If you enjoy reading books by Machado de Assis then you might also like the following authors:
If you appreciate Machado de Assis's playful narrative approach and intricate storytelling, Laurence Sterne might catch your interest. Sterne experiments boldly with form and structure in his novel The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman.
It's full of clever digressions, witty asides, and humor that pokes fun at conventions and expectations.
Fans of Machado de Assis's sharp irony and biting social commentary might enjoy Eça de Queiroz. In The Maias, Queiroz gives us a vivid portrait of Portuguese society in decline, mixing social critique with humor and compelling characters.
His storytelling is elegant and witty, capturing human flaws with honesty and subtle humor.
If you connected with Machado de Assis's psychological depth and careful observations on society, Stendhal could interest you too. In his novel The Red and the Black, he explores the ambitions and inner turmoil of a young man trying to rise in society.
His clear prose, insightful analysis of human motives, and subtle irony resonate strongly.
Readers who like Machado's intricate psychological insight and focus on internal drama might find Henry James rewarding. In The Portrait of a Lady, James delves deeply into the mind of his protagonist, Isabel Archer, examining the consequences of her choices and desires.
His narrative is deliberate and careful, subtly exploring character and conscience.
If you're interested in Machado's inventive storytelling and the way his writing challenges reality and perception, you'll probably be fascinated by Jorge Luis Borges.
Borges's collection, Ficciones, is filled with imaginative short stories that constantly question the boundary between fiction and reality. Borges's narratives display an effortless blend of philosophy, fantasy, and intellectual playfulness.
Readers who appreciate Machado de Assis's clever narrative playfulness would likely enjoy Italo Calvino. Calvino's stories often blend fantasy, philosophy, and sharp wit.
His novel Invisible Cities imagines fantastic cities, each rich with metaphors and thoughtful reflections about memory, imagination, and desire.
If you enjoy Machado's subtle exploration of character psychology and existential mysteries, Clarice Lispector might appeal to you as well. Her writing style is introspective and richly poetic, often exploring identity and inner consciousness.
A great starting point is The Hour of the Star, a brief and powerful novel about loneliness, poverty, and the human condition.
Fans of Machado de Assis' sharp social satire and biting irony might also enjoy Nikolai Gogol. Gogol humorously critiques human vanity and societal absurdities with surreal flair.
His brilliant short story The Nose provides a funny and surreal look at identity and status, reflecting many of the themes Machado explored in his work.
If you appreciate Machado de Assis's mastery of psychological nuance and subtle irony, Anton Chekhov is an author worth exploring. Chekhov's short stories—such as the classic The Lady with the Dog—depict quiet but powerful human experiences.
His characters and settings feel deeply real and relatable, offering a tender yet pointed look at social behaviors.
For readers who enjoy Machado de Assis’s clever social commentary and insightful examination of human nature, Jane Austen offers similarly sharp observations. Austen's novels combine humor, romance, and sharp social critique.
Her work Pride and Prejudice remains a classic for its witty dialogue, intelligent characters, and likable heroines who challenge society's norms.
If you appreciate Machado de Assis's sharp observations and insightful character studies, give Gustave Flaubert a try. His writing is precise and refined, highlighting the complexities of society and human nature.
In his celebrated novel Madame Bovary, Flaubert tells the story of Emma Bovary, a woman deeply dissatisfied with her ordinary married life, leading her into fantasies, excess, and tragedy.
Milan Kundera explores philosophical questions and the absurdities of human behavior in elegant prose. If the subtle irony and psychological depth of Machado de Assis draw your interest, Kundera's thoughtful writing may resonate with you.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being is an excellent example, following intertwined relationships amid philosophical meditations on fate, history, and personal freedom.
José Saramago shares Machado de Assis's profound insight into human psychology and social criticism. He often blends imaginative storytelling with sharp commentary, crafting narratives that question morality and human nature.
In his acclaimed book Blindness, a strange epidemic renders a population blind, revealing deeper societal flaws as social order begins to collapse.
Graciliano Ramos shares Machado's realism and clear-eyed exploration of social and psychological landscapes. In Barren Lives, Ramos vividly portrays the hardships and struggles of a poor family in Northeastern Brazil.
His direct, unadorned writing brings to life social injustices and characters' emotional struggles.
Lima Barreto's work explores Brazilian society with clarity, humor, and sharp critique. Like Machado de Assis, Barreto was keenly aware of social prejudices, racial issues, and political hypocrisy.
In The Sad End of Policarpo Quaresma, Barreto creates a poignant satire about idealism and reality, focusing on the character Policarpo Quaresma and his affectionate but misguided patriotism.