If you enjoy reading books by Mohsin Hamid then you might also like the following authors:
Arundhati Roy is an Indian author known for her vivid storytelling and powerful prose. Her novel, “The God of Small Things,” is set in Kerala and tells the story of twin siblings, Estha and Rahel, as they navigate a world shaped by family secrets, heartbreak, and societal rules.
The novel explores how a single event in their childhood changes the course of their lives forever. It weaves moments of innocence with a sense of loss, giving readers a deep sense of the emotional weight the characters carry.
Jhumpa Lahiri is an author known for her ability to portray the lives of Indian immigrants, exploring themes of identity and family in ways that feel deeply personal. Her novel, “The Namesake,” follows Gogol Ganguli, the son of Bengali parents who immigrate to the United States.
The story captures his struggle with his unusual name and the cultural divide between his family’s traditions and his own American upbringing.
Through Gogol’s life, Lahiri paints a vivid picture of generational conflict and the search for belonging, offering moments that stick with you long after you finish reading.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian author known for her vibrant storytelling and rich exploration of cultural and personal identity. Her novel “Americanah” follows Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman who moves to the United States for college.
The story captures her experiences with race, love, and finding her way in a foreign country while reflecting on life back home in Nigeria. It’s a moving portrayal of how migration shapes a person’s sense of self, offering a perspective that feels both personal and universal.
Kamila Shamsie is a writer whose works explore family, identity, and the weight of history. One of her books, “Home Fire,” tells the story of siblings in Britain navigating loyalty and betrayal.
The eldest sister, Isma, leaves her younger siblings to pursue her PhD in America, while her headstrong sister, Aneeka, tries to protect their troubled brother, Parvaiz, who has made a disastrous decision.
It’s a modern take on Sophocles’ “Antigone,” filled with layered relationships and the impact of political decisions on personal lives. Shamsie has a way of drawing you into the characters’ lives so fully that you feel every choice they make.
Fans of Mohsin Hamid’s interest in balancing intimate stories within larger societal questions might enjoy her work.
Kazuo Ishiguro is a writer known for creating stories that explore human emotions and memory with quiet precision. In his novel “Never Let Me Go,” he introduces readers to Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth, three students at an unusual boarding school.
As the story unfolds, the focus shifts to the deep bonds they share and the unsettling secret that shapes their futures. The book captures a bittersweet sense of longing and raises questions about what it means to truly live.
Elif Shafak is a storyteller who weaves complex characters and cultures into her work, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and human connection. One of her standout novels, “The Bastard of Istanbul,” revolves around a Turkish family weighed down by secrets and history.
It follows Asya, a young woman in Istanbul, and Armanoush, her Armenian-American relative, as their lives intersect, revealing hidden truths about their shared past.
The book blends personal stories with larger historical narratives, showing how the past continues to shape the present in profound ways.
Rohinton Mistry is an author known for his rich storytelling and the way he brings life in India to the page. His book “A Fine Balance” is set during the Emergency in India and follows four strangers brought together under challenging circumstances.
The story explores their struggles and connections as they try to survive in a world that feels hostile and uncertain. Mistry focuses on human emotions and relationships, painting a picture of resilience and hope during turbulent times.
Zadie Smith is a fantastic writer known for her sharp observations and rich characters. Her book “White Teeth” tells the story of two families in London, the Joneses and the Iqbals, whose lives are interwoven across generations.
It explores themes like identity, belonging, and the quirks of family life. The story brings together a mix of cultures, histories, and personal struggles, creating a vivid picture of contemporary urban life.
From Archie’s impulsive actions to Samad’s tug-of-war with tradition, the characters feel lively and complex without ever being overbearing.
If you’re drawn to Mohsin Hamid’s ability to weave deeply personal stories against larger social backdrops, Smith offers a similar sense of connection to place and humanity.
Haruki Murakami is a Japanese author known for blending the ordinary with the surreal in his stories. One of his books, “Kafka on the Shore,” follows a teenage boy who runs away from home and an elderly man who talks to cats.
Their lives seem separate at first, but strange events connect them in ways that feel haunting yet fascinating. The book grapples with themes of memory and destiny, creating a world that feels both familiar and otherworldly.
Teju Cole writes in a way that feels thoughtful and immersive, drawing readers into the lives of his characters. His novel, “Open City,” follows Julius, a Nigerian doctor living in New York, as he walks through the city reflecting on his experiences and the histories around him.
The book doesn’t stick to a single focus but moves across topics like identity, race, and memory. Julius’s wanderings and encounters reveal layers of the city and his own life, sometimes with surprising turns that stay with you after you finish reading.
Salman Rushdie is an author known for weaving rich stories that explore culture, identity, and history. One of his most well-known books, “Midnight’s Children,” follows Saleem Sinai, a boy born at the exact moment of India’s independence.
His life is deeply connected to the nation’s evolving history, and he discovers he has unique abilities that link him to others born at the same time. The story mixes historical events with magical elements, creating a narrative full of surprises and connections.
Han Kang is a South Korean author known for her deeply emotional and thought-provoking stories. Her book, “The Vegetarian,” follows Yeong-hye, a woman who decides to stop eating meat after a series of gruesome dreams.
This choice sets off shockwaves in her life, as her family and society react to her in ways that unravel their own hidden truths. The story explores how personal rebellion can reveal the fractures in relationships and societal expectations.
Fans of Mohsin Hamid’s exploration of identity and isolation might find themselves drawn to the raw, intimate storytelling in Han Kang’s work.
Colson Whitehead is a writer with a knack for blending history with powerful storytelling. In his book “The Underground Railroad,” he reimagines the real-life network that helped enslaved people find freedom as an actual underground train system.
The story follows Cora, an enslaved young woman, as she escapes a brutal plantation and travels through different states, each one presenting its own strange and dangerous world. It’s a journey filled with danger and resilience, exploring deep struggles for freedom and identity.
Amitav Ghosh is an author who weaves stories that explore history, culture, and the connections between people and places. One of his well-known novels, “Sea of Poppies,” takes readers to 19th-century India during the opium trade.
The story follows a diverse group of characters—a widow seeking freedom, a bankrupt prince, and an American sailor—who all find themselves aboard the Ibis, a ship bound for Mauritius.
Their lives intersect in unexpected ways, painting a vivid picture of colonial tensions and personal struggles. Ghosh’s storytelling captures the setting and era, drawing you into a world of shifting fortunes and human resilience.
Leïla Slimani is a French-Moroccan author who writes stories that explore human relationships and the tension between appearances and hidden truths.
Her novel “The Perfect Nanny” tells the story of a family who hires a nanny to care for their children, but what seems like a perfect arrangement unravels in a way that leaves the reader uneasy.
The book highlights the trust placed in a stranger and how small cracks can grow into something dark. Slimani’s writing is sharp and direct, which makes her books hard to put down.