If you enjoy reading books by John O'Hara then you might also like the following authors:
F. Scott Fitzgerald is an author known for capturing the lives of people chasing dreams, wealth, and status during the Jazz Age.
His novel “The Great Gatsby” tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who throws extravagant parties in the hope of reconnecting with his lost love, Daisy Buchanan.
Set in 1920s Long Island, the book explores ambition, love, and the emptiness that can come with achieving it all. Fitzgerald’s work shares a focus on social class and personal desire that fans of John O’Hara may appreciate.
Edith Wharton was an American author known for her sharp observations of upper-class society and its secrets. In her novel “The House of Mirth,” she tells the story of Lily Bart, a young woman navigating New York’s high society in the early 1900s.
Lily is beautiful and charming, but she struggles with the pressures to marry for wealth, clashing with her own desires for independence and love. The book shines a light on the rigid social rules and the cost of breaking them.
Wharton’s writing captures the world of privilege and its hidden traps, making it a fascinating read for those who enjoy stories about complex human relationships.
Sinclair Lewis was an American author who wrote about the everyday lives of people in small-town America, capturing the struggles and hypocrisies beneath their appearances.
One of his most well-known novels, “Babbitt,” follows George F. Babbitt, a real estate agent in a Midwestern city. Babbitt spends his days chasing success and fitting into societal norms, but cracks start to show in his carefully constructed life.
The book paints a vivid picture of the pressures of conformity and the longing for something more.
Sherwood Anderson was an American writer known for his straightforward and unembellished style. His book “Winesburg, Ohio” is a collection of interconnected short stories set in a small midwestern town.
The stories focus on various townspeople who all carry secret struggles or desires, creating a portrait of loneliness and longing. One story follows a young reporter named George Willard, who acts as a link between the characters.
In another, a shy teacher wrestles with unspoken love. Anderson paints these ordinary lives in a way that feels deeply personal and relatable. Readers who enjoy stories about human flaws and quiet moments might find his work engaging.
Ernest Hemingway is known for his straightforward prose and stories that often tackle the struggles of ordinary people.
One of his famous books, “The Sun Also Rises,” follows a group of expatriates traveling from Paris to Spain, grappling with love, identity, and disillusionment after World War I.
The story captures the mood of a generation trying to find meaning in a world that feels broken, with moments set against vivid backdrops, like the excitement of the Spanish bullfights. Hemingway’s writing has a rawness that makes human emotions feel immediate and real.
Richard Yates was a writer known for capturing the struggles of ordinary people dealing with life’s failures and disappointments.
His book “Revolutionary Road” tells the story of Frank and April Wheeler, a suburban couple in the 1950s who dream of breaking free from their routine lives. They make plans to move to Paris, hoping to rediscover purpose and escape the ordinary.
Their relationship, however, is tested by unspoken truths, personal insecurities, and the weight of societal expectations. Yates paints a vivid picture of their marriage and the quiet despair that often lies beneath polished appearances.
William Somerset Maugham was a British author known for his sharp observations about human nature and society. His novel “Of Human Bondage” is about Philip Carey, an orphan with a clubfoot whose life is filled with struggles and self-discovery.
Philip deals with unrequited love, failed ambitions, and questions about his own worth. It’s a story that looks at how people grapple with their desires and vulnerabilities, exploring what truly gives life meaning.
Truman Capote had a sharp eye for detail and a way of capturing human flaws that can leave a lasting impression. One of his standout works is “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
The novella revolves around Holly Golightly, a young woman in New York who charms and confuses everyone she meets. She’s both glamorous and messy, with a mysterious past and a knack for slipping through the grasp of anyone who tries to define her.
The story is narrated by a writer who becomes fascinated by Holly when she moves into his building. Capote’s portrayal of her shows both her bright, carefree side and the loneliness hiding underneath.
It’s a tale of connection, independence, and the masks people wear to get through life.
John Cheever is known for capturing the lives of suburban Americans, often showing the tension between their outward appearances and inner struggles.
His novel “Bullet Park” tells the story of a man named Eliot Nailles, who lives in a quiet suburb, and a newcomer, Paul Hammer, whose arrival stirs up dark and unexpected events.
The book paints a picture of suburban life that’s both familiar and unsettling, where ordinary routines mask deeper problems. Fans of John O’Hara might enjoy the way Cheever writes about flawed characters and the undercurrents in seemingly ordinary settings.
Walker Percy was an American writer known for exploring the struggles of modern life with wit and insight. His novel, “The Moviegoer,” follows Binx Bolling, a young man from New Orleans who spends his days going to the movies and drifting through life.
Beneath his daily routine, he wrestles with deeper questions about purpose and connection. The story centers on his existential search for meaning while navigating complicated family relationships and a city that feels both familiar and distant.
It’s a quietly powerful book, perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth.
Raymond Carver is an author known for his short stories, focusing on ordinary people facing struggles in their everyday lives. His book “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” captures moments of raw emotion and complexity in relationships.
One story features two couples sitting around a table, sharing stories about what love means to them. The conversations seem simple, but they reveal deeper layers of pain, jealousy, and tenderness that stay with you long after reading.
Fans of John O’Hara might appreciate Carver’s way of revealing so much through subtle dialogue and everyday details.
Irwin Shaw was an American writer who had a knack for exploring human ambition and the personal struggles that come with it. His novel “The Young Lions” follows three men, caught in the chaos of World War II, as their lives intersect in unexpected ways.
One is an idealistic American soldier, another a jaded Hollywood writer, and the third a conflicted German officer. The story doesn’t romanticize war but instead focuses on how the experiences shape and challenge each of them.
Shaw’s attention to personal motivations and moral questions gives the book a sharp edge. Fans of John O’Hara might enjoy how he connects the small details of individual lives with the bigger events around them.
Philip Roth was an American author known for his sharp insights into human behavior and desire. In his novel “Goodbye, Columbus,” Roth tells the story of a young librarian, Neil Klugman, who falls for Brenda Patimkin, a wealthy college student from a different social world.
The book explores their summer romance and the tensions that come with their differing backgrounds. Roth’s writing has a keen focus on character and social class, which might appeal to readers who enjoy John O’Hara’s work.
Saul Bellow was an American writer known for his sharp insights into human nature and the complexities of modern life. His novel “Seize the Day” follows Tommy Wilhelm, a struggling man in New York who is grappling with failure in his career and personal life.
The story takes place over a single day and captures his emotional journey as he faces his father’s cold disdain and the harsh realities of his choices. The book paints a vivid picture of a man searching for dignity and connection in a world that feels indifferent.
James Jones captures raw human emotions and complicated relationships with a straightforward, no-nonsense style. His book, “From Here to Eternity,” follows soldiers stationed in Hawaii before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
It looks at their struggles with authority, love, and the harsh realities of military life. The main character, Robert E. Lee Prewitt, faces pressure from his superiors while staying true to his principles, which creates a tense and honest portrait of personal sacrifice.
Fans of John O’Hara’s focus on human flaws and desires might find a lot to admire in Jones’ work.