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15 Authors like Josip Novakovich

Josip Novakovich is a Croatian-Canadian writer known for fiction and essays. His works, such as April Fool's Day and Infidelities: Stories of War and Lust, often explore themes of war, identity, and displacement with thoughtful storytelling and dark humor.

If you enjoy reading books by Josip Novakovich then you might also like the following authors:

  1. Aleksandar Hemon

    Aleksandar Hemon writes fiction that explores themes of displacement, exile, and the immigrant experience. Like Novakovich, he often mixes humor with darker elements and focuses on characters navigating complex identities and cultural tensions.

    In his novel The Lazarus Project, Hemon weaves together two timelines, examining historical trauma alongside a modern immigrant's story.

  2. Téa Obreht

    Téa Obreht blends folklore, mythology, and realistic detail in her storytelling. Her narratives often capture the tension between tradition, memory, and the contemporary world.

    Readers who appreciate Novakovich's attention to the human side of historical conflicts might enjoy Obreht's novel The Tiger's Wife, set in the Balkans and filled with rich, vivid imagery.

  3. Dubravka Ugrešić

    Dubravka Ugrešić is known for insightful and witty writing about identity, exile, and cultural rupture. Like Novakovich, she addresses themes stemming from the breakup of former Yugoslavia, but with a sharper satirical edge.

    Her book The Museum of Unconditional Surrender mixes fiction, history, and autobiography in a fascinating reflection on memory and displacement.

  4. Charles Simic

    Charles Simic's poetry carries a playful yet reflective quality that readers of Novakovich will enjoy. Though a poet rather than a novelist, Simic also draws inspiration from Balkan history and personal experience.

    Readers might appreciate his collection The World Doesn't End, which uses concise yet powerful imagery to explore themes of memory, exile, and survival.

  5. Saša Stanišić

    Saša Stanišić creates fiction marked by humor, imagination, and intricately drawn characters. His stories often examine migration, cultural identity shifts, and the absurdities that come with displacement.

    Fans of Novakovich's combination of humor and insight will likely find Stanišić's novel How the Soldier Repairs the Gramophone appealing, as it brilliantly portrays a child's perspective amidst war and upheaval.

  6. Andre Aciman

    Andre Aciman writes emotionally layered, thoughtful fiction that captures human connections, identity, and the feeling of being an outsider. His prose is elegant and introspective, often exploring both memory and longing.

    A good book to start with is Call Me by Your Name, where Aciman vividly portrays a passionate summer romance in Italy, filled with heartache and beauty.

  7. Gary Shteyngart

    Gary Shteyngart's style is humorous, satirical, and a little dark. He tackles themes like immigrant experience, cultural identity, and absurdities in contemporary life.

    Readers looking for sharp wit mixed with insightful social commentary might enjoy Super Sad True Love Story, his clever novel set in a satirical near-future America obsessed with technology, consumerism, and youthfulness.

  8. David Bezmozgis

    David Bezmozgis is known for his truthful, economical style. Many of his stories focus on immigrant life, identity, and adjusting to a new country. His writing feels personal, quietly powerful, and often subtle.

    Try Natasha and Other Stories to experience Bezmozgis's realistic portrayal of the Latvian-Jewish immigrant community in Toronto through interconnected short stories.

  9. Ismet Prcic

    If you're drawn to Novakovich's storytelling, you may appreciate Ismet Prcic's intense and vivid narratives about war, identity, and displacement. Prcic approaches harsh realities with honesty and creative storytelling.

    His novel, Shards, skillfully blends fiction and autobiography, portraying a fragmented identity shaped by war and exile from Bosnia.

  10. Danilo Kiš

    Danilo Kiš's writing merges historical depth, inventive structure, and emotional intensity. He often explores memory, personal and public history, and human resilience against difficult circumstances.

    His collection of linked short stories, A Tomb for Boris Davidovich, delves powerfully into the oppressive effects of authoritarian regimes on individuals, using precise prose and innovative storytelling techniques.

  11. Ivo Andrić

    If you appreciate Josip Novakovich's exploration of Balkan history and identity, you'll probably enjoy Ivo Andrić. His writing often focuses on personal stories influenced by historical events, particularly in former Yugoslavia.

    Andrić's style is clear and reflective, examining the impact of history on individuals and communities.

    His novel The Bridge on the Drina is a good example; it follows the lives of people in a small Bosnian town across several centuries of Ottoman rule and beyond, blending history, folklore, and personal stories.

  12. Norman Manea

    Norman Manea shares Novakovich’s interest in exile and identity, often drawing from his Romanian heritage to examine themes of memory, displacement, and loss.

    Manea writes with subtle humor and a thoughtful approach toward political themes and the complexities of personal freedom.

    His novel The Hooligan’s Return explores his return to Romania after long exile, thoughtfully reflecting on identity, belonging, and how politics shape our lives.

  13. Miroslav Penkov

    Miroslav Penkov's writing highlights themes of cultural identity, immigration, and family relationships, similar to those in Novakovich's work. Born in Bulgaria but now living in the U.S., Penkov often writes about the challenges of living between two worlds.

    His collection of short stories East of the West reveals the complicated experiences of Bulgarians adjusting to life at home and abroad, blending humor, warmth, and emotional depth.

  14. Lara Vapnyar

    Lara Vapnyar's stories often capture immigrant experiences, personal struggles, and identity conflicts with warmth and insight. Like Novakovich, she approaches serious themes through compelling characters and realistic situations.

    Her collection There Are Jews in My House presents stories of Russian Jewish immigrants coping with new lives in unfamiliar places, highlighting their inner struggles with humor and honesty.

  15. Andrei Codrescu

    Andrei Codrescu offers readers a unique mix of wit, cultural observation, and personal experience, writing with humor and sharp realism. He examines migration, exile, and identity in ways that resonate with Novakovich's work.

    Codrescu’s novel The Blood Countess combines history and fantasy, exploring the ties between his Romanian roots and the contradictions of contemporary life, all delivered with playful intelligence.