If you enjoy reading books by Ottessa Moshfegh then you might also like the following authors:
Rachel Cusk writes with a sharp and precise style, exploring characters in ways that feel raw and intimate. Her novel “Outline” follows a writer traveling to Greece to teach a summer course.
Instead of focusing on her own story, the book unveils the lives of the people she encounters through their conversations with her—students, strangers on a plane, and others.
Each voice reveals unexpected truths, painting a fragmented yet vivid picture of human connections and personal struggles.
Sally Rooney writes stories that focus on relationships, emotions, and how people navigate the spaces between them. In her book “Normal People,” she tells the story of Connell and Marianne, two classmates from a small Irish town.
Connell is popular and well-liked, while Marianne is quiet and keeps to herself. Their connection begins in secret, but as they grow older and leave for university, their lives pull them together and apart in unexpected ways.
The book looks at the unspoken rules between people, social expectations, and the ways we try to find meaning in each other. If you enjoy characters with complex inner lives, Rooney might catch your interest.
Lorrie Moore is known for her sharp wit and an ability to capture life’s absurdities. In her book “Birds of America,” she weaves together stories about people navigating loneliness, frailty, and connection.
One story follows a woman attending a party after her mother’s cancer diagnosis, where the everyday chatter feels surreal and deeply human.
Moore’s writing balances humor and heartbreak effortlessly, making her work engaging for readers who enjoy honest and offbeat explorations of flawed characters.
Deborah Levy is a writer who crafts stories with sharp insights into human nature and relationships. Her novel “Hot Milk” explores a mother-daughter dynamic set against the backdrop of a strange, sun-soaked coastal town in Spain.
The daughter, Sofia, takes her ailing mother to a mysterious clinic, where they meet eccentric characters and encounter moments that blur the line between care and control. The setting feels almost surreal, but the emotions and tensions between the characters feel raw and real.
If you’re drawn to intense portraits of flawed individuals, Levy’s writing has a lot to offer.
Elif Batuman writes with a sharp sense of humor and a knack for making ordinary moments feel strange and memorable. Her novel “The Idiot” follows Selin, a college student in the 1990s, navigating her first love and the confusing paths of adulthood.
Through awkward emails and unexpected cultural clashes, the book paints a quirky and relatable picture of feeling lost, searching for meaning, and figuring out who you are.
Jenny Offill writes sharp and thoughtful books that explore the messiness of modern life. Her novel “Dept. of Speculation” tells the story of a woman reflecting on her marriage, creativity, and motherhood.
The book is written in short, fragmented sections, capturing moments of love, disappointment, and humor. The narrator feels both intimate and raw, sharing her fears, ambitions, and the weight of everyday struggles.
It’s a book that shines a light on the cracks in relationships without feeling heavy-handed.
Patricia Lockwood has a sharp and unique voice in her writing, often blending humor with a sharp edge. Her book “No One Is Talking About This” follows a woman who gains attention online and finds her life deeply tied to the surreal world of the internet.
She begins to feel a rift between that virtual life and the reality of her family, especially when a personal event pulls her back to the physical world.
Lockwood’s style captures the strange absurdity of online culture, while also weaving in profound reflections on human connection.
Sheila Heti is a writer who explores the edges of human thought and behavior with sharp, honest prose. Her book “How Should a Person Be?” is part novel, part memoir, and part play.
It follows Sheila, a writer grappling with questions about art, friendship, success, and how to live a meaningful life. Much of the story revolves around her intense friendship with Margaux, a painter, and their creative and personal challenges.
The dialogue feels raw and unfiltered, with moments that are awkward, funny, and deeply personal. It’s the kind of book that makes everyday interactions feel electric.
Lydia Millet writes sharp and imaginative stories that explore human behavior in strange and fascinating ways. In her book “A Children’s Bible,” a group of children vacations with their neglectful parents at a large, crumbling house.
As a storm uproots their lives and society begins to collapse, the kids take charge, navigating survival on their own terms. The story blends dark humor with moments of eerie beauty, creating a vivid world where childhood and apocalypse meet.
Fans of Ottessa Moshfegh’s unique and biting narratives might find Millet’s work equally intriguing.
Tao Lin is known for capturing the isolation and complexities of modern life. One of his standout novels, “Taipei,” follows Paul, a young writer navigating relationships, drugs, and disconnection in both New York and Taiwan.
The story moves through hazy parties, awkward conversations, and impulsive trips. It paints a vivid picture of aimlessness and the ways technology and substances shape everyday experiences.
If you like introspective characters and raw narratives, this book offers an intriguing perspective.
Megan Nolan writes stories that dive into raw emotions and personal struggles. Her novel “Acts of Desperation” follows a young woman caught in a toxic relationship, examining her desires and the lengths she’ll go to for love.
The narrator’s honesty about jealousy and obsession feels brutal but deeply human. Fans of Ottessa Moshfegh might find a familiar pull toward flawed, emotionally complex characters in Nolan’s work.
Sam Lipsyte writes dark, sharp, and often uncomfortable stories about flawed characters. His humor has a bite, and his writing doesn’t shy away from painful truths.
In his novel “The Ask,” the protagonist, Milo Burke, is a disgraced development officer who gets a second chance when a wealthy college friend asks for help handling a delicate favor.
The story moves through Milo’s messy personal life, touching on strained marriages, bitter friendships, and how people buckle under the weight of modern failures.
It’s bleak but strangely funny, peeling back the layers of people trying to get by in a world that feels empty and absurd. Fans of Ottessa Moshfegh’s unflinching exploration of human flaws might find this book satisfying.
Alissa Nutting writes stories that push boundaries, often blending dark humor with unsettling characters. Her book “Tampa” focuses on Celeste, a young and attractive middle school teacher who uses her charm to manipulate and pursue inappropriate relationships with her students.
The book doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable details, exploring the mind of a deeply flawed and selfish character. Nutting’s sharp, unapologetic style might appeal to readers who enjoy the bold and provocative tones found in Ottessa Moshfegh’s work.
Miranda July writes with a strange and sometimes uncomfortable honesty that can catch you off guard. Her book, “The First Bad Man,” tells the story of Cheryl, a woman in her forties who has a routine life and a lot of quirks.
When her bosses ask her to let their messy and aggressive daughter, Clee, move into her home, everything falls apart in ways Cheryl never expects. The novel is filled with raw emotions, awkward interactions, and unpredictable connections.
Fans of Ottessa Moshfegh might enjoy how Miranda July explores the flaws and oddities of her characters in a way that feels both intimate and unsettling.
George Saunders writes stories that mix dark humor with a sharp look at human behavior. His book “Tenth of December” is a collection of short stories that explore ordinary people in strange or intense situations.
One story follows a boy trying to help a dying man in the woods, while another looks at a mom working at a bizarre, dystopian amusement park. Saunders creates worlds that feel offbeat but relatable, making you think about people’s choices and struggles in surprising ways.