If you enjoy reading books by Leïla Slimani then you might also like the following authors:
Han Kang writes quietly intense novels that explore the hidden sides of human emotions and relationships. Her style is precise and subtle, adding a surreal touch to everyday reality.
In The Vegetarian, Kang tells a haunting story about a woman whose decision to stop eating meat disrupts her family life, bringing dark impulses and hidden conflicts to the surface.
Ottessa Moshfegh's books focus on flawed characters and their often uncomfortable realities. Her clear, sharp style exposes dark humor in unsettling moments.
Readers interested in Slimani's exploration of complicated inner lives might appreciate Moshfegh's My Year of Rest and Relaxation, about a young woman's strange attempt to escape her problems by sleeping through them for an entire year.
Elena Ferrante creates strongly relatable characters by examining close relationships, particularly friendships and family dynamics. Her style is straightforward and emotionally honest.
In My Brilliant Friend, Ferrante follows two friends growing up in Naples, showing how their strong, complicated bond shapes their lives and identities throughout the years.
Rachel Cusk writes novels known for their thoughtful, introspective style and exploration of relationships, identity, and memory. Her writing moves intelligently through characters' lives and conversations, building meaning from ordinary moments.
Readers may enjoy Outline, where characters reveal themselves slowly through conversations, creating a thoughtful reflection on personal experiences and interpretations.
Megan Abbott writes suspenseful, psychological novels about girls, women, and the complex forces shaping their relationships and identities. Her style is sharp, intense, and pulls readers deep into the emotional tension at the heart of her stories.
In Dare Me, Abbott examines teenage friendships, ambition, and rivalry within a high-school cheerleading squad, creating compelling suspense around complex female relationships.
Gillian Flynn writes sharp, dark psychological thrillers that expose hidden fears and twisted relationships beneath ordinary life. Her characters often keep dangerous secrets, and she excels at building suspense through unreliable narrators.
In her novel Gone Girl, Flynn explores the deceptive nature of marriage and identity through the disappearance of Amy Dunne and the disturbing truths that surface after she's gone.
Sayaka Murata focuses on the struggles of socially isolated characters who quietly reject mainstream values. Her writing blends quirky humor, deep loneliness, and sharp observations about the pressure to conform in Japanese society.
Her book Convenience Store Woman tells the story of Keiko, a woman who feels unable to fit into society except through her comforting, repetitive job at a convenience store.
Marie NDiaye creates atmospheric, thought-provoking stories dealing with issues of identity, race, and alienation. Her narratives often blur reality with subtle elements of surrealism, unsettling readers in powerful ways.
In Three Strong Women, NDiaye explores the intertwined lives of three women negotiating life's hardships and the complex bonds of family and belonging.
Virginie Despentes writes fiercely direct novels that challenge societal norms around gender, sexuality, and violence. Her style is unapologetic and provocative, examining anger and rebellion with refreshing honesty.
Her novel Vernon Subutex 1 introduces readers to an aging, unemployed music-shop owner whose struggles expose the stark inequalities in contemporary French society.
Kamel Daoud's writing explores identity, colonial legacy, and the complexity of modern Algeria with clarity and insight. He approaches sensitive social and historical questions with an eloquent yet straightforward voice.
In The Meursault Investigation, Daoud reexamines Albert Camus' The Stranger through the eyes of the murdered Arab's brother, highlighting the perspectives erased by colonial narratives.
Yōko Ogawa writes stories filled with an atmosphere of quiet tension and subtle unease. She explores human connections in the face of loss or change and captures the strange beauty hidden in ordinary moments.
Her novel The Housekeeper and the Professor gently reveals how even simple relationships can profoundly shape our inner lives.
Deborah Levy is known for thoughtful narratives marked by vivid imagery and emotional honesty. Her books often dig into complex relationships and issues of identity, loss, and personal discovery.
In Hot Milk, Levy tells a story of a strained mother-daughter relationship, beautifully capturing the internal struggles her characters face.
Adeline Dieudonné's writing is sharp, intense, and sometimes unsettling. Her stories explore family dynamics, violence, and resilience against adversity.
Her debut novel, Real Life, tells the powerful tale of a young heroine confronting violence and challenging her circumstances, navigating fear and hope in equal measure.
Annie Ernaux crafts autobiographical narratives that honestly examine everyday life, memory, and identity. Her clear and direct prose captures personal experiences as well as universal themes.
In The Years, Ernaux reflects on her own history intertwined with broader social changes, offering an intimate look at how we grow and change with time.
Fatima Daas brings a fresh, direct voice to contemporary literature. Her writing tackles themes around religion, sexuality, and identity within the context of immigrant communities.
Her novel The Last One unfolds in raw, honest prose, exploring how a young woman confronts cultural expectations and self-acceptance.