If you enjoy reading novels by Philip Roth then you might also like the following authors:
Books by Saul Bellow often touch on themes that Philip Roth fans appreciate—identity, morality, Jewish-American life, and personal crisis. If you’re into Roth’s style, you might connect with Bellow’s novel “Herzog.”
It follows Moses Herzog, a professor whose life is in chaos after losing his marriage and sense of purpose. The narrative shows Herzog’s inner world through letters he compulsively writes to friends, thinkers, and even the dead.
As he questions everything from modern life to personal failure, the novel captures the confusion and humor of a man faced with midlife turmoil.
Readers who enjoy Philip Roth’s exploration of American Jewish identity and moral complexities may find Bernard Malamud equally fascinating. Malamud’s novels often revolve around characters confronted by ethical dilemmas, personal failures, and their efforts toward redemption.
In “The Assistant,” Malamud tells the simple yet powerful story of Morris Bober, a struggling Jewish grocer whose life changes dramatically when Frank Alpine—a young Italian-American—enters his shop one day.
The book explores themes of guilt, compassion, and unexpected friendship, set against the backdrop of immigrant daily life in post-war Brooklyn. Malamud writes with warmth and quiet intensity, making “The Assistant” a memorable story of human connection and moral awakening.
Readers who appreciate Philip Roth’s blend of personal storytelling, humor, and reflection might also enjoy Isaac Bashevis Singer.
Singer’s novel “Enemies, A Love Story” takes place in post-war New York, where Holocaust survivor Herman Broder finds himself caught between three very different women.
As Herman struggles to rebuild his life and identity after surviving unimaginable loss, the novel explores themes of love, guilt, and the complexities of human relationships.
Singer writes with warmth, insight, and darkly comic moments, creating unforgettable characters who capture human nature in all its contradictions.
Books by John Updike often explore the American experience with sharp insight and honesty, themes readers of Philip Roth would likely appreciate.
A great place to start is “Rabbit, Run,” which introduces us to Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom, a young man whose dissatisfaction with ordinary life pushes him to abandon his family.
Harry’s journey through regret, escape, and desire reveals the complexity behind everyday life in small-town America. Updike doesn’t shy away from tough truths and presents characters who reflect our own flaws and uncertainties.
If you’re drawn to Roth’s candid storytelling, Updike’s vivid portrayal of ordinary yet deeply troubled characters can offer an engaging new direction.
Readers who enjoy Philip Roth’s sharp exploration of American identity and complex characters may find Norman Mailer’s novels equally rewarding. Mailer often writes about American life, masculinity, and power with honesty and depth.
His novel “The Naked and the Dead” is set during World War II and follows a platoon of American soldiers fighting the Japanese in the Pacific.
Mailer creates intense and realistic characters who struggle not only with the brutality of war but also with their inner fears, ambitions, and moral decisions.
Through gripping dialogue and powerful scenes, he portrays the psychological effects of war and leadership, revealing each soldier’s humanity and personal battles.
Don DeLillo is an American novelist known for his sharp, thought-provoking explorations of modern life and identity. Readers who enjoy Philip Roth’s perceptive stories on American society may also connect strongly with DeLillo’s novel “White Noise.”
The story revolves around Jack Gladney, a college professor who specializes in Hitler studies.
Jack’s life unfolds in a humorous yet unsettling blend of family drama, consumerism, media obsession, and the absurdity of a suburban community confronted by a chemical disaster known as the “Airborne Toxic Event.”
DeLillo’s sharp wit and satirical edge, combined with insightful observations on contemporary anxieties, offer a reading experience that fans of Roth’s narrative style and thematic depth will appreciate.
Books by Richard Ford often explore the quiet struggles and introspection of everyday lives. In “The Sportswriter,” Ford introduces Frank Bascombe, a man navigating the complexities of loss, career doubts, and personal relationships after the death of his young son.
Similar to Roth, Ford carefully portrays the inner conflicts and personal reflections of an ordinary man facing midlife changes and questioning the meaning of his own existence. Ford’s storytelling gives readers an honest look at how ordinary moments can deeply shape a life.
If you enjoy Philip Roth’s novels, you might appreciate Jonathan Franzen’s thoughtful exploration of American family dynamics and personal dilemmas.
Franzen’s novel “The Corrections” follows the Lambert family, a middle-class Midwestern family struggling with personal disappointment, awkward reunions, and the modern obsession with self-improvement.
The elderly parents, Alfred and Enid, hope for one last harmonious family Christmas, while their adult children’s lives spiral in complicated ways.
Franzen blends humor with insightful observations about American identity, family obligations, and human frailty, themes readers of Roth will quickly recognize and appreciate.
If you enjoy Philip Roth’s sharp wit and deep dives into American identity, Thomas Pynchon could be a writer worth exploring. Pynchon’s novel “The Crying of Lot 49” follows Oedipa Maas, who unexpectedly finds herself executor of a former lover’s estate.
As Oedipa sorts through the belongings left behind, she uncovers quirky mysteries, offbeat characters, and a conspiracy involving a secret postal system called the Tristero.
Pynchon’s storytelling is packed with clever humor, paranoia, and an insightful look at the strangeness beneath everyday American life.
Books by J.M. Coetzee often explore difficult moral questions and complex human emotions. Readers who enjoy Philip Roth’s deep character studies and explorations of personal identity would appreciate Coetzee’s novel “Disgrace.”
Set in post-apartheid South Africa, the story follows David Lurie, a university professor, whose life unravels after an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Forced to confront isolation and shame, Lurie moves to his daughter Lucy’s remote farm, where they face a violent attack that changes their lives profoundly.
Coetzee examines guilt, power, and redemption with the same fearlessness Roth brings to his narratives, making “Disgrace” a powerful and thought-provoking read.
Ian McEwan is a British novelist noted for exploring morally complex situations through deeply personal stories. His style and depth will appeal to readers who appreciate Philip Roth’s careful examination of human relationships and moral choices.
One of McEwan’s standout novels is “Atonement,” set initially in Britain during the tense years leading up to World War II. The story revolves around Briony Tallis, a young girl whose misunderstanding and imagination lead her to accuse an innocent man of a terrible crime.
The novel spans decades and vividly portrays how this single act changes lives forever, highlighting themes of guilt, forgiveness, and the heavy burden of past choices.
If Philip Roth’s ability to portray characters confronting moral dilemmas appeals to you, McEwan’s emotionally intense storytelling in “Atonement” could resonate strongly as well.
Paul Auster is an American author known for his inventive storytelling and exploration of identity, chance, and fate. Readers who appreciate Philip Roth’s honest portrayals of human flaws, identity struggles, and personal crises might find Auster’s novels captivating.
His book “The New York Trilogy” combines detective themes with philosophical questions about who we are and the meaning of existence. The trilogy is actually three interconnected stories where ordinary characters face mysterious, life-altering situations.
For example, in “City of Glass,” a writer named Daniel Quinn becomes mistakenly involved in an unusual detective case, which leads him into a strange investigation that changes everything he believed about his identity and reality.
Auster’s clear prose and puzzling plots keep you turning the pages.
If you enjoy Philip Roth’s exploration of identity, family, and belonging, you might connect with Jhumpa Lahiri’s fiction.
Her novel “The Namesake” centers around Gogol Ganguli, an American-born son of Bengali immigrants, and his struggle with his unusual name and dual cultural heritage.
The book gently weaves Gogol’s personal journey into his family’s immigrant experience, highlighting the conflicts between tradition and adapting to new cultural norms.
Lahiri’s storytelling feels personal and deeply authentic; her characters are believable, their struggles subtle but powerful. “The Namesake” thoughtfully examines how our identities are shaped by both our families and our environments.
Michael Chabon is an author known for his vivid storytelling and sharp exploration of Jewish-American identity, themes that readers of Philip Roth will readily appreciate.
In his novel “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” Chabon introduces us to two young cousins, Joe Kavalier, an escape artist fleeing Nazi-occupied Prague, and Sammy Clay, his Brooklyn-born cousin with dreams of comic-book glory.
Set during the vibrant era of the Golden Age of comics, their story combines humor, tragedy, and gripping historical detail.
The novel movingly captures the struggles of young artists searching for escape, love, and creative inspiration in a world overshadowed by war and prejudice.
Chabon’s work resonates with Roth’s fans for its exploration of identity, ambition, and the complex bonds of friendship and family.
Readers who appreciate Philip Roth’s sharp observations and complex character dynamics may find Lionel Shriver equally engaging. Shriver is known for her fearless approach to controversial topics and morally ambiguous characters.
Her novel “We Need to Talk About Kevin” tackles difficult questions around family, violence, and responsibility. Through the letters of a conflicted mother, Eva, readers explore the aftermath of her son’s disturbing actions and the uncertainty around her own parenting.
Shriver’s insightful understanding of human behavior and sharp character portrayals create emotional impact that resonates deeply, similar to Roth’s explorations of challenging personal relationships.