If you enjoy reading novels by T.S. Eliot then you might also like the following authors:
Ezra Pound was an influential poet and a key figure in modernist literature, a movement that T.S. Eliot was also part of. One of Pound’s notable works is “The Cantos,” an ambitious and fragmented poem that spans numerous themes and draws from many cultures.
It weaves in elements of history, economics, and mythology. The first few cantos reference Homer and Odysseus’ journey, while later sections touch on controversial politics and personal reflections.
It’s a dense and challenging read, but it offers moments of beauty and insight that stay with you long after you’ve finished.
Virginia Woolf was a modernist writer known for her unique narrative style and deep explorations of human thought.
Her book “Mrs. Dalloway” follows a single day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, a woman in post-World War I London preparing for a party she is hosting that evening.
Through the story, Woolf shifts between Clarissa’s reflections and the inner lives of other characters, weaving a rich portrait of personal struggles, relationships, and memories.
The novel captures the fleeting moments of life and how they reflect larger questions of time, identity, and purpose.
James Joyce was an Irish author known for his innovative storytelling and rich use of language. One of his most famous books, “Ulysses,” takes place over the course of a single day in Dublin.
It follows Leopold Bloom as he goes about his life, encountering strangers, reflecting on his memories, and navigating the emotions tied to his marriage.
The book mirrors Homer’s “The Odyssey” in structure, but it’s set in the modern world and digs into the thoughts and experiences of its characters in a very intimate way. Joyce’s writing captures the rhythms of everyday life while still making it feel unique and meaningful.
W.H. Auden was a poet known for exploring themes of love, politics, and human struggles in a direct and thought-provoking way. Fans of T.S. Eliot might enjoy his long poem “The Age of Anxiety,” which captures the restlessness and disconnection of the modern world.
The story follows four strangers who meet in a bar and share their fears and hopes in a single night. Through their conversations, Auden explores the anxieties of the mid-20th century in a way that feels personal and timeless.
His writing has a rhythm and clarity that draws you into the characters’ emotions and thoughts.
Wallace Stevens was a poet known for exploring the relationship between imagination and reality in his work. His collection “Harmonium” is packed with poems that mix lush imagery, philosophical musings, and a touch of playfulness.
One standout piece is “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” where Stevens presents snapshots of a blackbird through different lenses, making readers question how we see the world.
His focus on symbolism and layered meanings might remind you of T.S. Eliot’s poetry, though Stevens often feels more playful in his approach.
William Carlos Williams was an American poet and writer who focused on ordinary moments and everyday life, turning them into something unforgettable.
One of his most well-known works, “Paterson,” is a long poem that explores the life, history, and natural beauty of the city of Paterson, New Jersey. The poem weaves together the voice of the city with personal experiences and reflections.
It looks at connections between people and places, showing how the small details of life hold larger meanings. Fans of T.S. Eliot’s ability to blend modern life with poetic depth might enjoy how Williams creates a vivid and personal portrait of an American city.
D.H. Lawrence is a writer known for exploring deep emotions and relationships. One of his most notable works, “Sons and Lovers,” tells the story of Paul Morel, a young artist torn between his connection to his mother and his romantic relationships.
The book looks closely at family dynamics and personal struggles. It’s set in a small mining town, where Paul’s parents have a strained marriage, and his mother places all her hopes on her son.
The story gives a vivid sense of place and digs into the realities of working-class life while showing Paul’s growth and conflicts. Lawrence’s writing captures emotion and human vulnerability in a way that feels very real.
Gertrude Stein was an American writer who played with language in ways that can feel both strange and exciting, similar to T.S. Eliot’s approach to poetry. Her book “Three Lives” tells the stories of three working-class women living in a small American town.
It’s written in a way that focuses on the rhythms of their speech and thoughts, creating a hypnotic effect. The second story, about a German maid named Melanctha, explores her relationships and struggles, making her feel raw and real.
Stein’s style pulls you into the inner world of her characters, making their lives feel close and vivid.
Robert Frost was an American poet known for capturing rural life and human emotions in direct and vivid ways. His poetry often explores nature, choices, and the human experience.
In his collection “North of Boston,” Frost writes narratives that feel grounded and familiar, like the dramatic tension in “The Death of the Hired Man,” where a couple discusses whether to take back a former worker who left them during a crucial moment.
His work reflects on the depth of small moments, with themes that feel reflective without being distant. If you enjoy how T.S. Eliot weaves meaning into everyday life, Frost’s way of making ordinary moments feel profound might speak to you.
Hart Crane was a poet known for his ambitious and lyrical exploration of modern life. His collection, “The Bridge,” stands out as a bold attempt to create a unifying vision of America.
The poems weave together themes of history, progress, and spirituality, using the Brooklyn Bridge as a central symbol of connection. In one section, Crane envisions Columbus’s journey as part of a larger story about human discovery and ambition.
Another focuses on jazz, capturing the energy and rhythm of the 20th century. Crane’s language is dense and musical, inviting readers to experience the world through vivid and unexpected imagery.
Fans of T.S. Eliot’s layered and allusive writing may find Crane equally fascinating.
Samuel Beckett was an Irish writer known for concise, powerful works that explore themes like isolation and the absurdity of life. His play “Waiting for Godot” is often considered one of the most influential works of modern literature.
It features two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, as they pass the time waiting for a man named Godot, who never arrives. The story focuses on their conversations and actions, which highlight existential questions and the repetitive nature of life.
The stripped-down simplicity of the setting and dialogue creates a haunting yet strangely relatable atmosphere.
Rainer Maria Rilke was a poet and writer known for his deep exploration of the human condition. One of his most famous works, “Letters to a Young Poet,” is a series of letters he wrote to a young man seeking guidance on becoming a writer.
The letters go beyond advice, touching on themes like solitude, love, and finding purpose. Rilke’s reflections invite the reader to think about art and life in a more personal and meaningful way.
If you enjoy how T.S. Eliot blends introspection and profound questions about existence, Rilke might resonate with you.
E.E. Cummings was a poet and author known for his unconventional style and creative use of language. One of his notable works, “The Enormous Room,” is an autobiographical novel based on his experiences during World War I.
The story follows his time in a French detention camp after being arrested on questionable charges. Through his vivid descriptions of the camp and the eccentric personalities of his fellow prisoners, Cummings explores humanity under harsh conditions.
The book combines humor and reflection while offering a unique perspective on resilience and individuality. Fans of T.S. Eliot might enjoy Cummings for his inventive approach to storytelling and language.
Jorge Luis Borges was an Argentine writer known for his imaginative and intellectual stories that explore themes of time, identity, and infinity. If you enjoy the layered complexity of T.S. Eliot’s poetry, you might appreciate Borges’ “Ficciones.”
This book is a collection of short stories, each with its own puzzle-like structure. One story, “The Library of Babel,” describes an infinite library filled with every possible book, where librarians search for meaning in chaos.
Another, “The Garden of Forking Paths,” presents a spy who discovers a novel that works as a labyrinth, showing how all possible outcomes of a moment might coexist. Borges’ work captures the sense of mystery and interconnectedness you’d find in Eliot’s writing.
Sylvia Plath is known for her emotional and vivid writing style that explores themes of identity, mental health, and the struggles of modern life. Her novel, “The Bell Jar,” follows Esther Greenwood, a young woman who wins a prestigious summer internship at a New York magazine.
At first, her life seems glamorous, but she begins to feel disconnected and trapped, as though she’s under a stifling bell jar. The book deeply examines her descent into depression and her search for meaning in a world that feels harsh and unrelenting.
Plath’s sharp descriptions and ability to capture raw emotion make her work unforgettable.