If you enjoy reading books by Rawi Hage then you might also like the following authors:
Rabih Alameddine is a Lebanese-American writer known for his playful storytelling and deep insights into identity, exile, and the complexity of memory.
His novel An Unnecessary Woman follows Aaliya, a solitary woman living in Beirut, who translates classic literature as her refuge from past disappointments.
Alameddine's writing is sharp, candid, and caring—perfect for readers who appreciate Rawi Hage's blend of dark humor and thoughtful reflections on personal history.
Hisham Matar writes beautifully crafted novels with a strong emotional center, often exploring themes of memory, loss, and political upheaval.
In his autobiographical work The Return, Matar recounts his journey to Libya in search of answers about his father's disappearance decades earlier under political captivity.
Like Hage, Matar portrays emotional truths amid political turmoil, resonating deeply with readers interested in personal narratives shaped by historical tensions.
Mohsin Hamid explores global themes of identity, displacement, and cultural tension in direct, graceful prose.
His novel Exit West centers on a young couple fleeing their increasingly violent homeland through mysterious doors that transport them to new countries around the globe.
Hamid's clear storytelling and thoughtful examination of migration and humanity echo the powerful themes often found in Rawi Hage’s narratives.
Teju Cole is a Nigerian-American author known for his thoughtful narratives that examine identity, cultural clashes, and the internal landscapes of his characters.
In his novel Open City, the protagonist, Julius, wanders through New York City, reflecting on history, memory, and personal isolation. Cole's writing is quiet yet deeply observant, similar to Rawi Hage’s thoughtful exploration of character and place.
Khaled Hosseini is an Afghan-American author whose emotionally powerful storytelling captures the human side of war, displacement, and familial relationships.
His acclaimed novel The Kite Runner vividly portrays complicated friendships and heart-wrenching betrayals set against Afghanistan’s tumultuous political backdrop.
Hosseini shares Hage’s skill in capturing the struggles and humanity of those caught in conflict, providing an absorbing reading experience.
Elif Shafak writes thoughtful novels that cross cultures and histories. Her writing often explores identity, feminism, and the blending of eastern and western societies.
In The Bastard of Istanbul, Shafak tells an engaging, multi-layered story about family secrets and cultural tensions between Armenians and Turks, weaving personal narratives into broader social issues.
Colum McCann crafts vivid stories filled with deep emotional resonance and interconnected lives. His novels often explore human connection and empathy across boundaries of class, nationality, and history.
In his remarkable novel, Let the Great World Spin, he takes us into a vibrant New York City of the 1970s, capturing how individual lives intertwine and affect one another.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novels offer honest, engaging portrayals of contemporary Nigerian life, identity, and the impact of history on the present. She often shifts between personal and political issues, shaping complex, realistic characters.
In her widely celebrated novel Half of a Yellow Sun, Adichie brings readers deep into Nigeria's civil war through the eyes of distinct, vivid characters, highlighting love, loss, and resilience.
Kamila Shamsie is skilled at merging the personal with political, often examining themes of identity, history, and displacement through memorable characters. Her narratives are clear and compelling, offering fresh perspectives on modern conflicts.
Home Fire explores identity, family bonds, and political tensions, reflecting on themes of loyalty, identity struggles, and the experience of Muslims living in Britain.
Han Kang writes quietly powerful novels that explore hidden emotions and the psychological realities beneath everyday life. Her prose feels poetic and precise, moving between beauty and discomfort.
In The Vegetarian, she tells the story of a woman's sudden decision to give up meat, setting off powerful consequences within her marriage and society, while unraveling deeper themes of personal freedom, control, and rebellion.
If you enjoy Rawi Hage's exploration of migration and identity, then Viet Thanh Nguyen might resonate with you. Nguyen's writing often examines the Vietnamese diaspora, feelings of belonging, and the complexity of memory and identity.
His novel The Sympathizer is sharp and witty, focusing on a Vietnamese double agent who grapples with loyalty, displacement, and the moral ambiguity that war can impose on an individual.
Ocean Vuong writes in a lyrical, poetic style that intimately captures identity, trauma, and the immigrant experience.
If you appreciate the emotional depth and perspective on displacement found in Rawi Hage, Ocean Vuong’s novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous could be a good match.
It's written as a letter from a son to his mother, poetically exploring family relationships, sexuality, and the challenges immigrants face between two cultures.
Yiyun Li writes subtly emotional stories that navigate personal loss, exile, and complex family dynamics. Fans of Rawi Hage's nuanced representations of complicated characters might enjoy Li's work. Her novel Where Reasons End is imaginative and poignant.
It presents an honest, personal conversation between a grieving mother and her deceased son, beautifully demonstrating the author's sensitivity in exploring deep emotional truths.
If you're drawn to Rawi Hage’s politically engaged stories exploring displacement and identity, Omar El Akkad's writing could pique your interest. El Akkad tackles timely themes like war, exile, and human resilience through meaningful storytelling.
In his novel American War, he imagines a future American conflict to explore how war shapes ordinary people. His clear, compelling style and timely themes provide deep reflections on the loss and fragmentation caused by conflict.
Madeleine Thien explores memory, personal history, and political upheaval with empathy and precision. Readers attracted to Rawi Hage's layered narratives might find Thien's quiet but powerful storytelling appealing.
Her novel Do Not Say We Have Nothing gracefully covers themes of family, art, revolution, and loss in the context of China's tumultuous 20th century history. Like Hage, Thien writes absorbing stories filled with rich characters who face displacement and the search for meaning.