If you enjoy reading books by Nathanael West then you might also like the following authors:
Flannery O’Connor wrote stories that show the darker sides of human nature through strange, unforgettable characters. Her book, “Wise Blood,” follows Hazel Motes, a soldier returning home who becomes obsessed with preaching against religion, even as he struggles to escape it.
The story is filled with odd encounters, sharp twists, and moments that catch you off guard. O’Connor’s world feels raw and gritty, with a unique focus on flawed people and unexpected events.
If you enjoy Nathanael West’s take on broken dreams and odd lives, you might connect with her work.
Thomas Pynchon is a writer known for his unique approach to storytelling and layered narratives. His book “The Crying of Lot 49” follows Oedipa Maas, a California housewife who becomes the executor of an ex-boyfriend’s estate.
She uncovers a secret group called the Tristero, which seems to operate a mysterious underground postal system. Through her search for answers, the story weaves together quirky characters, strange symbols, and questions about communication and society.
It feels disorienting yet fascinating, leaving you eager to see what Oedipa will uncover next.
Don DeLillo is an author known for exploring the strange and unsettling aspects of modern life. His book “White Noise” follows Jack Gladney, a college professor, as he navigates family life and the constant buzz of media and consumer culture.
When a toxic event disrupts his world, Jack begins to confront his fears about life and death. The story captures a sense of dread and absurdity, making it unforgettable.
John Fante was an American writer who often wrote about struggling artists, messy family dynamics, and survival in the face of frustration. His book, “Ask the Dust,” follows Arturo Bandini, a young writer trying to make a name for himself in 1930s Los Angeles.
Arturo lives in a rundown apartment, scraping by on little money while dreaming of success. Things get complicated when he meets Camilla Lopez, a waitress with her own troubles. Their connection is turbulent, filled with sharp emotions and clashing dreams.
It’s a raw and vivid story that captures the grit of ambition and flawed relationships.
Raymond Chandler wrote sharp, moody detective fiction, and his work captures a gritty version of Los Angeles in the mid-20th century. In “The Big Sleep,” private detective Philip Marlowe investigates the troubles of a wealthy family.
The case starts with a blackmail scheme but twists into something bigger, with hidden crimes and dangerous secrets. Chandler’s writing has a vivid way of bringing his characters and settings to life, making every corner of the story feel real and full of tension.
Kurt Vonnegut was an American writer known for mixing dark humor and satire to explore serious themes. One of his most well-known books is “Slaughterhouse-Five.”
The story follows Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes “unstuck in time” and experiences moments from his life out of order, including his time as a soldier during the bombing of Dresden in World War II.
The narrative moves through war, alien abduction, and everyday life with a sense of absurdity and sharp wit. It’s strange, but it makes you think about time, war, and what it means to be human.
James M. Cain is known for his tough, direct style of writing that captures raw human emotions and moral ambiguity. His novel, “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” tells the story of a drifter named Frank who gets involved with a married woman, Cora.
Together, they plot to kill her husband, but their actions lead to unexpected consequences. The book is filled with tension and sharp dialogue, drawing readers into the twisted relationship between Frank and Cora.
If you enjoy the gritty and dark tone in Nathanael West’s work, Cain’s stories might catch your attention.
Dashiell Hammett was a key figure in shaping hard-boiled crime fiction. His novel “The Maltese Falcon” introduces Sam Spade, a private detective who gets caught up in a dangerous hunt for a priceless artifact.
The story has sharp dialogue, shady characters, and plenty of double-crosses. There’s Brigid O’Shaughnessy, a woman who hires Spade under false pretenses, and a crew of unsavory criminals chasing a falcon statue. The tension builds as Spade tries to navigate this maze of lies.
Hammett’s storytelling feels grounded, with characters who are flawed yet fascinating.
Albert Camus was a French writer who explored human struggles and the search for meaning. His book “The Stranger” tells the story of Meursault, a man who lives disconnected from the world around him.
After committing an impulsive act of violence, he faces a trial that exposes how society judges people for their emotions and beliefs. The writing is stark and direct, capturing a feeling of detachment that shapes Meursault’s life.
Readers who enjoy unconventional characters and stories about life’s absurdity might find his work worth exploring.
Tennessee Williams was a playwright known for his sharp dialogue and intense character-driven stories. One of his best-known plays is “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
It tells the story of Blanche DuBois, a fragile and fading woman who moves in with her sister Stella and her brutish husband Stanley Kowalski in New Orleans. Blanche’s illusions of grandeur clash with Stanley’s harsh reality, leading to a series of explosive confrontations.
The tension builds as secrets unravel and emotions boil over. Williams captures both the beauty and ugliness of his characters, creating scenes that stick with you long after you experience them.
Charles Bukowski wrote in a raw and unfiltered style, often drawing on his own life. His stories are grounded in gritty realism, filled with flawed characters and harsh truths. In “Post Office,” the narrator, Henry Chinaski, works a dead-end job in the postal service.
The book follows his struggles with mundane routines, difficult coworkers, and his chaotic personal life. It’s blunt, darkly humorous, and doesn’t shy away from the tough parts of life.
Fans of Nathanael West, who enjoy reading about disillusionment and flawed society, might find Bukowski’s work intriguing.
Evelyn Waugh wrote sharp and witty books that often highlight both absurdity and tragedy in life. One of his most well-known novels, “A Handful of Dust,” tells the story of Tony Last, an upper-class Englishman whose seemingly perfect life begins to unravel.
His wife, discontent with their quiet life, has an affair, and Tony becomes caught up in a series of misfortunes. The story blends dry humor and bleak events, creating a portrait of social collapse and personal despair.
Waugh’s ability to blend sarcasm with darker tones makes his work memorable.
Richard Yates was an American author known for his sharp and realistic portrayals of ordinary lives. His novel “Revolutionary Road” paints a vivid picture of a couple in suburban Connecticut during the 1950s.
Frank and April Wheeler, eager to escape the monotony of their lives, dream of moving to Paris. But their plans clash with personal struggles and societal pressures, exposing the cracks in their marriage.
Yates explores themes of ambition and disappointment in a way that feels honest and unflinching, offering readers a look at the quiet struggles hidden behind the facade of the American Dream.
F. Scott Fitzgerald is an author known for capturing the lives of people chasing wealth and status in America during the 1920s.
His book, “The Great Gatsby,” tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man throwing extravagant parties in an attempt to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan.
Told from the perspective of Nick Carraway, a newcomer to Gatsby’s world, the book paints a vivid picture of ambition, desire, and the emptiness that can come with it.
The characters’ relationships are tangled with lies and longing, making their world feel both beautiful and tragic.
J.D. Salinger is best known for his novel “The Catcher in the Rye.” It follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager who leaves his boarding school and wanders through New York City.
The story shows his frustrations with the world, his struggles with loneliness, and his search for something genuine. The way Salinger writes about disillusionment and alienation might appeal to readers who enjoy Nathanael West’s take on the flaws of society.