If you enjoy reading books by John Williams then you might also like the following authors:
Kent Haruf writes stories that are quiet and deeply moving, often set in the small fictional town of Holt, Colorado. His novel “Plainsong” follows the lives of a few residents in this close-knit community.
There’s a pregnant teenager who is taken in by two elderly bachelor brothers, a teacher trying to help his sons after their mother leaves, and a lonely woman trying to find her place.
The writing has a gentle rhythm, showing how everyday lives can intersect in surprising and unforgettable ways.
Marilynne Robinson is an author known for her thoughtful and beautifully crafted novels. One of her best works is “Gilead,” a story told through the voice of John Ames, an elderly preacher in Iowa.
He writes a letter to his young son, reflecting on his life, his lineage, and the quiet struggles and joys of faith and family. The novel captures the intimacy of everyday life and looks at human connections across generations.
Fans of John Williams’ ability to portray ordinary lives with depth might enjoy Robinson’s way of bringing out the profound in small moments.
Cormac McCarthy writes stories that feel raw and deeply rooted in human struggle. His novel “All the Pretty Horses” follows a young man named John Grady Cole as he leaves Texas and heads to Mexico.
He’s chasing a life of independence and purpose, but instead he finds love, betrayal, and challenges that test his spirit. The settings are vivid, the dialogue is sparse, and McCarthy paints a picture of a world that feels both beautiful and harsh.
Willa Cather is an American author known for telling stories that capture the spirit of the American frontier and pioneer life. Her novel “My Ántonia” is a great example of this.
It follows the life of Jim Burden, a boy who moves to Nebraska, and Ántonia Shimerda, the daughter of a Bohemian immigrant family. The story is about their connection and the struggles of settling in a new land.
Through Jim’s memories, you see Ántonia as a strong and unforgettable woman who faces hardship and change with courage. The book paints a vivid picture of rural life, with vibrant descriptions of the vast prairie and the challenges of building a life on the frontier.
Wallace Stegner was an American author known for his thoughtful exploration of human relationships and the connection between people and place.
His novel “Angle of Repose” tells the story of Lyman Ward, a wheelchair-bound historian who pieces together the life of his grandmother through her old letters.
As he learns about her struggles and sacrifices while pioneering in the American West, he reflects on his own fractured family and changing world.
Stegner’s writing captures the harshness and beauty of the Western landscape, while offering a layered family story that feels real and rich in history. If you enjoyed John Williams’ focus on character and quiet intensity, Stegner might be another author to pick up.
Ivan Doig was an author known for capturing the spirit of the American West, focusing on the lives of ordinary people shaped by the land and its history.
In his book “The Whistling Season,” he tells the story of a widowed father, who, in 1910 Montana, hires a housekeeper after seeing her ad promising, “Can’t cook, but doesn’t bite.”
The book follows the lives of the family as the housekeeper and her eccentric brother bring unexpected changes. Set against the backdrop of a one-room schoolhouse and the rugged challenges of the prairie, the story weaves together humor, resilience, and a deep sense of place.
It’s a quiet and rich exploration of a world that feels both personal and expansive.
Richard Yates wrote with a keen eye for the struggles of ordinary people and the quiet dissatisfaction of suburban life. His novel, “Revolutionary Road,” follows Frank and April Wheeler, a young couple living in 1950s suburbia.
They dream of a more meaningful life, but their relationship starts to crack under the weight of their plans and unspoken fears. It’s a story about the gap between who people want to be and who they are, set against the backdrop of what seems like an idyllic American life.
James Salter was an American author known for his precise and elegant prose. One of his best-known novels, “A Sport and a Pastime,” takes place in rural France and follows the affair between a young American man and a French woman.
The story is narrated by an observer who pieces together their relationship through imagination and fragments of what he sees. The book captures moments of intimacy and the unpredictable nature of desire against the quiet backdrop of small-town life.
It’s the kind of story that lingers with you because of its vivid sense of place and raw emotion.
Peter Matthiessen was an author known for his sharp, thoughtful prose and deep connection to nature and humanity. His book “Shadow Country” is a reimagining of his earlier trilogy about Edgar J. Watson, a notorious figure in Florida’s Everglades at the turn of the 20th century.
It explores Watson’s life through the voices of those who knew him, revealing secrets, rivalries, and violence in a wild and hostile landscape. The book paints a vivid picture of a community struggling against the lawlessness of its time and the cost of survival.
William Maxwell was an American writer known for his delicate storytelling and deep understanding of human emotions. One of his most admired novels, “So Long, See You Tomorrow,” explores themes of guilt, loss, and memory.
The story is centered on a man reflecting on his childhood in a small Illinois town, where a tragic event shattered the lives of two families. As he tries to piece together what happened, he recalls his friendship with a boy named Cletus and the betrayal that drove them apart.
The book is quiet and reflective, with moments that stay with you long after reading. It’s a beautiful exploration of how the past can linger in unexpected ways.
Benedict Kiely was an Irish writer known for his storytelling and deep connection to the landscapes and people of Ireland.
One of his works, “The Cards of the Gambler,” explores themes of faith, morality, and human nature, centering on a priest caught up in the lives of gamblers, wanderers, and villagers.
The story brings the characters to life with vivid details, showing how their choices shape their paths in unexpected ways. Readers who appreciate John Williams’ focus on the flaws and resilience of ordinary people might find Kiely’s writing equally captivating.
Anthony Doerr is an author known for his beautiful writing and deep attention to character and place. His novel “All the Light We Cannot See” tells the story of a blind French girl named Marie-Laure and a German boy named Werner during World War II.
Marie-Laure flees Paris with her father as war sweeps through Europe, while Werner finds himself in a brutal youth academy before being sent into the military. Their lives cross in a small French town during the war.
Doerr weaves themes of survival, hope, and the human connection that persists even in the darkest times.
Ron Hansen is a writer known for exploring the deep humanity of his characters. His book “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” takes you into the final days of Jesse James, the famous outlaw, and the man who betrayed him.
The story gives you Robert Ford’s perspective, showing his obsession with Jesse and the weight of what it means to take down a legend. It paints a vivid picture of the West, filled with tension and a sense of inevitable tragedy.
David Malouf is an Australian writer who creates stories that feel deeply rooted in the world of their characters. His novel, “Ransom,” reimagines a small part of Homer’s *Iliad*.
It focuses on King Priam and his decision to personally plead with Achilles for the body of his son, Hector. The story explores how Priam, stepping away from his role as a king, seeks a human connection with his enemy.
It’s a quiet and intimate book, full of moments where the characters’ emotions and choices feel raw and real.
Edward Abbey wrote with a love for rugged landscapes and the stark beauty of the American Southwest. One of his well-known books, “Desert Solitaire,” is a memoir of his time working as a park ranger in Utah’s Arches National Monument.
Abbey describes his experiences living in the desert, where he often reflects on nature and humanity’s place in it. The book is filled with vivid scenes of vast canyons, desert animals, and the isolation of wild country.
His writing feels grounded and unflinching, capturing both the harshness and allure of the wilderness. Readers who enjoy John Williams’ ability to connect deeply with place might find Abbey’s perspective refreshing.