insights, Hardy may also appeal to you.
In his novel “Far from the Madding Crowd,” Hardy introduces Bathsheba Everdene, an independent and spirited woman who attracts three very different suitors.
Through Bathsheba’s story, Hardy explores themes of love, social expectations, and personal growth within a detailed pastoral setting. His realistic approach and attention to character development offer readers a story full of drama and emotional depth.
Anthony Trollope was a Victorian novelist known for his sharp portrayal of English society and detailed character studies. If you enjoy John Galsworthy’s exploration of social class and family dynamics, you might appreciate Trollope’s novel, “The Way We Live Now”.
In this satirical story, Trollope paints a vivid picture of financial greed, ambition, and corruption in 19th-century England. At its center is Augustus Melmotte, a financier whose mysterious rise excites both fascination and suspicion among London’s upper class.
Trollope’s skillful blend of humor and sharp observation brings to life a society driven by money and status.
Books by D. H. Lawrence often explore deep human emotions and societal norms of early 20th-century England, similar to the novels of John Galsworthy.
Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers” follows young Paul Morel as he struggles between his intense affection for his mother and his desire to pursue romantic relationships.
The novel portrays Paul’s life in a coal-mining community, depicting with honesty the tensions between family loyalty, love, and personal freedom.
Lawrence’s realistic storytelling, strong characters, and vivid emotional portrayals will resonate strongly with readers who appreciate Galsworthy’s thoughtful examinations of family life and society.
Books by E. M. Forster often explore social tensions and personal conflicts within British society, themes that readers of John Galsworthy will find familiar.
In “Howards End,” Forster presents the lives of two vastly different families in early 20th-century England—the intellectual, idealistic Schlegel sisters and the materialistic, practical Wilcoxes—whose worlds unexpectedly collide.
Through relationships, misunderstandings, and complex moral choices, the characters highlight class boundaries, family loyalties, and changing social values in England.
Forster’s clear yet thoughtful narrative reveals the subtle forces that shape people’s lives in a world struggling to adjust to modernity. If you enjoyed Galsworthy’s nuanced social portrayals, “Howards End” offers another insightful glimpse into human behavior and society.
Ford Madox Ford was an English novelist known for insightful and detailed explorations of society and personal relationships, reminiscent of themes explored by John Galsworthy.
In his famous work “The Good Soldier,” Ford offers a story narrated by John Dowell, who recounts the lives of two seemingly perfect couples and reveals hidden secrets and betrayals beneath polished exteriors.
Ford masterfully examines morality, self-deception, and the conflict between public image and private desires. This intricate portrayal of human nature and social constraints resonates closely with the style and depth Galsworthy readers will appreciate.
Readers who appreciate John Galsworthy’s thoughtful exploration of societal pressures and human relationships may find George Eliot equally engaging.
Eliot, the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, is known for novels rich in character study and realistic portrayal of rural English society. In her classic novel “Middlemarch,” Eliot follows the lives of several residents in a provincial town in nineteenth-century England.
At the center is Dorothea Brooke, a passionate young woman who seeks meaning and purpose beyond her constrained role in society.
Eliot masterfully weaves together the stories of ambition, marriage, political intrigue, and personal sacrifice, creating a vivid panorama of human experience and social observation that echoes Galsworthy’s style.
Virginia Woolf was an influential English novelist known for exploring deep human emotions and the complex dynamics within relationships.
If you enjoyed John Galsworthy’s detailed portrayal of family and society in “The Forsyte Saga,” Woolf’s novel “To the Lighthouse” offers an intimate look into the Ramsay family as they spend their summers on the Scottish Isle of Skye.
Told through the family members’ thoughts and feelings, the novel explores their connections, their dreams, disappointments and memories. Woolf paints vivid pictures through her lyrical prose and takes readers right into the inner lives of her characters.
Readers who enjoy John Galsworthy may appreciate the works of William Dean Howells, an American author known for his realistic portrayals of society and moral dilemmas.
His novel “The Rise of Silas Lapham” centers on Silas Lapham, a self-made paint manufacturer from humble beginnings who tries to secure his place in Boston’s high society.
As Silas navigates issues of ambition, family expectations, and integrity, readers see the conflict between personal values and social advancement clearly depicted.
Howell’s sharp observations and strong characters offer an insightful look at America’s class dynamics and the costs of upward mobility.
Edith Wharton was an American novelist of the early 20th century whose writing vividly captures the manners and morals of upper-class American society.
Readers who appreciate John Galsworthy’s detailed portrayal of family tensions and personal dilemmas in “The Forsyte Saga” may especially enjoy Wharton’s “The Age of Innocence.”
Set in New York society during the 1870s, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows Newland Archer as he navigates duty, tradition, and romance.
Archer’s engagement to the conventional May Welland becomes complicated after the arrival of her cousin, the intriguing Countess Ellen Olenska.
The narrative skillfully explores themes of love and societal expectations, highlighting the constraints on individual happiness imposed by social norms.
Through insightful observations and subtle tension, Wharton showcases the emotional depth beneath the polished surfaces of high society.
Graham Greene was an English novelist known for his thoughtful characters and moral depth. His novels often explore human nature and the complicated choices people must face.
In “The Quiet American,” Greene tells the story of Fowler, a British journalist living in Vietnam during the French colonial war. Fowler becomes involved with an idealistic young American named Alden Pyle, whose naïve outlook on Vietnam leads to unexpected consequences.
As the story unfolds, Greene examines personal loyalties, conflicting ideals, and the tangled nature of political intervention.
Readers who enjoy John Galsworthy’s thoughtful exploration of society and intimate portrayal of characters may find Greene’s blend of moral reflection and vivid storytelling appealing.
Readers who enjoy John Galsworthy’s thoughtful exploration of society and humanity might appreciate the works of H. G. Wells. Wells often uses imaginative settings to pose powerful social questions and issues of morality.
His novel “The Time Machine” follows an inventor who builds a device to travel into the distant future.
There, he finds humanity divided into two very different societies: the gentle Eloi who appear carefree and child-like, and the Morlocks—a darker, subterranean race who seem to share none of the Eloi’s grace or humanity.
This provocative story is more than an adventure—it offers a sharp commentary on class divisions and human progress. Wells, similar to Galsworthy, examines the social structure of his times through vivid storytelling that captivates readers.
If you enjoy John Galsworthy’s thoughtful exploration of family dynamics and social issues, you’ll appreciate John Steinbeck’s “East of Eden.” Steinbeck, known for his strong characters and vivid storytelling, masterfully portrays two families in California’s Salinas Valley.
This novel spans generations and examines complex relationships, moral choices, and the lasting impact of sibling rivalry. Through characters like the devoted Samuel Hamilton and the intense Cathy Ames, Steinbeck creates a story full of ambition, betrayal, and redemption.
Like Galsworthy, Steinbeck captures the tensions and deep emotions within families and communities, making “East of Eden” hard to put down.
Joseph Conrad was a Polish-British author known for his profound explorations of moral dilemmas and complex characters, often set in exotic places.
Readers who appreciate John Galsworthy’s thoughtful portrayals of society and human interactions may also connect with Conrad’s novel “Heart of Darkness.” This book tells the story of Charles Marlow, a sailor journeying deep into the Congo, sent to locate an agent named Kurtz.
Along the way, Marlow encounters the harsh reality of colonialism and confronts unsettling truths about human nature. The novel examines moral ambiguity and inner conflict, themes familiar to fans of Galsworthy’s thoughtful narratives.