If you enjoy reading books by Lisa See then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoy Lisa See’s vivid portrayals of family bonds and cultural heritage will appreciate Amy Tan.
Her novel “The Joy Luck Club” follows four Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters as they navigate generational divides, cultural expectations, and personal struggles.
Through the women’s interconnected stories, Tan beautifully highlights the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, identity, and the longing for understanding across cultures.
The narrative alternates between the mothers’ memories of their youth in China and the daughters’ modern-day challenges in America. This structure reveals deep family secrets and heartfelt lessons, making “The Joy Luck Club” an engaging and emotional read.
Celeste Ng is an American novelist known for writing thoughtful, emotionally rich stories about identity, family bonds, and cultural belonging. Her novel “Everything I Never Told You” centers on the Lee family in 1970s Ohio.
After the mysterious death of Lydia, the teenage daughter and favorite child in a mixed-race household, long-hidden tensions rise to the surface. The story explores how family expectations shape our lives and how secrets can silently ripple through generations.
If you appreciate Lisa See’s novels about family dynamics and cultural challenges, Celeste Ng offers a similarly moving and introspective reading experience.
Gish Jen is an American author known for insightful novels on immigrant identity and family dynamics. Readers who appreciate Lisa See’s portrayal of Chinese-American experiences might also enjoy Jen’s novel, “Typical American.”
This story follows three young Chinese immigrants, Ralph Chang, his sister Theresa, and Theresa’s friend Helen, as they navigate life in post-war America.
With humor and empathy, Jen explores how they adapt to new cultural expectations, cope with shifting family roles, and pursue their own versions of the American dream.
The novel captures the heartfelt struggles and joys of assimilation while tackling questions of identity in a lively and authentic way.
Books by Jung Chang offer readers vivid storytelling and powerful historical insights, often centered around women’s experiences in China.
If you enjoyed Lisa See’s thoughtful portrayals of family and tradition, Jung Chang’s “Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China” could resonate with you.
The book chronicles the true story of three generations of Chinese women—Chang’s grandmother, her mother, and herself—as they navigate dramatic changes in China’s history.
Through personal moments of strength and struggle, the author captures how their lives intertwine with major events like war and revolution. The narrative is detailed and emotional, offering an authentic glimpse into the difficult choices and resilience of remarkable women.
Min Jin Lee is an author who captures themes of family ties, identity, and history with warmth and honesty. Her acclaimed novel “Pachinko” tells the story of a Korean family’s experiences in Japan across multiple generations.
Beginning in the early 1900s, the book follows Sunja, a young woman whose unexpected pregnancy brings both hardship and resilience to her family.
Lee creates memorable characters and draws readers into vivid scenes of daily food preparation, bustling markets, secret relationships, and quiet sacrifices.
Readers who enjoy Lisa See’s stories about family struggles and rich cultural histories will find similar depth and emotional resonance in Min Jin Lee’s “Pachinko.”
Yiyun Li is an author acclaimed for her thoughtful exploration of family, identity, and cultural connections, offering stories readers of Lisa See may appreciate.
Her novel “The Vagrants” unfolds in China during the late 1970s, a time of intense social shifts and political upheaval. The community of Muddy River gathers to witness the public denunciation of Gu Shan, a woman who once dreamed of change but now faces execution.
Through the intimate lives of ordinary townspeople, Li explores how individuals navigate moral dilemmas and personal desires amidst the chaos of political turmoil.
With vivid characters and emotional depth, “The Vagrants” gives readers a moving snapshot of resilience and humanity under pressure.
Books by Eileen Chang often explore complex human emotions and relationships set against the backdrop of 20th-century China. Readers who enjoy Lisa See will appreciate Chang’s insightful storytelling and intricate observations of family dynamics and societal pressures.
In her novella “Love in a Fallen City,” Chang portrays a delicate and tense romance between Bai Liusu, a divorced woman seeking independence, and Fan Liuyuan, a charming playboy.
Set in Hong Kong during the chaotic days just before World War II, this story captures the blend of tradition, upheaval, and personal desire. Chang’s subtle yet powerful narrative makes the reader deeply invested in the characters’ journeys toward love and survival.
Gail Tsukiyama is an author whose books beautifully capture Asian cultures and family stories in ways readers of Lisa See might appreciate.
Her novel “The Samurai’s Garden” takes place in a small coastal village in Japan, where a young Chinese man named Stephen is sent to recover from illness at the brink of World War II.
During his stay, Stephen develops friendships and quietly learns about love, loss, honor, and courage through the lives of those he meets there.
Tsukiyama’s writing immerses readers in gentle yet profound tales full of vivid historical details, engaging characters, and emotional depth.
Books by Maxine Hong Kingston often explore Chinese-American experiences and family history with emotional depth and cultural insight.
In her acclaimed memoir, “The Woman Warrior,” Kingston blends autobiography with Chinese folklore to examine identity, tradition, and generational conflict.
She recounts vivid tales from her mother’s past in China and explores the pressures she faced as a young Chinese-American girl growing up between two worlds.
Through powerful storytelling and honest reflection, Kingston draws readers into personal struggles of self-worth, community, and the search for belonging that fans of Lisa See will deeply appreciate.
Readers who enjoy Lisa See’s novels should check out Ruth Ozeki. Ozeki is an American-Canadian author whose stories blend cultural identity, family ties, and the bond between past and present.
Her novel “A Tale for the Time Being” connects the lives of two characters across oceans and time periods. In Tokyo, we meet Nao, a teenager who writes about her struggles in a secret diary.
On a Canadian shoreline, novelist Ruth discovers Nao’s diary washed ashore after the tsunami. The journal’s unexpected appearance draws Ruth into Nao’s world, revealing how strangers can connect through words and experiences.
Through relatable characters and vivid storytelling, Ozeki invites readers into a story full of emotion, culture, and testing of the human spirit.
Xiaolu Guo is a Chinese-born novelist and filmmaker known for stories that explore identity, culture, and the immigrant experience. Her novel “A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers” follows Zhuang, a young woman who moves from rural China to London to learn English.
Through Zhuang’s eyes, readers experience the cultural contrasts and emotional challenges of navigating life in an unfamiliar land.
The novel presents a heartfelt portrayal of love, language barriers, and self-discovery, making it an absorbing read for fans of Lisa See’s culturally rich storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Lisa See may find Chang-rae Lee’s storytelling equally captivating. Lee explores deep cultural tensions and complex family relationships through the eyes of characters caught between conflicting identities.
In his novel “Native Speaker,” Lee introduces Henry Park, a Korean-American struggling to reconcile his immigrant roots with the demands of his job as an industrial spy.
The story follows Henry into immigrant neighborhoods and political circles, where he confronts personal loyalties and the cost of assimilation. The novel thoughtfully portrays the emotional realities of belonging, identity, and acceptance.
Readers who appreciate insightful narratives about family connections and cultural identity may find Chang-rae Lee’s work engaging and meaningful.
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an author whose novels vividly capture women’s experiences and the complexities of family ties across generations. Her novel, “The Mistress of Spices,” introduces readers to Tilo, a woman gifted with magical abilities connected to spices.
Tilo runs a spice shop in California, where each spice she chooses holds the power to influence the lives of people around her. She faces difficult decisions and emotional dilemmas as love crosses her path and complicates her role and her powers.
Readers who enjoy Lisa See’s immersive storytelling and nuanced exploration of cultural traditions will appreciate the depth and vividness of Divakaruni’s storytelling in this intriguing novel.
Ha Jin is a Chinese-American author known for stories that explore family bonds, cultural identity, and the struggle between tradition and modern life. In his novel “Waiting,” he tells the story of Lin Kong, a doctor torn between duty and his desires.
Lin has been married for years to a woman he barely knows and sees only briefly each year. Meanwhile, he has fallen deeply in love with a colleague, Manna Wu, yet tradition and strict laws keep the two apart.
Ha Jin’s story captures the emotions and quiet struggles of love in the shadows of strict societal expectations.
Readers who enjoy Lisa See’s themes of family secrets, culture, and complicated relationships may appreciate the similar depth and emotional honesty Ha Jin brings to his work.
Han Suyin was a Chinese-born author who wrote vividly about cultural identity, love, family ties, and social change. Her novel “A Many-Splendoured Thing” tells a moving love story set in 1940s Hong Kong.
The story follows Han Suyin herself, who falls in love with a British journalist, and highlights the personal difficulties and societal prejudices they encounter.
Against the backdrop of war and political turmoil, their powerful connection reveals the complexities of navigating two very different cultures.
For readers who appreciate Lisa See’s ability to craft rich characters and explore emotional depth in cross-cultural relationships, Han Suyin’s heartfelt storytelling provides an equally rewarding reading experience.