If you enjoy reading books by Kathryn Harrison then you might also like the following authors:
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author known for her sharp and thought-provoking storytelling. One of her best-known books, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is set in a dystopian world where women are stripped of their rights and forced into rigid roles.
The story follows Offred, a woman serving as a Handmaid, whose role is to bear children for the ruling elite. Through Offred’s perspective, you witness her memories of life before the regime and her quiet resistance as she navigates this oppressive world.
Atwood’s writing pulls you into the character’s inner struggle and the powerful, unforgiving society around her.
Joyce Carol Oates is a prolific author known for her deeply emotional and intense storytelling. One of her novels, “We Were the Mulvaneys,” explores the rise and fall of a seemingly perfect family in small-town America.
The Mulvaneys live an idyllic life on their farm, but a traumatic event involving one of the children causes the family to unravel. The story follows each family member as they deal with loss, shame, and the longing for connection.
Oates creates characters who feel real and whose struggles stay with you long after you’ve read the last page.
Alice Sebold is an author known for her ability to capture raw human emotions. Her novel, “The Lovely Bones,” tells the story of Susie Salmon, a teenage girl who is murdered and watches her family from the afterlife.
As Susie observes their struggles, she reveals the hidden fractures in their relationships and their attempts to heal. The mix of heartbreak and hope gives the story a unique perspective.
Wally Lamb is a storyteller known for creating deeply emotional narratives with vivid characters. One of his most well-known books, “She’s Come Undone,” follows the life of Dolores Price, a woman whose struggles with grief, trauma, and self-acceptance shape her journey.
The story begins with her as a child navigating a dysfunctional family and moves through her difficult teenage years and adulthood. Lamb writes Dolores with such honesty that her pain feels real, yet her resilience keeps you turning the pages.
Her story is full of moments where she faces the world, broken and determined, and it invites a close look at the strength it takes to rebuild yourself.
Jeanette Winterson is known for her poetic and emotional storytelling, often exploring relationships and identity. One of her most famous books, “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit”, tells the story of a young girl growing up in a strict religious household.
Raised by an adopted mother who dreams of her becoming a missionary, the girl starts to question her upbringing and begins to discover her sexuality. The story combines wit and heartbreak, showing how personal beliefs can clash with love and individuality.
Sue Monk Kidd is known for her rich storytelling and deep exploration of human relationships. Her novel, “The Secret Life of Bees,” is set in the 1960s in South Carolina. It follows Lily Owens, a young girl haunted by the memory of her mother.
After fleeing her troubled home, Lily finds sanctuary with three sisters who keep bees and produce honey. The story weaves themes of love, forgiveness, and the search for belonging, all set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement.
The warm bond between the sisters and Lily’s journey toward understanding herself make the book unforgettable.
Ann Patchett writes stories that focus on human connections and relationships. Her novel “Bel Canto” is about a group of people taken hostage during a birthday party at a South American embassy.
Though they are strangers at first, the situation forces them to create unexpected bonds. The mix of tension and the unlikely friendships that form make the story unforgettable.
Patchett has a talent for exploring deep, emotional territory with ease, making her a great choice for fans of Kathryn Harrison.
Elizabeth Strout writes stories that feel deeply personal and intricately woven into the lives of her characters. In her novel “Olive Kitteridge,” she introduces Olive, a retired schoolteacher in a small coastal town in Maine.
The book is a collection of connected stories, each showing Olive’s interactions with the people around her. Olive is sometimes harsh, often misunderstood, but always very human.
One story explores her awkward connection with a former student, another her tumultuous relationship with her gentle husband. Strout has a gift for balancing the flaws and virtues of her characters, making them feel achingly real without dressing them up too much.
Barbara Kingsolver is an author known for crafting stories that explore human connections and the natural world. In her novel “The Poisonwood Bible,” she tells the story of a missionary family that moves to the Congo during the 1950s.
The tale unfolds through the voices of the mother and her four daughters, each offering a unique perspective on their father’s choices and the impact of colonization on their lives. The setting feels alive, with rich depictions of the Congo’s beauty and challenges.
The blend of family struggles and cultural clashes makes it a thought-provoking read.
Toni Morrison is a masterful writer who explores the deep complexities of human emotions and relationships. Her novel “Beloved” tells the story of Sethe, an escaped slave haunted by the past.
Sethe’s home becomes the center of strange and unsettling events when a mysterious young woman named Beloved appears. The story moves through painful memories of slavery, the sacrifices made for freedom, and the lingering scars that remain.
Morrison writes with a vividness that makes every moment feel alive, drawing readers into the lives of her unforgettable characters.
Jhumpa Lahiri writes stories that explore family, identity, and culture, often focusing on the lives of Indian immigrants. Her book “The Namesake” follows Gogol Ganguli, the son of Bengali parents, who struggles with his name and what it means to belong.
The story moves through his life, showing how he feels torn between his family’s traditions and his American upbringing. It’s a quiet, deeply personal journey that feels intimate and real.
Amy Bloom is a skilled storyteller who has a way of weaving emotional depth and human connection into her work. In her novel “White Houses,” she explores the love story between Lorena Hickok and Eleanor Roosevelt.
The book dives into their private relationship against the backdrop of the public world of politics and the White House. Bloom brings Hickok’s voice to life, offering a close look at her struggles, her devotion to Eleanor, and her view of history in the making.
It’s a tender and thoughtful take on love and loyalty, with an intimate focus on their bond.
Louise Erdrich is an author known for stories rooted in Native American life and history. Her novel, “The Round House,” follows a young boy named Joe as he seeks justice for his mother, who has been the victim of a violent crime.
Set on a reservation, the book explores family bonds and the challenges faced by tribal communities. It’s a story with emotional weight, focusing on loyalty and the complexities of growing up. Erdrich’s writing brings characters and their struggles vividly to life.
Anne Enright is an Irish author known for her rich and reflective storytelling. Her novel “The Gathering” follows Veronica Hegarty, a woman piecing together her family’s troubled past after her brother’s death.
As she revisits memories of her large Irish family, she uncovers secrets that have shaped their lives. It’s a story about family bonds, loss, and how the past lingers in unexpected ways.
Fans of Kathryn Harrison may appreciate Enright’s ability to explore complex emotions with raw honesty.
Paula McLain is an author known for writing historical fiction with strong, vivid characters. In her novel “The Paris Wife,” she brings to life Hadley Richardson, Ernest Hemingway’s first wife.
The story follows their marriage during the 1920s in Paris, a time when Hemingway was starting his career. It paints a picture of their life together, filled with love, ambition, and the challenges of being married to an intense and driven man.
Fans of emotionally rich storytelling might find a lot to enjoy in McLain’s approach to exploring personal relationships within historical settings.