If you enjoy reading novels by John Steinbeck then you might also like the following authors:
Sinclair Lewis was an American author who often wrote about the everyday lives of small-town Americans in the early 20th century. If you like John Steinbeck’s realistic style, you might find Lewis’s book Main Street interesting.
The book follows Carol Kennicott, a young woman who moves to a small town called Gopher Prairie after her marriage. She hopes to bring fresh ideas and culture to the locals, but faces challenges from neighbors who prefer things to stay the same.
Lewis offers a clear look at small-town society and characters who feel authentic and familiar.
Ernest Hemingway was a writer known for his direct style and strong characters, often set in harsh or unforgiving environments.
One of his most famous books, “The Old Man and the Sea,” tells the story of Santiago, an aging fisherman who battles a massive marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. The book captures his struggle against the sea, the fish, and his own limitations.
It’s not only about the fight itself but also about pride, resilience, and what it means to endure. Hemingway focuses on the bond between man and nature in a way that reminds me of Steinbeck’s attention to human perseverance.
William Faulkner wrote stories that focus on life in the American South, exploring family, tradition, and the weight of history. His novel, “As I Lay Dying,” tells the story of the Bundren family’s journey to honor their matriarch’s dying wish to be buried in her hometown.
Each chapter is narrated by a different character, revealing their desires, secrets, and struggles. The family faces floods, fire, and other hardships on their way, and their determination drives the narrative.
Faulkner’s style captures the grit and complexity of human relationships in a way that reminds me of Steinbeck’s work.
Harper Lee is an American author known for her novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The book is set in a small Southern town during the Great Depression and explores themes like justice, racial inequality, and moral courage.
The story is told through the eyes of Scout Finch, a young girl whose father, Atticus, is a lawyer defending a Black man falsely accused of assaulting a white woman. The courtroom scenes and the tension in the town paint a vivid picture of prejudice and humanity.
Through Scout’s perspective, the story captures both innocence and the harsh realities of the world around her. Fans of John Steinbeck might appreciate the way Harper Lee portrays complex societal issues through the lens of ordinary people.
Sherwood Anderson was an American writer known for his focus on small-town life and ordinary people. His book, “Winesburg, Ohio,” is a collection of interconnected stories about the residents of a fictional town in Ohio.
The book shines a light on their struggles, dreams, and quiet loneliness. One story follows a young reporter, George Willard, who learns about the hidden lives of the townsfolk. Another tells of a man whose bottled-up emotions come out in a wild act of desperation.
Anderson brings out the quiet humanity of his characters in a way that captures a sense of yearning and hope. Fans of John Steinbeck might see something familiar in the way he tells stories about everyday people.
Upton Sinclair was an American author who often wrote about social and economic struggles, shining a light on issues faced by working-class people.
One of his most famous books, “The Jungle,” paints a vivid picture of the harsh conditions in Chicago’s meatpacking industry during the early 1900s.
The story follows Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant, and his family as they chase the American Dream but instead encounter exploitation, poverty, and corruption.
Through their eyes, readers experience the brutal realities of factory work, the ruthless tactics of corporations, and the toll it takes on people’s lives.
Sinclair’s work exposes the human cost of unchecked greed, offering a perspective that reminds readers of the depth and grit found in Steinbeck’s stories.
Eudora Welty was a Southern writer who told stories filled with vivid characters and a strong sense of place. Her novel, “The Optimist’s Daughter,” follows Laurel, a woman who returns to her hometown to care for her ailing father.
After his death, she confronts old memories and unresolved emotions tied to her family and her childhood home. The story captures the quiet struggles of grief and the tension between past and present.
Welty’s writing shines in her ability to make ordinary moments feel significant, drawing you into the lives of her characters. If you enjoy the emotional depth and humanity in John Steinbeck’s work, Welty might be a great discovery.
Jack London wrote stories about survival, nature, and the struggles of life. His book “The Call of the Wild” follows Buck, a dog stolen from his comfortable home and sold into the brutal world of sled dogs in the Alaskan wilderness.
Buck goes from being a domesticated pet to discovering his primal instincts. The story is filled with harsh environments, loyalty, and the fight to adapt in a world full of challenges.
It’s a vivid look at resilience, much like Steinbeck’s focus on human endurance in the face of hardship.
Richard Wright wrote powerful stories about racism and poverty in America. His book, “Native Son,” follows Bigger Thomas, a young Black man in 1930s Chicago. Bigger struggles to find his place in a society that sets him up to fail.
A single, desperate act spirals into events that shake his entire world. The story dives deep into fear, anger, and the crushing weight of inequality. Wright doesn’t shy away from hard truths, and Bigger is a character who stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
Toni Morrison was an author who wrote about struggles, history, and the bonds that hold people together. Her novel, “The Bluest Eye,” tells the story of Pecola Breedlove, a young Black girl in 1940s America who believes having blue eyes will make her beautiful and loved.
As Pecola faces hardship and rejection, the book paints a vivid picture of her world and the people in it. The story explores themes of identity, beauty standards, and the impact of trauma on a community.
Flannery O’Connor is an author known for her Southern Gothic style, often exploring dark themes with sharp, memorable characters.
Her novel, “Wise Blood,” follows Hazel Motes, a troubled young man who returns from the army and wrestles with faith and morality in his small Southern town. Hazel declares himself the leader of a strange, anti-religious church, but his journey is anything but straightforward.
The story is filled with eccentric figures, like a blind preacher and his deceitful daughter, who add layers to Hazel’s struggles.
O’Connor’s writing has a raw, atmospheric quality that reminds me of the way John Steinbeck explores the struggles of flawed yet deeply human characters.
Carson McCullers writes stories that focus on ordinary people dealing with loneliness, struggles, and deep emotions. Her novel, “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter,” introduces us to John Singer, a deaf man who becomes a confidant for a group of misfits in a small Southern town.
Each of these characters wrestles with their own hardships, from unfulfilled dreams to a longing for connection. The book paints a vivid picture of lives shaped by both personal and cultural isolation, capturing moments of quiet beauty and pain.
McCullers’ exploration of human nature feels raw and honest, similar to how Steinbeck portrays his characters.
Willa Cather is an American author known for writing about the lives of people on the frontier. One of her best-known books, “My Ántonia,” tells the story of a boy named Jim Burden and a girl named Ántonia Shimerda, immigrants settling in Nebraska.
The book shows the hardships and beauty of prairie life, focusing on their friendship as they grow up. Cather brings the land and its people to life in a way that feels honest and heartfelt.
Fans of Steinbeck’s portraits of human struggles might find her work meaningful and moving.
Stewart O’Nan writes with a focus on the quiet struggles of everyday people, capturing lives shaped by circumstance and persistence. His novel, “Last Night at the Lobster,” tells the story of Manny, a manager at a Red Lobster restaurant on its final day of operation.
As a snowstorm threatens to shut everything down, Manny tries to maintain dignity and order, juggling his sense of responsibility, fractured relationships, and the bitter reality of losing something he worked hard to build.
It’s a heartfelt glimpse into the lives of working-class characters, reminding readers of shared struggles and resilience.
Kent Haruf is known for his gentle and heartfelt storytelling, often set in small-town America. His novel “Plainsong” is a quiet, moving portrait of life in Holt, Colorado.
The story weaves together the lives of two reclusive elderly brothers, a pregnant teenager abandoned by her mother, and a struggling schoolteacher trying to raise his sons after his wife leaves. Haruf’s writing captures ordinary moments with care.
The interactions between the characters feel honest, focusing on how they build connections out of loneliness and hardship. It’s a story that reflects on human resilience and kindness.