Lydia Millet’s books often explore the natural world and human nature with a sharp, witty voice. If you are drawn to authors who write with a similar sensibility, you might be interested in exploring more writers. Here are some authors you may find yourself enjoying.
Books by Margaret Atwood often explore thought-provoking themes about society and humanity, seen through vivid characters and imaginative settings.
If you’re a fan of Lydia Millet, you might appreciate Atwood’s “Oryx and Crake,” a novel set in a future world devastated by ecological disaster and corporate greed.
It tells the tale of Snowman, formerly known as Jimmy, who appears to be the sole remaining human survivor in a genetically modified world filled with unusual creatures.
As Snowman remembers his past friendships and lost loves, the book raises chilling questions about ethics, genetic engineering, and the choices that shape our world.
Atwood’s storytelling invites readers to consider where humanity is headed, while holding their attention with deeply human characters and intricate storylines.
Books by Karen Russell often blend reality with surreal and magical elements, a style that might appeal to fans of Lydia Millet. Russell’s “Swamplandia!” tells the story of a peculiar family-run alligator wrestling theme park deep in the Florida Everglades.
After the mother’s death, the Bigtree family struggles to keep the park open. Each family member takes strange and daring steps to cope, from sister Ava’s search for her lost sister, to brother Kiwi’s escape to a rival theme park called “The World of Darkness.”
Russell’s novel combines humor, heartbreak, and mystery, offering readers an unusual take on family, loss, and growing up.
Barbara Kingsolver writes fiction that explores big questions about nature, society, and human relationships. If you’ve enjoyed Lydia Millet’s thoughtful storytelling and her attention to environmental themes, Barbara Kingsolver has a lot to offer.
Her novel “Flight Behavior” tells the story of Dellarobia Turnbow, a young mother in rural Appalachia whose life changes dramatically after she witnesses an unexpected natural phenomenon. Monarch butterflies appear near her family’s land, far from their usual migration route.
This event captivates scientists, media, and religious groups alike. Personal turmoil, scientific inquiry, and environmental challenges all come together to create a story that feels relevant and deeply human.
Richard Powers is an American author whose novels often explore our complex relationship with nature, technology, and identity. If you enjoy Lydia Millet’s blend of human drama and environmental themes, you may find a connection with Powers’s writing.
His novel “The Overstory” follows a group of characters whose lives become intertwined through their encounters with trees.
Through a series of interconnected stories, Powers creates a narrative that examines activism, compassion, and our shared responsibility toward the natural world.
The novel balances personal journeys with broader ecological issues, making it a thoughtful and emotionally powerful read.
Books by T.C. Boyle often blend environmental themes, ironic humor, and complex human dynamics. If you enjoy Lydia Millet’s sharp look at people and their ecological messes, Boyle’s “A Friend of the Earth” could resonate with you.
This novel takes place in a near-future California ravaged by climate change, floods, and endangered species. At its center is Ty Tierwater, an aging environmental activist faced with the consequences of his life’s fierce dedication to saving nature.
The story moves between past and future, raising thoughtful questions about idealism, compromise, and the uneasy balance between humans and the planet.
T.C. Boyle crafts unusual characters who confront difficult and morally tangled situations, similar in spirit to the vivid narratives of Lydia Millet.
If you enjoy Lydia Millet’s sharp observations about society and vivid storytelling, you may also appreciate Colson Whitehead.
His novel “The Underground Railroad” offers a powerful look into America’s history through the eyes of Cora, a young slave who escapes from a brutal plantation in Georgia.
Whitehead reimagines the historical Underground Railroad as a literal railway system hidden beneath the Southern soil. Each stop along Cora’s journey reveals fresh horrors and unexpected twists.
The novel blends historical realism with symbolic imagery, creating scenes as intense and unsettling as they are deeply human. If Millet’s thoughtful but bold narratives appeal to you, Whitehead’s striking exploration of history and humanity could also resonate strongly.
If you enjoy Lydia Millet’s sharp and surreal storytelling, you might appreciate Joy Williams. Williams is known for her dark humor and unsettling narratives that explore the absurdity of modern existence.
Her book “The Quick and the Dead” tells the story of three teenage girls who navigate loss and isolation in the Arizona desert. Characters confront environmental issues, personal tragedies, and the strangeness of adulthood.
Williams weaves humor, odd encounters, and stark emotional honesty into a story you’ll keep thinking about long after it’s finished.
If you enjoy Lydia Millet’s quirky characters and thought-provoking stories, then Aimee Bender might catch your interest.
Her book “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake” tells the story of Rose Edelstein, a nine-year-old girl who discovers she can taste the hidden emotions of people through food.
Rose’s unique gift opens up complicated truths and family secrets, which she learns to navigate as she grows up. It’s a story that blends magical realism with deep emotional insights, exploring family dynamics and human relationships in a fresh, unusual way.
Readers who appreciate Lydia Millet’s sharp wit and insight into everyday anxieties might connect with Jenny Offill’s fiction.
Her novel “Weather” follows Lizzie, a librarian who unexpectedly becomes an advice columnist for people worried about climate change and societal collapse. Lizzie navigates personal struggles, family concerns, and the larger fear of global uncertainty with humor and honesty.
Offill uses brief snapshots and sharp observations to build a narrative that feels immediate and deeply relatable. The novel explores big themes through the lens of ordinary life, addressing climate anxiety with both urgency and a touch of hope.
Readers who appreciate Lydia Millet’s blend of sharp wit, thoughtful social commentary, and vivid prose may find a similar connection with Ali Smith. Smith is a Scottish author celebrated for narratives that explore time, identity, and society’s overlooked connections.
Her novel “Autumn” captures the unlikely friendship between Elisabeth, a young woman navigating Brexit Britain, and Daniel, her elderly neighbor fading in a care home.
Through their bond, Smith confronts contemporary issues like divided communities, media influence, and the power of art and memory.
Readers drawn to Millet’s insightful storytelling and engaging characters may also appreciate Smith’s unique literary style and thoughtful exploration of current cultural tensions.
Readers who enjoy Lydia Millet’s sharp wit and thoughtful storytelling may appreciate George Saunders, a writer celebrated for his distinctive voice and dark humor.
In his collection “Tenth of December,” Saunders examines ordinary lives through stories that blend everyday reality with unexpected circumstances.
In one memorable piece, a timid teenager stumbles upon a troubling scene in the woods and must make a tough decision, revealing layers of moral complexity beneath seemingly simple events.
Saunders skillfully combines humor and compassion, offering insights into human behavior without ever becoming sentimental. His characters often find themselves in odd situations that expose their vulnerabilities and strengths, making each story memorable and truly engaging.
Readers who enjoy Lydia Millet might also appreciate Lauren Groff. Groff is an author known for insightful, thought-provoking narratives and complex characters.
In her novel “Fates and Furies,” she presents the story of Lotto and Mathilde, a couple whose marriage seems perfect at first glance but conceals layers of secrets and untold truths.
The novel cleverly explores how two people experience the same relationship very differently, with the first half told from Lotto’s perspective and the second half from Mathilde’s.
Groff examines themes of marriage, success, hidden lives, and perceptions, building a fascinating study of relationships and personal realities.
Readers who enjoy the sharp, satirical perspectives of Lydia Millet may find Jonathan Franzen equally enjoyable. Franzen often explores family dynamics, social issues, and environmental concerns with insight and wit.
In his novel “Freedom,” he portrays the Berglund family’s complex journey through love, disappointment, and personal ambition.
The story follows Patty and Walter Berglund as their idealism collides with everyday life, politics, and changing social norms, revealing both humor and deep emotional truths. Franzen vividly captures family tension amid the messiness and contradictions of modern America.
Claire Vaye Watkins is an American author known for her sharp, thoughtful storytelling that often explores environmental and personal challenges. Her novel “Gold Fame Citrus” follows a young couple named Luz and Ray as they navigate a harsh, drought-ravaged California.
The state is now nearly abandoned, filled with sand dunes and ghost towns. Amidst this barren landscape, they find a mysterious child, which changes their lives in unexpected ways.
Watkins combines vivid imagery with complex characters, creating a narrative that feels both intimate and unsettling.
For readers who appreciate Lydia Millet’s style in blending environmental themes with unique personal stories, Watkins offers a similar powerful reading experience.
Books by Helen Phillips often blend everyday life with strange events, making them appealing to readers who enjoy Lydia Millet’s novels. Her novel “The Need” is a fascinating story about motherhood and identity.
Molly, a paleobotanist and mother of two young children, faces disturbing and unexplained events at home. When she confronts an intruder one night, reality itself becomes uncertain.
Phillips combines suspense with thoughtful explorations of parenthood, identity, and fears lurking beneath ordinary life. This eerie yet emotionally relatable narrative offers a unique take on domestic life that Millet’s readers may appreciate.