If you enjoy reading books by Lee Smith then you might also like the following authors:
Elizabeth Strout is known for her skill in creating stories about ordinary lives that feel deeply personal. One of her books, “Olive Kitteridge,” focuses on a retired schoolteacher in a small town in Maine.
Olive is tough but deeply human, and the book follows her through pivotal moments in her life and the lives of her neighbors. Through these snapshots, Strout paints a picture of the emotional struggles and connections in the town.
Readers meet flawed but unforgettable characters, each with their own struggles and quiet moments of grace.
Barbara Kingsolver writes stories that explore human connections, rooted in vivid settings and unforgettable characters. Her novel “The Bean Trees” follows Taylor Greer, a young woman from Kentucky, who sets out on a road trip to escape small-town life.
Along the way, she unexpectedly becomes the caretaker of a Native American toddler. The story weaves together her journey of creating a new life and the people she meets, including a roommate and a pair of Guatemalan refugees.
It’s a heartfelt tale of resilience and creating family in unexpected places.
Eudora Welty is known for her rich storytelling rooted in the American South, a setting she brings to life with vivid characters and deep connections to place.
In her novel “The Optimist’s Daughter,” she tells the story of Laurel McKelva Hand, who returns to her hometown in Mississippi after her father’s death. Through Laurel’s journey, the book explores family ties and memories that shape us.
It’s thoughtful and heartfelt, with moments that capture the struggles of coming to terms with loss. For readers who enjoy Lee Smith’s focus on Southern life and personal histories, Welty offers something similar with her distinct voice.
Dorothy Allison is an author known for writing stories rooted in the complexities of family, identity, and class. Her novel “Bastard Out of Carolina” tells the story of Bone, a young girl growing up in South Carolina in the 1950s.
Bone faces poverty and violence within her family, yet her narrative is full of moments where resilience and fierce love shine through.
The book paints a vivid picture of life in a small Southern town, where secrets run deep and survival often means relying on wit and determination. Fans of Lee Smith may find the settings and characters familiar, with their rawness and grounding in real life.
Anne Tyler writes about ordinary lives in a way that feels real and full of heart. Her novel “Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant” follows the Tull family, where each member struggles to connect while dealing with their own past.
The story moves through moments of humor and sadness as it shows the messiness of family relationships. Tyler’s style often captures quiet moments that say so much about people, and she does it with warmth.
Toni Morrison writes stories that explore identity, family, and history. Her novel “Song of Solomon” follows Milkman Dead, a man searching for the truth about his family and his place in the world.
The book takes you through his relationships, his ancestry, and the secrets that shape his life. There are parts where the characters feel so real and flawed that they stay with you. Morrison’s storytelling has a way of wrapping you up in the characters’ world.
If you enjoy Lee Smith’s focus on families and personal histories, you might connect with the depth of Morrison’s work.
Gail Godwin writes stories that explore family, relationships, and personal struggles in a way that’s easy to connect with. Her novel “A Mother and Two Daughters” follows a family in North Carolina after the death of their husband and father.
The two sisters and their mother grapple with finding their own paths while dealing with each other’s choices and flaws. Each character brings something unique to the table, and their lives are messy but real.
Godwin creates a rich sense of place, making the small-town South feel alive through her characters’ lives and decisions.
Alice Walker is a writer who captures the essence of human emotion and resilience. Her novel, “The Color Purple,” is set in the American South during the early 20th century.
It follows Celie, a young African-American woman, as she navigates a life marked by hardship and oppression. Through letters she writes to God and later to her sister, Celie discovers her own strength and begins reshaping her world.
The story explores family, friendship, and survival in a way that feels deeply personal and memorable. Walker’s characters and their struggles are unforgettable.
Chris Offutt grew up in Kentucky and writes stories rooted in the Appalachian region. His book “The Good Brother” is about Virgil Caudill, a man who finds himself on the run after a feud leads to a deadly act.
Leaving his home behind, Virgil creates a new life while wrestling with a deep sense of guilt and his connection to the land he came from.
Offutt’s storytelling feels grounded, focusing on family, loyalty, and the pull of home, which makes his work resonate with readers who enjoy Lee Smith.
Clyde Edgerton is an author known for capturing the rhythms of small-town Southern life. His book “Walking Across Egypt” tells the story of Mattie Rigsbee, a strong-willed and kind-hearted woman in her seventies.
Mattie’s quiet life gets turned upside down when she crosses paths with a teenage delinquent named Wesley. She decides to take him under her wing, leading to a mix of humorous and heartfelt moments.
It’s a story full of quirky characters and the kind of family bonds that feel real and messy. Readers who enjoy Lee Smith’s focus on Southern culture and personal relationships might find Edgerton’s work a new favorite.
Ron Rash writes stories deeply rooted in the Appalachian region, capturing its landscapes and the lives of the people who call it home.
His novel “Serena” tells the tale of a ruthless timber baroness and her husband as they build their empire in the North Carolina mountains during the 1930s. Serena is ambitious and unflinching, driving much of the drama as she faces both personal and external challenges.
The novel paints a vivid picture of a harsh world where survival pushes people to their limits. Rash’s writing brings the tension of that time and place to life, making it feel immediate and real.
Sharyn McCrumb is a writer who focuses on Appalachian culture and history, telling stories that feel rooted in their setting. One of her books, “The Ballad of Frankie Silver,” blends a historical murder case with a modern-day mystery.
The story shifts between the 1830s, when Frankie Silver was convicted of killing her husband, and the present, where a sheriff reflects on the case while grappling with his own personal challenges.
The book captures life in the Appalachian Mountains, tying past and present with an atmosphere that feels vivid and atmospheric.
Sue Monk Kidd is an author known for exploring personal struggles and relationships with a deep sense of humanity and connection.
Her novel, “The Secret Life of Bees,” follows Lily Owens, a young girl in 1960s South Carolina who escapes her troubled home and finds refuge with three beekeeping sisters.
Their home, filled with honey-making and whispers of a Black Madonna statue, becomes a safe haven as Lily discovers truths about her mother and herself. Fans of Lee Smith’s tender portrayals of Southern life and family ties might find a similar magic in Kidd’s storytelling.
Jill McCorkle is a Southern writer who creates characters that feel real, with stories full of heart and humor. Her book “Life After Life” takes place in a small North Carolina town, focusing on a retirement home where residents’ lives begin to intersect in unexpected ways.
The story follows Joanna, who writes down people’s last words, and Stanley, a man determined to escape before he dies. The mix of past and present in their lives reveals moments of love, regret, and hope, painting a touching portrait of community.
Fans of Lee Smith will appreciate the way McCorkle captures the rhythms and quirks of Southern life.
Kaye Gibbons is an author known for creating stories with strong Southern settings and unforgettable voices. Her book “Ellen Foster” is a standout. It follows a young girl named Ellen, who faces incredible challenges after losing her mother.
Ellen’s sharp perspective and determination to find a safe and loving home make her story both moving and unforgettable. Fans of Lee Smith will likely enjoy the vivid characters and heartfelt emotions in Gibbons’ writing.