If you enjoy reading books by Richard Flanagan then you might also like the following authors:
Tim Winton is an Australian author with a talent for capturing the raw beauty of the natural world and the struggles of ordinary people.
His novel “Cloudstreet” tells the story of two working-class families, the Lambs and the Pickles, who end up sharing a large, run-down house in Perth. The house almost feels alive, reflecting the joys and hardships these families face over two decades.
Winton weaves moments of humor and heartbreak into their lives, making their journeys unforgettable.
Peter Carey is an Australian author known for exploring the complexities of identity and history. His novel, “True History of the Kelly Gang,” tells the story of Ned Kelly, the infamous outlaw, through a series of letters written from his perspective.
The book paints a vivid picture of Kelly’s struggles against the authorities, his bond with his family, and the harsh realities of life in colonial Australia.
Carey uses Kelly’s voice to bring a unique rhythm to the story, leaving readers with a sense of what it might have been like to walk in his boots.
David Malouf is an Australian author known for thoughtful and lyrical storytelling. One of his books, “Ransom”, reimagines a moment from Homer’s “Iliad”. It explores the exchange between Priam, the Trojan king, and Achilles after the death of Hector.
Priam, driven by grief, journeys to Achilles’ camp to plead for his son’s body. The story focuses on the humanity of these two men and the deep emotions behind their actions. It’s a quiet but powerful look at loss and redemption.
Colm Tóibín is an Irish writer known for exploring quiet moments of human experience. In “Brooklyn,” he tells the story of Eilis Lacey, a young woman who leaves her small Irish town in the 1950s to build a new life in America.
The book follows her as she navigates homesickness, love, and the pull between two worlds. Tóibín captures Eilis’s journey with great care, showing both the challenges and unexpected joys of starting over in an unfamiliar place.
Sebastian Faulks is an author known for exploring human experiences during intense periods of history. His novel, “Birdsong,” tells the story of Stephen Wraysford, a young Englishman who experiences love in France before being thrust into the horrors of World War I.
The book moves between his haunting memories of a forbidden affair and the brutal realities of life in the trenches. Faulks captures the depth of emotion and resilience in characters shaped by love and loss.
Kate Grenville is an Australian author known for her rich storytelling and focus on history. Her book “The Secret River” tells the story of William Thornhill, a convict sent to Australia in the early 1800s.
He tries to build a new life by claiming land along the Hawkesbury River, but his actions bring him into conflict with the Aboriginal people who already live there. The book explores the clash between cultures and the choices people make when survival is at stake.
It’s a powerful story that stays with you.
Michael Ondaatje is a writer known for crafting stories filled with rich detail and poetic language. One of his most celebrated books, “The English Patient,” is set during the final days of World War II.
It focuses on a burned and mysterious man cared for in an abandoned Italian villa. His nurse, along with two other residents of the villa, becomes tied to his story as pieces of his past emerge.
The novel moves through themes of love, war, and identity, painted through the lives of these interconnected characters.
Helen Garner is an Australian author known for examining ordinary lives and moral complexities with honesty and sharp detail. Her book “Joe Cinque’s Consolation” is based on a true story.
It follows the events surrounding a young man, Joe Cinque, whose girlfriend, Anu Singh, planned his murder while their friends did little to stop her. The book isn’t a crime thriller—it focuses on the aftermath, the court cases, and the emotions of those involved.
Garner explores the human side of the tragedy, taking readers inside courtrooms and homes where the weight of blame and loss lingers. It’s thoughtful and haunting, perfect for readers who value rich storytelling.
Patrick White was an Australian writer whose work often explored human struggles and the complexity of relationships. His novel “The Tree of Man” follows the life of Stan and Amy Parker, a couple who build a farm and home in the Australian bush.
The story takes you through their joys, hardships, and quiet moments, reflecting the rhythms of life in a remote setting. White’s descriptions of the landscape and his focus on ordinary people can draw you in with their vivid simplicity.
Fans of Richard Flanagan might enjoy the way White deeply connects his characters to the land around them.
Kazuo Ishiguro is a British writer known for exploring memory, loss, and the passage of time in quiet, poignant ways. One of his novels, “The Remains of the Day,” follows Stevens, a butler who reflects on his life and service to a once-prominent estate.
As he journeys to visit a former colleague, his memories uncover the sacrifices he made for duty, including missed chances at love. The story is set in post-war England, and Stevens’s measured voice reveals deep cracks beneath his devotion to his employer.
The subtle tension and understated drama feel rich without being overwhelming.
Arundhati Roy is an Indian author known for her deep storytelling and unique voice. Her novel “The God of Small Things” tells the story of a pair of twins, Estha and Rahel, as they navigate childhood in a small village in Kerala.
The book explores how one tragic event shapes their family and future. It’s filled with vivid characters, cultural richness, and an unforgettable sense of place, making it a worthwhile read for anyone who appreciates emotionally rich narratives.
Geraldine Brooks is an author who brings history to life through vivid storytelling. One of her standout books, “March,” reimagines the story of the absent father from Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.”
It follows him as he leaves his family to serve as a chaplain during the Civil War. The novel delves into his experiences on the battlefield and the people he encounters, showing the personal cost of war and his struggles with his ideals and actions.
Brooks creates a rich backdrop for these events, exploring themes of love, loss, and moral conflict.
Annie Proulx is an author known for creating vivid landscapes and complex characters. Her novel “The Shipping News” tells the story of Quoyle, a struggling journalist who moves to Newfoundland with his daughters after personal losses.
In this rugged coastal setting, he begins uncovering his family’s history and building a new life. The story is rich with the harsh beauty of Newfoundland and explores themes of resilience and belonging.
J.M. Coetzee is an author who writes with precision and deep insight into human nature. One of his standout novels is “Disgrace.” The story follows David Lurie, a professor who loses his job after an affair with a student.
He retreats to his daughter’s farm in post-apartheid South Africa, where a violent attack forces him to confront his own failures and the shifting social landscape around him.
The novel explores themes of power, guilt, and redemption through intense personal struggle, set against a backdrop of social change. Coetzee’s writing captures the characters’ emotions with clarity and gives the story an unforgettable weight.
Margaret Atwood is an author known for crafting stories that explore human nature and societal structures. Her novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” tells the story of Offred, a woman living in a theocratic dictatorship where women are stripped of their rights.
Offred is forced to serve as a Handmaid, valued only for her ability to bear children. The book captures her struggle for identity and freedom in a world that feels unsettlingly real.
Atwood’s storytelling combines sharp, vivid detail with a strong sense of atmosphere, drawing you into Offred’s life.