If you enjoy reading books by Mary Augusta Ward then you might also like the following authors:
Books by Anthony Trollope often explore English society and politics with humor, subtlety, and great charm. If you’re drawn to Mary Augusta Ward’s thoughtful portrayals of social dilemmas and complex relationships, Trollope’s novel “The Warden” may interest you.
This first book in his Chronicles of Barsetshire series centers around the likable and mild-mannered Reverend Harding, who finds himself at odds with his community over church money. The story carefully balances comedy and moral seriousness.
Trollope introduces characters who face relatable conflicts, and through Reverend Harding we see a quiet man forced into making tough decisions as he navigates duty, pride, and friendship.
If you enjoy Ward’s ability to portray personal struggles against social expectations, Trollope’s insightful and humorous observations on Victorian life offer a similar appeal.
Readers who enjoy Mary Augusta Ward may also appreciate Arnold Bennett’s thoughtful exploration of English society and its characters.
Bennett, an English novelist from the early 20th century, skillfully portrays people’s ambitions and personal struggles within their social settings.
His novel “The Old Wives’ Tale” follows two sisters, Constance and Sophia Baines, from their youth in a quiet shop in a small town through their differing paths over decades.
The book spans changing times and shifting values, weaving intimate, relatable moments into the broad canvas of social history. Bennett brings depth and realism to his narrative, showing the strength and resilience of ordinary lives.
E. M. Forster was an English novelist known for stories that skillfully explore society and human relationships, similar to the themes readers find in Mary Augusta Ward’s novels.
His book “Howards End” revolves around the lives of three families from different social backgrounds: the intellectual Schlegels, the wealthy but pragmatic Wilcoxes, and the struggling working-class Basts.
Set against the shifting backdrop of early 20th-century England, the narrative examines class tension, individual desires, and the effort to understand others across social divides.
The interactions between the strong-willed Margaret Schlegel and the reserved Henry Wilcox highlight the complexities and misunderstandings between social classes.
Forster’s carefully crafted characters and sharp commentary on Edwardian society might appeal to readers who enjoy Ward’s thoughtful treatment of human nature and societal values.
Readers who enjoy Mary Augusta Ward’s novels about society, family dynamics, and moral dilemmas may also appreciate Elizabeth Gaskell. Gaskell was an English novelist in the Victorian era who explored social issues with empathy and insight.
In her book “North and South,” Elizabeth Gaskell portrays Margaret Hale, a strong and thoughtful heroine who moves from the idyllic countryside of southern England to the industrial north.
Facing poverty and harsh conditions among mill workers, Margaret navigates class tensions and personal relationships, including a complex bond with the mill owner, John Thornton.
Gaskell’s vivid storytelling and nuanced characters offer a captivating look at the struggles and changes in Victorian society.
George Eliot was the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, a Victorian author who explored morality, society, and human nature in her novels. If you appreciate Mary Augusta Ward’s realistic portrayals and rich exploration of social issues, Eliot’s “Middlemarch” might appeal to you.
Set in a small English town during the early 1830s, the novel offers intertwined stories of ordinary people and their struggles with ambition, love, and integrity.
Eliot skillfully examines marriage through Dorothea Brooke, a smart and idealistic woman who marries a scholarly man twice her age, and through characters like Dr. Lydgate, whose ambitions collide against harsh realities.
The book gives readers a deep view of provincial life, filled with complex characters and thoughtful social observations.
Henry James was an American-born author famous for novels that explore social classes and personal relationships with subtle psychological insight.
Readers who enjoy Mary Augusta Ward’s narratives exploring moral and social issues within English society might find James’s works engaging and similarly thought-provoking.
In his novel “The Portrait of a Lady,” Henry James tells the story of Isabel Archer, a spirited young American woman traveling across Europe. Isabel inherits a large fortune, and her newfound wealth draws manipulative individuals into her life.
Fascinated by European society but innocent of its darker motives, Isabel faces difficult choices about independence, love, and freedom. James carefully portrays her internal conflicts as she grapples with her decisions and their consequences.
This novel thoroughly examines personal freedom, exploitation, and moral decisions, themes readers of Ward may appreciate.
John Galsworthy was an English author admired for novels about family dynamics, social change, and the moral struggles of his time. Readers who appreciate Mary Augusta Ward’s thoughtful portrayal of society and character might enjoy Galsworthy’s “The Man of Property.”
This novel portrays the wealthy Forsyte family and their interactions in upper-middle-class Victorian society. At its center stands Soames Forsyte, whose possessive pursuit of both property and personal relationships stirs tension within the family.
Galsworthy explores how material desires influence human connections, laying bare the moral conflicts beneath polite society. Those drawn to Ward’s insightful storytelling could appreciate Galsworthy’s detailed exploration of human nature and social conventions.
Readers who enjoy Mary Augusta Ward’s thoughtful depiction of Victorian society might appreciate Thomas Hardy. His novels often show characters struggling against social expectations and their own complicated emotions.
In his novel “Far from the Madding Crowd,” Hardy introduces Bathsheba Everdene, an independent and spirited woman who unexpectedly inherits a farm.
As she navigates managing the farm and dealing with the pursuits of three different suitors, Bathsheba faces decisions that will impact her entire future.
Hardy’s vivid portrayal of rural life and his sharp insights into human nature combine to create a memorable reading experience.
Edith Wharton was an American novelist who excelled at depicting the social conventions and moral dilemmas of elite society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Readers who enjoy Mary Augusta Ward’s novels will appreciate Wharton’s insightful portrayals of complex relationships and societal expectations.
Her novel “The Age of Innocence” follows Newland Archer, a respected young lawyer who becomes engaged to May Welland, an ideal woman of their upper-class New York community.
Archer soon meets May’s cousin, the independent and unconventional Countess Ellen Olenska, who has separated from her European husband. This meeting challenges Archer’s views on duty, love, and society’s rigid expectations.
Wharton masterfully explores personal desires confronted by the boundaries set by tradition, reputation, and family obligations.
Readers who enjoy Mary Augusta Ward’s thoughtful exploration of society and complex relationships might appreciate Margaret Oliphant’s novels as well. Oliphant, a Scottish author from the Victorian era, offers insightful portrayals of domestic life and social expectations.
Her novel “Miss Marjoribanks” introduces the confident and socially ambitious Lucilla Marjoribanks, who after returning home from school decides to revolutionize her provincial English town’s social scene.
Lucilla’s humorous yet determined efforts to manage everyone around her create a delightful story of subtle satire, engaging characters, and keen social observation.
The novel cleverly comments on gender roles and societal dynamics of the time, and readers who value Ward’s rich characterizations and social insights will likely find Oliphant’s storytelling equally rewarding.
William Dean Howells was an influential writer who captured American society in detailed realism. Readers who enjoy Mary Augusta Ward’s thoughtful observations on social dynamics may appreciate Howells’ novel “The Rise of Silas Lapham.”
The book tells the story of Silas Lapham, a self-made businessman navigating Boston’s high society. The novel carefully explores themes of wealth, morality, and social class, as Silas tries to balance ambition and integrity.
Through engaging characters and authentic dialogue, Howells invites readers to consider the true price of success in a rapidly industrializing America.
George Meredith was a British novelist and poet known for his sharp wit and insightful storytelling. If you appreciate Mary Augusta Ward’s thoughtful plots and careful character development, Meredith’s work may appeal to you.
His novel “The Egoist” centers around Sir Willoughby Patterne, a wealthy and self-centered young man convinced of his charm and superiority. Meredith explores the constraints of Victorian society through witty dialogues, well-crafted characters, and clever observations.
The interplay of romance, humor, and criticism in “The Egoist” creates both entertainment and thoughtful reflection.
H. G. Wells was an English author known for science fiction novels, but he also wrote insightful stories about society and human nature.
Readers who appreciate Mary Augusta Ward’s thoughtful explorations of morality, social questions, and human psychology may enjoy Wells’ novel “The Invisible Man.” This book tells the story of a scientist named Griffin who discovers how to make himself invisible.
At first his discovery seems incredible, but as Griffin tries to use invisibility to gain power over others, his ambition takes a dark turn. Wells explores children’s fears, moral corruption, and society’s response to the unknown through Griffin’s adventures.
If you appreciate novels that examine deep human struggles and dilemmas from a unique angle, “The Invisible Man” offers a story both thrilling and thought-provoking.
Readers who appreciate Mary Augusta Ward’s thoughtful exploration of society and relationships may also enjoy Jane Austen’s novels. Austen is famous for her sharp yet humorous insights into the manners and class dynamics of early 19th century England.
Her novel “Sense and Sensibility” tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. After their father’s death, the sisters face reduced finances and uncertain futures.
Sensible and composed Elinor quietly experiences heartache and romantic disappointment, while passionate Marianne openly pursues love without caution.
Austen’s story follows how each sister navigates love, loss, and societal expectations, creating distinct portraits of two young women who strive for happiness under restrictive social pressures.
Books by Wilkie Collins often explore moral tension and social dilemmas, themes familiar to readers who enjoy Mary Augusta Ward.
In Collins’s novel “The Woman in White,” the story follows Walter Hartright, a young art instructor who encounters a strange and distressed woman on a lonely road at night.
When he later teaches drawing at an isolated country house, he meets Laura Fairlie, a young heiress who uncannily resembles the mysterious woman in white. As Walter investigates their connection, he uncovers deception, family secrets, and suspicion.
The story is told from multiple characters’ viewpoints, each adding their own unique understanding of the unfolding mystery. Collins skillfully keeps readers unsure who to trust, building suspense as Walter strives to protect Laura and reveal the truth.
Fans of Mary Augusta Ward’s thoughtful explorations of character and society will likely appreciate how Collins combines engaging stories with sharp insights into Victorian life.