Joshua Cohen’s books have a very particular flavor. His novels are experimental, always full of ideas. Many of them look closely at Jewish identity and history. He often uses satire and humor in his stories.
If you enjoy books with a similar feel, books that make you think and are not afraid to play with style, then you might be searching for other writers. This article will point you to a few authors whose work has some things in common with Joshua Cohen’s.
Readers who enjoy Joshua Cohen’s sharp observations and thoughtful storytelling may appreciate Ben Lerner’s literary approach. Lerner’s novel “10:04” explores the blurred lines between fiction and reality.
The story follows a writer living in New York City who grapples with uncertainty, ambition, and the anxiety of looming storms—both literal and figurative.
Lerner’s narrative skillfully blends personal experiences, urban life, and social commentary, creating a reflective exploration of art, ambition, and human connection. With moments of humor and insight, “10:04” offers readers an engaging and thoughtful reading experience.
David Foster Wallace is an author known for writing ambitious novels filled with sharp social commentary, wit, and thoughtful storytelling. If you enjoy the layered style and smart observations of Joshua Cohen, Wallace’s novel “Infinite Jest” could be a rewarding read.
The book revolves around a mysterious film so entertaining it traps viewers in endless obsession. Characters are connected through the quest for this elusive entertainment, exploring media culture, addiction, and family dysfunction.
Wallace crafts a vivid and surreal view of society marked by humor, eccentric characters, and an inventive use of language.
If you enjoy Joshua Cohen’s sharp wit, vivid storytelling, and thoughtful explorations of identity, you might appreciate Michael Chabon’s work. Chabon is known for insightful narratives and imaginative prose.
One of his standout novels, “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” follows two gifted Jewish cousins, Joe Kavalier and Sammy Clay, who create comic book heroes in the shadow of World War II.
Chabon brings 1940s New York to life through stories of friendship, art, and real-world struggles. For readers drawn to complex characters facing historical challenges, Chabon’s novel offers depth and humor in equal measure.
Readers who appreciate Joshua Cohen’s sharp wit and keen observation of contemporary life might enjoy George Saunders. Saunders is known for stories that blend satire, humor, and tenderness.
His collection “Tenth of December” exemplifies this style, presenting characters facing peculiar but relatable moral dilemmas.
In one story, a shy boy encounters a man intent on ending his own life, leading both characters toward an unexpected connection that feels both profound and honest.
Saunders captures the complexity of human thoughts and emotions through distinctive voices and scenarios that stay memorable long after reading.
Readers who enjoy Joshua Cohen’s sharp take on contemporary life might appreciate Jonathan Franzen. Franzen is known for his honest portrayals of American families and the subtle ways people handle change and loss. His novel “The Corrections” stands out as a great example.
It tells the story of the Lambert family, whose aging parents hope to gather everyone for one last meaningful Christmas. Each adult child grapples with their own set of personal struggles, from failed dreams and financial woes to awkward relationships.
Franzen explores the tensions beneath the surface of family life with humor, emotional depth, and an insightful look at the challenges of modern society.
If you enjoy Joshua Cohen’s thoughtful storytelling and sharp observations, Nicole Krauss may resonate with you as well. Krauss often explores deep themes of memory, identity, and the connections we share.
Her novel “The History of Love” follows elderly Holocaust survivor Leo Gursky as he navigates loneliness and memories, after losing his loved ones years ago in Poland.
Meanwhile, in another part of New York, a young girl named Alma embarks on a quest surrounding an influential old book linked to Leo’s past.
Their separate lives unfold side-by-side, eventually intertwining in surprising and heartfelt ways, with language and literature bridging the gap between generations, loss, and love.
Zadie Smith is a British author known for her sharp wit and engaging exploration of modern life. If you enjoy Joshua Cohen’s keen observations on culture and society, Smith’s novel “White Teeth” might interest you.
This book takes readers through multiple generations and cultures. At its center are two wartime friends, Archie Jones and Samad Iqbal: one is laid-back and indecisive; the other is assertive but conflicted.
As their families grow, the story examines identity, race, history, and the complexities of living in multicultural London. Smith skillfully ties together humor, depth, and characters you’ll genuinely care about.
Books by Rachel Kushner often explore complex characters and themes of political and social unrest, set against gritty and vivid backdrops.
In her novel “The Flamethrowers,” Kushner introduces readers to Reno, a young artist fascinated by speed, motorcycles, and the vibrant chaos of 1970s New York City.
Moving between the downtown art scene, daring speed trials, and revolutionary turmoil in Italy, the novel weaves personal ambitions and political turmoil into a dramatic narrative.
Readers who enjoyed Joshua Cohen’s sharp analysis of contemporary society and identity in “The Netanyahus” may appreciate Kushner’s thoughtful depiction of culture and rebellion, as well as her equally smart, immersive storytelling.
If you enjoy the sharp wit and layered narratives of Joshua Cohen, you might appreciate Don DeLillo’s novels too. DeLillo is an American author known for exploring contemporary culture, technology, and the complexity of modern life.
His novel “White Noise” is a satirical look at consumerism, fear, and family life in America. The story follows Jack Gladney, a college professor who teaches Hitler studies and becomes paranoid about death after his community is threatened by a toxic chemical spill.
The book cleverly pokes fun at modern anxieties while raising thoughtful questions about society and identity.
Readers who appreciate Joshua Cohen might also enjoy Teju Cole, an author known for thoughtful narratives that explore identity, culture, and the intersections of personal and political realities.
Cole’s novel “Open City” follows Julius, a Nigerian-German psychiatrist wandering through New York’s streets. As Julius walks through the city, he reflects deeply on history, memory, and his own sense of displacement.
His encounters with various individuals reveal vivid personal stories, seamlessly blending philosophy and everyday life. Throughout the book, the city emerges as a central character, rich with meanings and hidden connections that Julius slowly discovers.
“Open City” is an absorbing exploration of isolation and contemplation amid the complexity of urban existence.
Saul Bellow was an American novelist celebrated for witty, insightful books that explore human nature and modern society. If you enjoy Joshua Cohen’s sharp observations about contemporary life, you might appreciate Bellow’s “Herzog.”
The novel tells the story of Moses Herzog, a troubled academic whose life is falling apart after his second divorce. Moses begins compulsively writing letters to friends, philosophers, family members—even deceased thinkers and politicians—to make sense of his problems.
The letters offer a glimpse into Herzog’s restless mind and his unique perspective on modern life’s confusion and absurdity. Bellow portrays Herzog both humorously and poignantly, making this a thoughtful read that connects you deeply with the character’s inner struggles.
Books by Thomas Pynchon offer complex and imaginative stories, filled with humor, conspiracy theories, and richly layered plots. If you enjoy Joshua Cohen’s sharp, thought-provoking writing, Pynchon’s “The Crying of Lot 49” may appeal to you.
The novel follows Oedipa Maas, who unexpectedly becomes the executor of her ex-boyfriend’s estate. She discovers a mysterious underground postal system that may or may not exist, leading her into a twisted search for truth.
The narrative is engaging and chaotic in the best possible way, blending absurdity, satire, and intrigue into a story you won’t want to put down.
Readers who enjoyed Joshua Cohen’s sharp examinations of contemporary life might find Denis Johnson equally intriguing. Johnson had a knack for capturing life’s raw edges and dark humor.
His book “Jesus’ Son” offers a collection of interconnected short stories about addicts, drifters, and oddballs.
The narrator, an unreliable yet fascinating character sometimes called “Fuckhead,” guides readers through scenes of addiction, spontaneous misadventures, and strange friendships.
Johnson balances bizarre humor with tender moments, leaving readers uncertain whether to laugh, wince, or both. Fans of Cohen’s sharp wit and depth of character may appreciate Johnson’s gritty yet poetic approach to storytelling.
Aleksandar Hemon is a Bosnian-American writer known for clever, sharp writing that mixes humor with insightful observations on displacement and identity. If you enjoy the lively intelligence and sharp cultural commentary of Joshua Cohen, try Hemon’s novel “The Lazarus Project.”
The plot shifts skillfully between the past and present. One thread of the story examines the historical killing of Lazarus Averbuch, a Jewish immigrant shot by Chicago police in 1908 under suspicious circumstances.
In the contemporary section, a witty and thoughtful Bosnian-American journalist digs into Lazarus’ past while also reflecting on his own experiences with immigration and belonging.
The narrative seamlessly moves between tragedy, humor, and a biting critique of American culture and identity politics. Hemon writes with clarity, wit, and emotional depth—ideal for readers who appreciate Joshua Cohen’s literary approach.
Karl Ove Knausgård is a Norwegian author known for deeply personal narratives that blur lines between fiction and autobiography. His most famous work, “My Struggle,” is a six-volume series which catalogues mundane yet vivid details of everyday life.
In the first volume, titled “A Death in the Family,” Knausgård confronts childhood memories, complex family relationships, and the shadow left behind by his father’s passing.
Beautifully raw and uncomfortably truthful, his honest reflections create an intimate reading experience that captures life’s small but profound moments.
Readers who admire Joshua Cohen’s sharp observations on modern existence may find a similar appreciation in Knausgård’s authentic exploration of life, death, and everything in between.