If you enjoy reading books by Siri Hustvedt then you might also like the following authors:
Rachel Cusk is an author known for her unique approach to storytelling, often exploring the layers of human relationships and identity. Her book “Outline” follows a writer named Faye, who travels to Greece to teach a writing course.
The story unfolds through conversations she has with the people she meets, revealing their lives, thoughts, and struggles. It’s not a conventional plot-driven book, but the glimpses into these characters’ minds keep it deeply engaging.
Olga Tokarczuk is a Polish author known for her thoughtful and imaginative storytelling.
One of her most intriguing books, “Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead,” follows Janina, an eccentric woman in a remote Polish village, who becomes obsessed with mysterious deaths in the area.
She spends her days translating William Blake and tracking patterns in nature, all while questioning the morality of those around her. The story blends mystery with reflections on humanity’s place in the natural world, creating a vivid and unusual narrative.
If you enjoy deep character studies and stories that weave personal obsessions into broader themes, this book might catch your interest.
Elena Ferrante is an Italian author known for capturing the deep bonds and tensions in relationships. Her novel “My Brilliant Friend” begins the story of Elena and Lila, two girls growing up in a working-class neighborhood in Naples.
Their friendship is filled with rivalry, loyalty, and moments of betrayal. The book paints vivid scenes of their lives, showing how their choices and circumstances shape the paths they take, all under the shadow of their turbulent surroundings.
Jeanette Winterson is a British writer known for blending deep emotion with inventive storytelling. Her novel “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit” is a semi-autobiographical story about a young girl named Jeanette, raised in a strict Pentecostal household.
As she grows older, she begins to question the beliefs of her adoptive mother and struggles with her own identity and sexuality. The book explores her journey toward self-acceptance while showing the tension between personal truth and religious dogma.
It’s a bold and memorable story.
Nicole Krauss writes stories that explore profound connections and the passage of time. Her book “The History of Love” weaves together the lives of several characters brought together by a mysterious manuscript.
The story begins with Leo Gursky, an elderly man in New York who once wrote a book for the woman he loved. His quiet life intersects with a young girl named Alma, who is on a quest tied to this very manuscript.
The book creates a sense of longing without ever feeling overwrought and leaves you curious about how it all comes together.
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author who writes stories that explore human behavior and society in ways that feel sharp and thought-provoking. One of her well-known books, “The Blind Assassin,” is about two sisters, Iris and Laura.
The story begins with the death of Laura, which is ruled a suicide, but as Iris reflects on their lives, deeper secrets begin to unfold. There’s also a novel within the novel, written by Laura, about a doomed love affair told against the backdrop of a sci-fi world.
The layers of the book reveal hidden truths about family ties and betrayals, while keeping you hooked on what really happened.
Jhumpa Lahiri is an author who writes stories that explore family, identity, and belonging. Her book “The Namesake” follows Gogol Ganguli, an Indian-American man navigating life as he grows up in the United States with immigrant parents.
The story shifts between his parents’ traditional values and his own experiences, showing how he struggles with his unique name and the weight of his heritage. Lahiri paints vivid portraits of her characters’ lives, taking readers into their worlds with care and detail.
Ali Smith is a Scottish author who writes with a creative and unique voice.
Her book “How to Be Both” plays with time and perspective, splitting the story between a 15th-century fresco painter named Francesco and a modern-day teenager named George, who is dealing with the loss of her mother.
The two stories connect in unexpected ways, exploring themes like art, love, and identity. Smith’s storytelling has a way of feeling both deeply personal and intriguingly layered, making her work stand out.
Rebecca Solnit is an author who writes about society, culture, and personal experiences in a way that feels both thoughtful and relatable.
In her book “A Field Guide to Getting Lost,” she explores the idea of being lost, not just physically, but in life and in moments of transformation.
She weaves together stories about artists, explorers, and her own life, showing how uncertainty and the unknown can lead to discovery. The book has a quiet, reflective feel that stays with you.
Marilynne Robinson is an author known for her thoughtful and deeply human stories. Her novel “Gilead” is written as a letter from an elderly pastor, John Ames, to his young son. Ames reflects on his life, his faith, and his family’s history.
The story is set in a small Iowa town in the 1950s. One of the most moving parts of the book is when Ames remembers his own father and grandfather, whose beliefs and choices shaped him in very different ways.
It’s a quiet, reflective book, but the relationships and personal struggles feel very real. If you enjoy stories that explore inner lives with care and honesty, this might be one that resonates with you.
Zadie Smith is a British writer known for her sharp observations about relationships, identity, and culture. Her novel “On Beauty” tells the story of two families, the Belseys and the Kippses, who are deeply different yet become connected in unexpected ways.
The book explores marriage, academic life, and the struggles between personal beliefs and family bonds. With characters full of flaws and humor, Smith creates a vivid picture of human connections that feels real and layered.
Elizabeth Strout writes stories that explore the quiet moments and complex connections in small-town life. In her book “Olive Kitteridge,” she introduces Olive, a retired schoolteacher who is blunt and often difficult but deeply human.
The book is a series of stories set in a coastal Maine town, all tied to Olive in some way. One moment, she’s watching her son struggle in his marriage. Another moment, she’s witnessing the secrets of neighbors unravel.
The lives feel raw and real, making you want to linger in their world.
Deborah Levy is an author known for her unique voice and thought-provoking narratives. Her novel “Hot Milk” follows Sofia, a young woman traveling to Spain with her mother, Rose, who suffers from a mysterious illness.
As they visit a peculiar seaside clinic, the story explores the complexities of their mother-daughter relationship and the search for independence. Levy’s writing captures the tension between duty and self-discovery in a way that feels vivid and personal.
Anne Enright is an Irish author known for her deep and emotionally nuanced stories. Her novel, “The Gathering,” tells the story of a large Irish family reuniting after the death of one of the siblings.
At the center is Veronica, who slowly unravels the hidden moments and painful secrets that shaped her family. The book explores memory, loss, and the bonds between brothers and sisters, all with a sharp and honest voice that stays with you.
Jenny Offill is an author known for her sharp and fragmented writing style that captures the chaos of modern life. Her novel, “Dept. of Speculation,” tells the story of a marriage from its hopeful beginnings through moments of strain and uncertainty.
The narrator reflects on love, parenthood, and her own identity, weaving in thoughts about science, art, and the universe. The structure of the book feels intimate and raw, with short, vivid pieces coming together to form a larger picture of a life.