If you enjoy reading books by Somerset Maugham then you might also like the following authors:
If you appreciate Somerset Maugham's exploration of human nature and moral complexity, you'll likely enjoy Graham Greene. His novels often focus on characters caught up in personal conflicts, grappling with themes of faith, guilt, and redemption.
In The Quiet American, Greene skilfully portrays political tension and moral ambiguity in Vietnam, offering sharp insights into human motives.
Fans of Maugham's wit and sharp portrayal of social hypocrisy might also find Evelyn Waugh appealing. Waugh is known for his satirical style and incisive commentary on British society and culture.
His novel Brideshead Revisited vividly captures the decline of the English aristocracy, exploring themes of nostalgia, religion, family ties, and personal tragedy.
Like Somerset Maugham, George Orwell writes clearly and insightfully about the world around him, with an emphasis on social critique and moral judgment.
Orwell's straightforward style and perceptive handling of power and corruption come through powerfully in his novel 1984, which depicts a dark, oppressive society and explores the struggle of maintaining individuality against authoritarian rule.
If you enjoy Maugham’s interest in colonial settings and psychological insight, Joseph Conrad is an excellent choice.
Conrad's novels focus strongly on human morality and inner conflict, often set within remote locations to examine power dynamics and the complexities of colonialism.
His novella Heart of Darkness vividly illustrates these themes with a tense journey up the Congo River that explores humanity's capacity for evil.
Readers who like Maugham's exotic locales and exploration of British colonial life will probably appreciate Rudyard Kipling.
Through clear storytelling and vivid settings, Kipling's works often examine imperial tensions, cross-cultural encounters, and moral dilemmas facing individuals in unfamiliar places.
His short-story collection The Jungle Book is a lively, imaginative exploration of adventure and personal growth, highlighting themes of community, courage, and identity.
If you like Somerset Maugham's careful exploration of human relationships and society, you'll probably enjoy E.M. Forster. Forster writes thoughtful novels looking closely at class divisions, personal connections, and moral choices.
In A Passage to India, he examines the tensions and misunderstandings between British and Indian cultures during colonial times, highlighting individual struggles within complex social expectations.
Noël Coward shares Maugham's clever wit and insightful social observations. His plays and stories often comment humorously and elegantly on British upper-class society, exposing its vanities and hypocrisies.
In the comedic play Private Lives, Coward presents sophisticated characters whose sharp dialogue reveals truths about romance, marriage, and human nature with brilliant wit.
Like Maugham, Aldous Huxley explores human nature and society's faults—but with a more philosophical and sometimes satirical perspective. In his famous novel Brave New World, Huxley imagines a future world ruled by technology, conditioning, and pleasure-seeking.
He raises questions about the value of individuality, happiness, and freedom, challenging readers to think about the consequences of sacrificing human complexities for utopian efficiency.
Dorothy Parker's stories and essays have the sort of sharp wit and subtle humor that fans of Maugham would recognize and enjoy. She keenly observes and exposes the ironies and pretensions in social interactions and relationships.
In her collection Enough Rope, Parker shows her skill at capturing the moods of loneliness, disappointment, and love—often in brief, smart, and unforgettable verses.
John O'Hara offers readers the sharp-eyed realism and careful character studies familiar to those who appreciate Maugham. He depicts the desires, ambitions, and limitations of ordinary people with clarity and honesty.
His novel Appointment in Samarra provides a close look at small-town society and personal downfall, highlighting how social pressures and individual choices can dramatically shape a person's fate.
If you're drawn to the sharp social observations and realistic characters of Somerset Maugham, you'll appreciate Sinclair Lewis. Lewis explores American society with clear-eyed directness, often critiquing social conventions and small-town pettiness.
His novel Main Street offers a vivid portrayal of small-town America, highlighting the struggles between individuality and oppressive conformity.
Readers who like the thoughtful perspectives and cultural insights found in Maugham's stories might enjoy H.G. Wells. Wells deconstructs society and human behavior through imaginative scenarios and speculative fiction.
Though he's known today for science fiction, his novel The History of Mr Polly focuses on ordinary life and personal fulfillment, exploring themes like self-discovery and middle-class dissatisfaction.
Like Maugham, Arnold Bennett excels at exploring the daily challenges and quiet dramas of life. Bennett's writing is precise and insightful, reflecting the realities of society and personal ambitions.
In his novel The Old Wives' Tale, Bennett depicts two sisters from youth to old age, capturing their struggles, changing fortunes, and the slow changes of society around them.
John Galsworthy shares Maugham's talent for realistic portrayals and insightful critiques of upper-class society. He examines family dynamics, ethical dilemmas, and the brittleness of social standing.
His notable series, The Forsyte Saga, follows several generations of an affluent family, revealing their secrets and emotional conflicts in careful detail.
Readers drawn to Somerset Maugham's deep understanding of human emotions and relationships will find plenty to enjoy in Stefan Zweig. Zweig's novels and stories explore psychological depth, complexities of love, obsession, and personal struggles.
His novella Chess Story captures intense human drama and shows how inner turmoil can emerge even in quiet, restrained situations.