If you enjoy reading books by Judith Rossner then you might also like the following authors:
Joyce Carol Oates is a prolific author known for exploring human relationships and emotional complexity. One of her novels, “Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang,” follows a group of teenage girls in the 1950s who form a close-knit, all-female gang.
The girls, led by the charismatic Legs Sadovsky, push back against the injustices they face in a male-dominated world. Their loyalty to one another creates a powerful bond, but their actions take darker turns as they rebel against society.
Anne Tyler writes about ordinary people, their relationships, and the quiet struggles of daily life. In her book “Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant,” she tells the story of the Tull family.
After their father leaves, the mother, Pearl, raises her children in a way that leaves lasting scars. Each chapter focuses on different family members, showing how their past shapes their adult lives.
One scene captures a family dinner where resentments boil over, revealing their deep emotional fractures. Tyler’s characters feel very real, with flaws and moments of tenderness that stay with you after reading.
Alice Hoffman creates stories that mix ordinary life with touches of magic. In her novel “Practical Magic,” she tells the story of the Owens sisters, who grow up in a family cursed in love.
Their aunts, known for their strange ways, raise them in a house filled with whispers of spells and potions. The story blends love, loss, and family ties while giving a glimpse into how the sisters navigate the weight of their family’s history.
If you like novels that uncover deep emotions within complicated relationships, this might be one to try.
Gail Godwin is a novelist known for exploring complex relationships and personal struggles. One of her notable novels, “A Mother and Two Daughters,” follows the lives of Nell, an elderly widow, and her two adult daughters, Cate and Lydia, after the death of their father.
The story focuses on how each woman copes with loss and tries to find meaning in her life. Cate, a fiercely independent professor, faces pressure to settle down, while Lydia, trapped in an unhappy marriage, considers making a change.
Their mother, grappling with loneliness, reflects on her past and her role in the family. The book offers a deep look into family connections and personal growth.
Sue Miller writes novels that dig into family dynamics and personal relationships with a mix of depth and relatability. Her book “The Good Mother” tells the story of Anna, a divorced woman rebuilding her life after her marriage ends.
When she begins a new relationship, a custody battle with her ex-husband threatens her bond with her young daughter. It’s a story about love, choices, and how the past can influence the present.
Fans of Judith Rossner’s focus on emotional complexity might enjoy Miller’s approach to similar themes.
Mary McCarthy was a sharp and insightful writer known for her vivid storytelling and keen observation of human behavior. One of her most well-known books, “The Group,” follows the lives of eight women who graduate from Vassar College in the 1930s.
The story explores their relationships, ambitions, and struggles as they navigate adulthood in a world that often limits their opportunities.
Through the characters’ friendships and personal choices, McCarthy paints a vivid picture of societal expectations and the challenges women faced during that time.
Joan Didion has a way of writing that feels sharp and direct, yet full of emotion beneath the surface.
Her book “Play It As It Lays” tells the story of Maria, an actress in 1960s Hollywood whose life spirals as she navigates an empty marriage, personal tragedies, and the pressures of a shallow world.
The book captures the emptiness and isolation of that era with short, punchy chapters that cut right to the heart of Maria’s struggles. It’s a story where every detail feels purposeful, and nothing is sugar-coated.
Elizabeth Berg writes stories that dive deep into the lives of ordinary people, capturing their emotions and relationships in a way that feels genuine. In her novel “Open House,” the story follows Samantha, a woman reeling after her husband leaves her unexpectedly.
To make ends meet and avoid the silence of living alone, she decides to take in a series of housemates, each bringing a unique perspective to her journey of self-discovery. The book explores heartbreak, resilience, and the surprises that can come from connecting with others.
It has a warmth that readers who enjoy character-driven stories might appreciate.
Marilyn French was an author known for exploring the lives and struggles of women. Her novel “The Women’s Room” is one of her most well-known works. It follows Mira, a woman who moves through the stages of marriage, motherhood, and divorce, trying to find her own identity.
The story focuses on her shift from a traditional housewife to someone questioning her role in society. The book doesn’t shy away from showing the frustrations and challenges of women in a world shaped by men.
Fans of Judith Rossner may enjoy the personal and complex relationships that fill this book.
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author known for her sharp storytelling and exploration of human relationships and power dynamics.
One of her best-known novels, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” takes readers into a dystopian world where women have lost their rights and are forced into strict societal roles.
The story follows a woman named Offred, who is forced to serve as a surrogate for wealthy couples in a society controlled by a theocratic regime.
The novel explores Offred’s memories of her past life, her attempts to push back in little ways, and the bonds she forms in an oppressive world. It’s a tense and thought-provoking story that lingers with you long after you finish.
Carol Shields was a Canadian author known for her keen insight into human relationships.
Her novel “The Stone Diaries” follows Daisy Goodwill, an ordinary woman living an unremarkable life, yet her journey weaves together moments that reveal the quiet complexities of love, loss, and identity.
The book’s narrative style gives a deep look into Daisy’s inner world and the lives around her. If you enjoy thoughtful explorations of characters shaped by their experiences, Shields might be a perfect fit for you.
Doris Lessing was a writer known for exploring human relationships and personal struggles. Her book “The Fifth Child” tells the story of a seemingly perfect couple, Harriet and David, who desire a big, happy family.
Their life takes a dark turn when their fifth child, Ben, is born. From the start, Ben feels different—he’s unusually strong, distant, and difficult. This difference causes tension in the family, unraveling their once-ideal lives.
The unsettling story examines what happens when a child doesn’t fit society’s expectations or even their own family’s hopes.
Alison Lurie was an author known for her sharp observations of human relationships and social dynamics. Her novel “Foreign Affairs” offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of two American academics on sabbatical in England.
One character, a reserved professor, finds herself drawn into an unexpected romance that challenges her assumptions about love and self-discovery. The other, a younger man, faces his own struggles as he tries to navigate personal and professional chaos.
Lurie’s writing balances wit and empathy, making her characters feel authentic and flawed in ways that stick with you.
Erica Jong is an author known for her honest and bold storytelling. Her book “Fear of Flying” follows Isadora Wing, a poet in her early thirties, as she navigates marriage, relationships, and her own desires.
The story captures her internal struggles and longing for freedom, both sexual and emotional, while traveling in Europe. It’s a candid look at a woman questioning the life she’s built and wondering if there’s more waiting on the other side of her choices.
Fans of Judith Rossner’s exploration of complex emotions and relationships might enjoy how Jong writes about these themes with wit and depth.
Patricia Highsmith wrote sharp, psychological stories that pull you into the lives of her characters. In her book “Strangers on a Train,” two men meet and casually discuss how swapping murders could solve their problems.
One of them takes the conversation seriously, drawing the other into a dangerous and twisted game. Highsmith’s work often explores dark, obsessive relationships, which might appeal to fans of Judith Rossner’s intense character studies.