If you enjoy reading novels by Saul Bellow then you might also like the following authors:
Philip Roth was an American author who explored themes of identity, family, and the search for meaning in modern life. If you enjoy Saul Bellow’s work, you might like Roth’s novel “American Pastoral.”
It tells the story of Seymour “Swede” Levov, a successful businessman whose seemingly perfect life begins to fall apart when his daughter becomes involved in a violent political movement during the 1960s.
The book dives into the personal cost of political and social upheaval, showing how one family’s struggles mirror larger societal fractures. Roth paints a vivid picture of postwar America and the chaos that shakes its foundations.
John Updike was an American writer known for exploring everyday life in small-town America. His novel, “Rabbit, Run,” tells the story of Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom, a former high school basketball star who feels trapped in his adult life.
Frustrated with his job and marriage, he impulsively walks out, trying to find meaning and freedom. The book doesn’t shy away from Harry’s flaws, offering a raw and honest look at how people wrestle with dissatisfaction and regret.
Fans of Saul Bellow’s deep, character-driven stories may find Updike’s work equally engaging.
Bernard Malamud was an author known for exploring the struggles and resilience of ordinary people. His novel “The Assistant” focuses on the life of Morris Bober, a Jewish grocer in Brooklyn, who runs a failing store with little hope of turning things around.
One day, a drifter named Frank Alpine arrives, offering to help in the store after a recent robbery. Frank has a complicated past but becomes deeply entangled in the lives of Morris and his family.
The story dives into themes of guilt, redemption, and the ways people can change—for better or worse. If you enjoy Saul Bellow’s focus on identity and human flaws, Malamud might be a great fit.
Ralph Ellison is an author who explores deep questions about identity and society. His novel, “Invisible Man,” tells the story of a young Black man navigating life in America.
The narrator recounts his journey from the South to Harlem, where he struggles with the expectations and betrayals of various groups that claim to represent his interests. The book dives into his attempts to define himself in a world that constantly tries to define him for him.
Ellison’s writing balances sharp social insight with a narrative that feels personal and vivid. If you’re drawn to works like Saul Bellow’s that tackle the complexities of individual experience in a turbulent world, Ellison’s work may resonate with you.
Norman Mailer was an American writer known for blending fiction with real-world events. One of his most notable books is “The Naked and the Dead,” a gritty novel about soldiers during World War II.
The story follows a platoon on a dangerous mission in the Pacific, showing the struggles and fears of the men as they face both the enemy and their own weaknesses. Mailer dives deep into their personal lives and relationships, giving the reader a raw look at the cost of war.
The characters feel deeply human, with their flaws and desires laid bare. If you enjoy stories with intense focus on human nature, this book might capture your interest.
Don DeLillo is a writer known for exploring modern life and the way people connect—or fail to connect—in a confusing, ever-changing world. His novel “White Noise” tells the story of a professor named Jack Gladney, who teaches at a small Midwestern college.
Jack specializes in Hitler studies, but he’s not as confident and in control as he seems. The book follows his family and their lives after a strange chemical event forces their town to evacuate.
It’s both funny and unsettling, with sharp dialogue and moments that feel oddly real. The way the story shows the everyday fears of death, family, and technology makes it hard to put down.
Vladimir Nabokov was a writer who had a gift for combining sharp insight with rich, vibrant storytelling. His novel “Pale Fire” is a fascinating blend of poetry, mystery, and drama.
The story revolves around a 999-line poem written by a fictional poet, John Shade, and an eccentric scholar, Charles Kinbote, who provides a wild and unreliable commentary.
Through Kinbote’s strange and obsessive notes, the book slowly reveals layers of truth, obsession, and hidden connections. Nabokov’s writing is full of clever language and unexpected twists that keep the reader engaged.
Richard Ford is an American author known for his thoughtful and honest exploration of ordinary lives. One of his books, “The Sportswriter,” introduces Frank Bascombe, a man who gave up a promising literary career to write for a sports magazine.
The story follows Frank over the course of an Easter weekend as he reflects on his divorce, his son’s death, and his attempts to navigate fragile relationships. The book captures the quiet struggles and moments of clarity in day-to-day life.
Ford’s writing often focuses on characters trying to find meaning in the small details of their existence. Fans of Saul Bellow might enjoy how Ford dives into the inner world of his characters.
Joseph Heller is known for his sharp wit and dark humor, often mixing absurdity with the grim realities of life. His most famous novel, “Catch-22,” is set during World War II and follows Captain John Yossarian, a bombardier trapped in a maddening bureaucracy.
The term “Catch-22” comes from a military rule in the book, where pilots can be grounded if they’re insane, but asking to be grounded proves they’re sane enough to fly.
Yossarian’s desperate attempts to escape the endless cycles of war and logic reflect both the horror and ridiculousness of his world. The book offers unforgettable characters and absurd situations that make it hard to put down.
William Faulkner is an author known for creating rich, layered stories about the American South. His novel, “As I Lay Dying,” tells the story of the Bundren family as they travel across Mississippi to bury their mother, Addie.
Each chapter switches between the perspectives of different family members, revealing their struggles, secrets, and conflicts. The characters are rough around the edges and unforgettable.
From a brother who loses control of a coffin in a river to another building a makeshift cast for a broken leg, the story shows the lengths people go to for family and how personal motives can shape every choice. It’s a mix of humor, sorrow, and complexity.
Jonathan Franzen writes about family, relationships, and the messy lives people navigate. His book “The Corrections” focuses on the Lambert family, where each member is dealing with their own struggles and disappointments.
Enid, the mother, wants to bring her children back home for one last Christmas together. Alfred, her husband, is battling health problems and a fading sense of control. Their three adult children are caught up in their own personal crises.
The story peels back their lives and shows how their choices and regrets shape who they are. It has moments that feel deeply human and very real.
Thomas Pynchon is known for his complex and often mysterious novels. One of his standout works is “The Crying of Lot 49”. In this book, Oedipa Maas finds herself named the executor of a former lover’s estate.
What starts as a seemingly routine task draws her into uncovering a secret organization called Tristero. Along the way, she encounters strange symbols, shadowy figures, and bizarre coincidences.
The story weaves through themes of communication, paranoia, and hidden connections in modern life. It’s a puzzling but fascinating journey that keeps you curious about what’s really at play.
James Joyce was an Irish author known for his unique way of writing and his ability to capture the complexity of everyday life. One of his most famous books, “Dubliners,” is a collection of short stories set in Dublin.
The stories focus on ordinary people struggling with moments of realization, disappointment, or change.
In “The Dead,” one of the most powerful stories in the collection, Gabriel Conroy attends a dinner party, where small conversations and quiet moments lead him to confront his own identity and the way he understands love and loss.
The writing is vivid, pulling you into the lives of the characters in a way that feels personal. It’s a great read if you enjoy thought-provoking exploration of human emotions.
Joyce Carol Oates is an author known for writing stories that dig deeply into the lives of her characters, exploring themes like family, identity, and the darker sides of human nature.
Her novel “We Were the Mulvaneys” tells the story of a close-knit family in upstate New York whose lives begin to unravel after a traumatic event involving their daughter.
The book follows each family member as they cope in their own ways, showing how a single event can leave lasting marks on relationships and identities.
Oates has a way of making you feel immersed in her characters’ worlds, and this book captures both their heartbreak and resilience.
Iris Murdoch creates stories filled with sharp observations about human relationships and the messy, unpredictable ways people interact. If you like Saul Bellow’s focus on flawed but intelligent characters, you might enjoy Murdoch’s work.
Her novel “The Sea, The Sea” explores obsession and self-deception through the life of a retired theater director. “Under the Net” mixes wit and philosophy as it follows a struggling writer caught in strange situations.
Murdoch’s characters, like Bellow’s, often wrestle with deep questions about life and morality.