If you enjoy reading books by Pearl S. Buck then you might also like the following authors:
Amy Tan is an author known for her rich exploration of family relationships and cultural identity. Her book “The Joy Luck Club” tells the story of four Chinese immigrant women and their American-born daughters.
The narrative shifts between the mothers’ pasts in China and the daughters’ lives in the United States. The mothers form a club where they share stories while playing mahjong.
These tales reveal the struggles and sacrifices of their lives in China, while their daughters wrestle with their own challenges in a society that feels far removed from their mothers’ traditions. It’s a powerful look at how culture, family, and generations shape us.
Lisa See is an author who writes stories rich with historical and cultural detail, often focusing on China and the Chinese-American experience. In her book “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” she tells the story of two girls, Lily and Snow Flower, growing up in 19th-century China.
They form a deep bond through a secret women’s writing system called nu shu. The book explores their lives as they navigate arranged marriages, family struggles, and the traditions that define their world.
Through their friendship, you get a window into a time and culture that feels distant yet relatable through the emotions they face.
James Michener is known for writing historical epics that span generations and explore the lives of communities over time. One of his most well-known books, “Hawaii,” follows the settlement and development of the Hawaiian Islands.
It begins with the volcanic creation of the islands and later introduces missionaries, immigrants, and native Hawaiians. The story weaves through their struggles, relationships, and cultural clashes as they shape the identity of the islands.
The book brings to life the history and diversity of Hawaii in vivid detail. Fans of Pearl S. Buck might enjoy the way Michener captures the lives of people across different backgrounds and times.
Ha Jin is a Chinese-American writer whose work often explores themes of loyalty, personal sacrifice, and the struggles of life under oppressive regimes.
His novel “Waiting” tells the story of Lin Kong, a military doctor in rural China, who is trapped in an arranged marriage with a woman he respects but does not love.
For years, he yearns to marry his true love, a nurse named Manna Wu, but rigid societal rules and bureaucratic obstacles constantly delay their plans. The story moves through decades of their lives, revealing the emotional toll of duty and unfulfilled desires.
Fans of Pearl S. Buck, who appreciate deeply human stories in historical settings, might find Ha Jin’s writing especially engaging.
Khaled Hosseini is a writer who creates stories with deep emotion and a strong sense of place. His novel “The Kite Runner” is set in Afghanistan and follows the life of Amir, a boy from a wealthy family, and his friendship with Hassan, the son of his father’s servant.
The story captures loyalty, betrayal, and the weight of past choices. There’s a powerful moment involving a kite-flying contest that changes everything for Amir and Hassan. The book also explores ties to family, how they can hurt and heal, and the hope for redemption.
It offers a vivid look at Afghan culture and history woven into a personal tale.
Jhumpa Lahiri is an author known for exploring themes of identity, family, and displacement. Her book “The Namesake” tells the story of Gogol Ganguli, the son of Indian immigrants in America.
Gogol struggles to balance the traditions of his parents with his life in a different culture. His unusual name, taken from a Russian writer, becomes a symbol of his inner conflict.
The novel follows him through key moments in his life, capturing how he tries to make sense of who he really is and where he belongs. Lahiri’s writing often focuses on ordinary moments, but the way they shape her characters feels unforgettable.
Kazuo Ishiguro is an author known for writing stories with a quiet emotional depth. His book “The Remains of the Day” follows Stevens, an aging butler, as he reflects on his decades of service to an English lord.
The story takes place as Stevens embarks on a road trip to visit someone from his past. Through his memories, you see his devotion to duty, but also the personal sacrifices he made along the way.
The novel explores themes that feel deeply human, including the pull between loyalty and personal happiness.
Isabel Allende is a Chilean author known for her vivid storytelling and rich family sagas. One of her most famous novels, “The House of the Spirits,” follows the lives of the Trueba family across generations.
The story weaves together personal struggles, political upheaval, and moments of unexplainable magic. Clara, a young woman with the ability to communicate with spirits, becomes the heart of the family’s story as their fates intertwine with Chile’s turbulent history.
The book creates a world where extraordinary events feel natural and deeply human. If you enjoy deep emotional journeys that explore both family bonds and historical change, this might be one to pick up.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a storyteller with a gift for weaving culture and personal experience into her work. Her novel, “Half of a Yellow Sun,” is set during the Nigerian Civil War. It follows the lives of characters whose paths cross in unexpected ways.
Ugwu, a young houseboy, begins working for a university professor. Olanna, the professor’s partner, struggles with loyalty and love. Richard, an Englishman, gets drawn into the complexities of the world around him.
Through these characters, the book presents a vivid glimpse of a turbulent time in Nigeria’s history. The story combines war, relationships, and the human cost of conflict in a way that feels deeply personal.
Gabriel García Márquez was a Colombian author who captured the magic of everyday life in his stories. One of his most famous books, “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” tells the story of the Buendía family over several generations in the fictional town of Macondo.
The novel blends ordinary events with extraordinary occurrences. For example, a character ascends into the sky, and another experiences a plague of insomnia that spreads across the town. It’s a story rich with emotion, history, and moments that feel larger than life.
If you enjoy books that explore family struggles and connections in vivid, imaginative ways, you might enjoy this one.
Rohinton Mistry is an author known for his rich storytelling about life in India. His novel, “A Fine Balance,” takes place during the Emergency period in the mid-1970s.
It follows four characters—a widowed tailoress, two low-caste tailors, and a college student—who are brought together by circumstance in a cramped apartment. The story explores their struggles with poverty, political unrest, and survival in a society filled with deep divisions.
Mistry paints vivid scenes of both hope and hardship, bringing readers into the lives of people doing their best to endure what life has thrown at them.
Eileen Chang was a Chinese author known for her keen observations of human emotions and relationships. Her novel “Love in a Fallen City” is set in 1940s Hong Kong and follows Bai Liusu, a divorced woman navigating societal expectations while trying to secure her independence.
She enters a complicated relationship with a wealthy bachelor, Fan Liuyuan, as they face personal struggles against the backdrop of a city caught in wartime chaos. The story highlights the tension between love and survival, as well as the pressures of tradition and modernity.
It’s a nuanced tale that brings emotions and cultural conflicts into vivid focus.
Yaa Gyasi is an author who writes with a focus on human connections and deep family histories. Her novel, “Homegoing,” tells the story of two half-sisters from 18th-century Ghana.
One is married off to a British colonizer, while the other is sold into slavery and sent to America. The book follows their descendants, moving through different eras and showing how the choices and struggles of their ancestors shape their lives.
It’s a story that spans generations, bringing to life moments of joy, loss, and survival.
Alan Paton was a South African author known for his heartfelt stories that explore human struggles and societal issues. His book “Cry, the Beloved Country” tells the story of a black pastor, Stephen Kumalo, who travels to Johannesburg to find his son.
Along the way, he witnesses the deep divisions and inequalities caused by apartheid. The book paints a vivid picture of South Africa during a time of tension and change.
It explores themes of family, justice, and redemption, creating a world that feels both personal and universal. People who appreciate the emotional depth and cultural insights of Pearl S. Buck’s work might find Paton’s writing equally moving.
Anita Desai is an Indian author known for her deeply human stories. Her novel, “Clear Light of Day,” centers on a family in Delhi and explores the relationships between siblings as they confront their shared past.
The story moves through the lives of Bim and Tara, two sisters who represent very different paths in life. Bim stays in the family home, caring for their ill brother, while Tara marries and moves away.
The book captures the beauty and challenges of family bonds, with moments of quiet reflection and tension that linger. It’s rich in emotion, offering a window into lives shaped by memory, choices, and time.