José Saramago wrote books that really make a person stop and think. His novels explore big ideas about society and what it means to be human. Consider *Blindness*. It shows society falling apart when everyone loses their sight. Or think about *Death with Interruptions*.
Death stops. Imagine the chaos! Saramago also had a very particular writing style. He wrote long sentences and paragraphs. Dialogue appears without quotation marks.
If you enjoy authors who explore philosophical themes, who tell stories that feel a bit strange, and whose books have a similar feel, this list is for you.
Gabriel García Márquez was a Colombian author known for magical realism, blending the ordinary with the fantastic in stories that examine human nature and society.
Readers who enjoy José Saramago’s thoughtful and imaginative narratives would appreciate Márquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. The novel follows the Buendía family through generations in the isolated town of Macondo.
It’s full of vivid stories about love and loss, strange prophecies, forgotten histories, and characters who experience both magical and everyday events.
Márquez creates a compelling portrayal of a family whose destiny is deeply tied to their village, giving readers a profound and entertaining look at memory, solitude, and human connection.
Books by Haruki Murakami often weave surreal events and everyday life into stories that linger long after you’ve finished reading. In “Kafka on the Shore,” Murakami tells two intertwined tales. Fifteen-year-old Kafka Tamura runs away from home to escape a haunting prophecy.
At the same time, an elderly simple-minded man called Nakata embarks on a curious journey after an unexpected event turns his quiet life upside down. Their paths slowly converge through mysterious incidents and quirky characters.
If you appreciate José Saramago’s blend of reality and the surreal, Murakami’s imaginative storytelling and thoughtful exploration of human destiny might resonate deeply with you.
Italo Calvino was an Italian writer known for his imaginative storytelling and thoughtful, whimsical approach to literature. If you appreciate José Saramago’s blend of fantastical elements with sharp insights into human nature, Calvino’s work may interest you.
A great place to start is “Invisible Cities,” a novel framed as a series of poetic discussions between Marco Polo and Kublai Khan. Marco Polo recounts to the emperor vivid, enigmatic descriptions of cities he’s visited.
Each city is surreal, full of symbolism and layers of interpretation. The cities embody dreams, memory, desire, and imagination itself. Calvino’s beautifully imaginative approach blurs the boundaries between reality and illusion.
If you enjoy literature that combines philosophical depth with inventive storytelling, Calvino’s “Invisible Cities” offers satisfying images and ideas.
If you enjoy José Saramago’s blend of reality, imagination, and philosophical themes, you’ll appreciate Jorge Luis Borges. He was an Argentine writer famous for concise yet profound short stories.
Borges played cleverly with ideas about time, infinity, and the power of stories themselves.
In the collection “Ficciones,” you’ll find imaginative tales set in libraries containing every book ever written, mysterious encyclopedias about imagined worlds, or stories where realities shift in subtle but intriguing ways.
In “The Garden of Forking Paths,” from this collection, Borges tells a story connecting espionage and the concept of multiple possible futures. Borges’ fiction invites readers into unconventional worlds that are intellectually engaging yet accessible and thought-provoking.
Milan Kundera is a Czech-born writer famous for exploring identity, personal relationships, and life’s ambiguities. Readers who enjoy José Saramago’s reflective and philosophical storytelling could also connect deeply with Kundera’s work.
His novel “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” follows Tomas, a Czech surgeon who navigates love, politics, and freedom during Prague’s Soviet invasion.
Kundera weaves together personal dramas against historical events, creating stories that linger with you and provoke thought long after you finish reading.
Readers who enjoy José Saramago’s blend of reality, imagination, and subtle satire may also find Salman Rushdie equally captivating. Rushdie is a master storyteller known for weaving history, myth, and politics into vibrant narratives.
In his novel “Midnight’s Children,” he tells the story of Saleem Sinai, a child born at the exact moment of India’s independence. Saleem soon discovers he has a magical connection to hundreds of others born at the same time.
As he grows up, Saleem’s life mirrors India’s tumultuous early history. This novel offers both a personal journey and a sweeping look at India’s culture, politics, and heritage.
Fans of Saramago’s thoughtful yet inventive style will likely appreciate Rushdie’s creative storytelling, vivid characters, and engaging exploration of identity and history.
If you enjoy José Saramago’s thought-provoking novels filled with powerful storytelling and sharp social commentary, Margaret Atwood might be your next favorite author.
Her novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” takes place in Gilead, a repressive and restrictive society that replaces the United States following political upheaval.
Offred, the central character, navigates a world stripped of women’s rights, controlled by fear and oppressive patriarchal authority.
Atwood’s vivid writing exposes the dangers hidden in unchecked power and extremist ideologies, while exploring themes of identity, resilience, and resistance.
Like Saramago’s fiction, Atwood offers an intense examination into human nature and society that will leave readers questioning and reflecting long after the final page.
Readers who appreciate José Saramago’s blend of philosophical depth and imaginative storytelling will likely enjoy the novels of Umberto Eco. Eco was an Italian author and philosopher known for works that mix mystery, history, and fascinating ideas.
His novel “The Name of the Rose” takes place in a medieval monastery where mysterious deaths occur. The intelligent Franciscan friar William of Baskerville investigates secretly, uncovering forbidden manuscripts, hidden secrets, and heated theological conflicts.
The story cleverly weaves historical fact with fiction and invites readers into puzzles of symbolism, faith, and power struggles. Eco’s thoughtful yet engaging writing makes “The Name of the Rose” an excellent read for fans who value Saramago’s thought-provoking narratives.
Books by Kazuo Ishiguro may appeal to readers who enjoy José Saramago’s imaginative narratives and thoughtful examination of human behavior. Ishiguro, a British novelist born in Japan, often creates stories that blur the line between reality and possibility.
In his novel “Never Let Me Go,” Ishiguro tells the story of friends Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth who grow up together at Hailsham, a boarding school in an alternative version of England. At first glance, their life seems ordinary: friendships, rivalries, lessons, and art classes.
But soon they discover the somber purpose behind their sheltered upbringing that changes their understanding forever. Ishiguro’s elegant prose and the understated emotional tone invite reflection on themes of memory, identity, and the ethical boundaries society quietly accepts.
Mo Yan is a Chinese author known for his imaginative storytelling and sharp commentary on social issues. Readers who appreciate the distinctive narrative style of José Saramago might find Mo Yan equally intriguing.
In his novel “Red Sorghum,” Mo Yan unfolds a vibrant epic set during the Second Sino-Japanese War in rural China. The book centers around a family in Shandong province.
Through episodes of love, violence, hardship, and resilience, the story builds a portrait of China during a turbulent historical period. Mo Yan’s unique blend of realism, vivid imagery, and dark humor creates a reading experience that lingers long after the final page.
Readers who enjoy José Saramago’s thoughtful novels might connect with the works of J.M. Coetzee. Coetzee, a South African writer known for his challenging and reflective fiction, explores themes of humanity, ethics, power, and empathy.
In his novel “Disgrace,” Coetzee tells the story of David Lurie, a professor who loses his position after a controversial relationship with a student. He retreats to his daughter’s rural South African farm, where an unexpected tragedy deeply alters their lives.
The story examines personal shame, social violence, and human dignity. Readers who appreciate Saramago’s thoughtful examination of characters and society may similarly be drawn to Coetzee’s approach in “Disgrace.”
Roberto Bolaño was a Chilean author known for his bold storytelling and sharp exploration of society and humanity, traits often appreciated by readers of José Saramago.
In his novel “2666,” Bolaño crafts five interconnected stories around the mysterious and violent disappearances of women in a fictional Mexican border town.
The novel moves between countries as it follows literary critics, journalists, detectives, and an enigmatic reclusive German author named Benno von Archimboldi—all whose destinies converge in subtle, unexpected ways.
Bolaño’s writing challenges readers to reflect on violence, literature, and human connections. If José Saramago’s provocative reflections on society resonate with you, Roberto Bolaño promises a unique and thoughtful reading experience.
Readers who enjoyed José Saramago may find Michel Houellebecq’s work equally thought-provoking. Houellebecq is a French author noted for his blunt critiques of society and its discontents.
In his acclaimed book “Submission,” Houellebecq imagines a near-future France transformed politically and socially after the peaceful rise of an Islamic political party.
Through the eyes of François, a disillusioned literature professor, readers experience a satirical yet unsettling exploration of personal and cultural transformation amid political upheaval.
Houellebecq offers a bold narrative that challenges perceptions of religion, politics, and individual satisfaction.
Readers who enjoy the reflective style and allegorical storytelling of José Saramago may find Paulo Coelho equally appealing. Coelho is a Brazilian author famous for his simple yet profound narratives that explore life’s purpose, dreams, and spiritual journeys.
In his popular book “The Alchemist,” he tells the tale of Santiago, a young Andalusian shepherd who sets out in search of treasure after a recurring dream.
His journey takes him across North Africa, where he meets unusual characters whose insights shape his understanding of destiny and desire. The story is rich in symbolism and wisdom, offering readers a thoughtful narrative about following one’s dream.
Doris Lessing Doris Lessing was a British novelist known for her sharp insight into human psychology and social structures. If you appreciate José Saramago’s blend of speculative scenarios with thought-provoking ideas, you might enjoy Lessing’s “The Fifth Child”.
The novel focuses on a happy, ordinary couple, Harriet and David, whose lives drastically change after the birth of their fifth child, Ben. Ben is different—challenging, unnerving, perhaps even dangerous—and his presence disrupts the family dynamics entirely.
Through this intense narrative, Lessing explores themes of family, society, and parental responsibility, posing tough questions about humanity and morality. It’s a quick read, but it’ll stick with you.