If you enjoy reading novels by Mo Yan then you might also like the following authors:
Yu Hua is a Chinese author known for his ability to capture the rawness of human life through straightforward storytelling.
One of his most well-known books, “To Live,” follows the life of Fugui, a man from a wealthy family who loses everything and spends his days struggling to rebuild his existence.
Set against major events in modern Chinese history, the story paints a picture of survival and resilience. Fugui’s journey is shaped by personal loss, unexpected friendships, and the determination to carry on despite the hardships life throws his way.
For fans of Mo Yan’s vivid and emotional portrayals of rural China, Yu Hua offers a different but equally powerful perspective.
Ha Jin is a Chinese-American writer known for stories that explore the struggles of ordinary lives caught in larger socio-political currents. His novel “Waiting” tells the story of Lin Kong, a doctor in rural China, who is stuck in a loveless arranged marriage.
For years, he tries to divorce his wife to marry a nurse he loves. What makes the story so striking is the way it captures not just the frustration of the characters but also life under strict societal rules.
It shows how choices are shaped by duty, tradition, and personal longing in a way that feels quietly profound.
Gao Xingjian is a Chinese author and playwright who won the Nobel Prize in Literature. His novel, “Soul Mountain,” combines personal reflection with stories of people and places across China.
The book begins with the narrator learning he doesn’t have a terminal illness, which pushes him to leave his familiar life behind and journey into the countryside. Along the way, he meets characters with their own struggles and stories.
The narrative shifts between perspectives, creating an intimate look at the search for meaning, freedom, and identity. It captures the vastness of China, with its ancient traditions and modern tensions.
Liu Cixin is a Chinese author known for his imaginative science fiction. One of his most famous books, “The Three-Body Problem,” starts during China’s Cultural Revolution. A secret scientific experiment makes contact with an alien civilization from a dying world.
The aliens see Earth as their next home and set their sights on it. The story blends human conflicts, alien technology, and mysteries of the universe.
The book brings big questions about humanity and survival to the forefront, with every chapter pulling you deeper into its unique world.
Jung Chang is a well-known writer who focuses on Chinese history and personal stories that connect to larger historical events.
Her book, “Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China,” tells the story of three generations of women in her family, blending personal struggles with the backdrop of major changes in 20th-century China.
The book starts with her grandmother, who was a warlord’s concubine, moves to her mother, who worked for the Communist Party, and ends with her own experiences during the Cultural Revolution.
It paints vivid scenes of resilience, conflict, and the impact of political movements on everyday life.
Eileen Chang was a Chinese author known for her sharp observations and emotionally rich stories. Her novel “Love in a Fallen City” is set in 1940s Hong Kong, during a time of war and uncertainty. It follows a divorced woman, Bai Liusu, whose family sees her as a burden.
When she meets the wealthy and aloof Fan Liuyuan, their relationship grows against the backdrop of a collapsing world. The story dives into themes of love, survival, and societal expectations, painting vivid moments of human connection even in the shadow of chaos.
Su Tong is a Chinese author known for exploring complex family dynamics and the darker sides of human nature. One of his well-known novels, “Raise the Red Lantern,” focuses on a young woman, Lotus, who becomes the fourth wife of a wealthy man in 1930s China.
The story pulls you into the rigid rules of the household, where control and jealousy dominate. Lanterns are lit outside the wife’s quarters to signal the husband’s favor, creating tension and rivalry.
The setting is vivid, filled with courtyards and traditions that feel both oppressive and fascinating. It’s atmospheric and focused on relationships that shift with each betrayal and moment of power.
Yan Lianke is a Chinese writer who creates vivid and unsettling stories that explore humanity and society. His novel “Dream of Ding Village” is a powerful tale about a rural village devastated by an AIDS epidemic, caused by a government-backed blood-selling scheme.
The story is narrated by the ghost of a young boy who watches as his family and neighbors fall apart under the weight of greed, corruption, and loss. The book doesn’t shy away from showing the impact of betrayal within families or the desperation of those clinging to survival.
It’s emotional, intense, and offers a sharp look at the cost of ambition and neglect.
Shen Congwen was a Chinese writer known for capturing the rural life and traditions of his homeland with vivid detail and emotional depth. One of his most famous works, “Border Town,” paints a picture of life in a small mountain village by a river.
The story revolves around a ferryman’s granddaughter, Cuicui, and her quiet, innocent life as she begins to navigate the complexities of love and choice. The backdrop of the village, with its customs and relationships, brings the world to life.
Shen’s writing feels close to the earth, giving readers a glimpse into a way of life that almost feels timeless. If you enjoy stories rooted in rich landscapes and human connection, this book might appeal to you.
Xue Xinran is a Chinese-born journalist and author who gives voice to stories that often go unheard, focusing on the lives of ordinary people in China.
One of her books, “The Good Women of China,” is a collection of real-life stories she gathered during her time as a radio show host.
It shares the experiences of women across China, from a mother who sacrificed everything for her daughter’s education to a survivor of a devastating earthquake. The book offers a heartbreaking look at what these women endured and how they sought hope in the face of adversity.
If you’ve admired the way Mo Yan explores human struggles and resilience in his works, you might find Xinran’s stories equally powerful.
Lu Xun is one of the most influential writers in modern Chinese literature. His collection of short stories, “Call to Arms,” paints a vivid picture of early 20th-century China during a time of social and political turmoil.
One of the stories, “The True Story of Ah Q,” introduces a peasant who constantly faces humiliation but consoles himself with small delusions of victory. The story is both sharp and darkly humorous, highlighting human flaws and societal struggles.
Lu Xun’s writing digs deep into human nature and reflects the challenges of his time in a way that feels raw and powerful.
Banana Yoshimoto is a Japanese author known for exploring themes of love, loss, and the small yet impactful moments that shape everyday life.
Her novel “Kitchen” tells the story of a young woman, Mikage, who finds solace and healing through her love of cooking after losing her grandmother, her last surviving family member.
She moves in with a friend, Yuichi, and his mysterious mother, Eriko, and together they form an unexpected bond. The story doesn’t rush or force its emotions but lets them grow naturally through quiet moments and heartfelt connections.
It’s a book that gently reveals how people can find meaning and comfort in one another during lonely times.
Kazuo Ishiguro is a writer known for exploring memory and the passage of time in his stories. One of his most striking works is “The Remains of the Day.” It follows Stevens, a butler in post-war England, who looks back on his years of service to a wealthy lord.
As Stevens reflects on his life, his dedication to duty and his missed chances for personal happiness come into focus. The novel quietly examines loyalty, dignity, and the choices that shape a person’s life. It’s a story where everyday moments reveal deep emotional weight.
If you enjoy characters living within the sweep of history, Ishiguro might catch your interest.
Haruki Murakami is a Japanese author known for blending surreal elements with everyday life. In his novel “Kafka on the Shore”, he tells the story of a teenage boy named Kafka who runs away from home to escape a dark prophecy.
At the same time, an older man named Nakata, who speaks to cats, embarks on a mysterious journey. Their paths cross in strange and unexpected ways, pulling you into a world where dreams and reality mix.
If you enjoy Mo Yan’s ability to weave the surreal into his stories, Murakami’s imaginative worlds might be a perfect match.
Salman Rushdie is known for blending history, imagination, and cultural depth in his stories. One of his famous works, “Midnight’s Children,” follows the life of Saleem Sinai, a boy born at the exact moment of India’s independence.
His life becomes intertwined with the country’s history, and he discovers he has a mysterious connection to other children born at the same time.
The book is rich with family drama, political struggles, and moments of magical realism, as Saleem’s journey mirrors the challenges of a growing nation.