If you enjoy reading novels by William Faulkner then you might also like the following authors:
Flannery O’Connor was a Southern writer known for stories with dark humor, complex characters, and themes rooted in religion and morality.
Her novel, “Wise Blood,” follows Hazel Motes, a disillusioned war veteran who arrives in a small Southern town and starts a bizarre church that rejects traditional beliefs.
Along the way, he crosses paths with strange and flawed characters, including a blind preacher and his daughter. The story is full of sharp dialogue, moments of irony, and a sense of tension that keeps you turning the pages.
Fans of William Faulkner may enjoy O’Connor’s focus on Southern life and human struggles.
Toni Morrison writes stories that dig deep into the lives of her characters, showing the weight of history and personal trauma.
One of her most powerful books, “Beloved,” focuses on Sethe, a woman who has escaped slavery but is haunted by her past and the ghost of her dead child. It’s raw and emotional, showing how the scars of slavery linger long after freedom is gained.
The story explores guilt, memory, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child. Morrison’s writing creates a world that feels real and unforgettable, perfect for readers who enjoy the richness and depth found in William Faulkner’s work.
Cormac McCarthy is an author known for his deep and dark storytelling, often exploring themes of violence, survival, and the human condition.
His book “Blood Meridian” takes place in the 1850s and follows a nameless boy, referred to as “the kid,” as he joins a brutal gang of scalp hunters in the American West.
The story paints a bleak and harrowing picture of the frontier, with characters like Judge Holden, a fearless and mysterious man who is both charismatic and terrifying. The prose is stark and raw, making the violence and the wilderness feel uncomfortably real.
McCarthy’s style might remind readers of Faulkner because of the attention to humanity’s raw and conflicted nature.
Zora Neale Hurston was an African American writer who captured the voices and lives of her characters with vivid, lyrical prose.
Her novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God” tells the story of Janie Crawford, a woman in early 20th-century Florida who embarks on a journey of self-discovery through love and heartbreak.
The book follows Janie through her three marriages and explores deep connections to identity, relationships, and independence. Hurston’s writing celebrates the richness of African American culture and brings her characters’ world to life with bold, unforgettable detail.
Eudora Welty was a Southern writer known for her deep connection to the culture and landscapes of Mississippi. Her novel “The Optimist’s Daughter” is a quiet and powerful story about grief, memory, and the bonds between parents and children.
It follows Laurel, a woman who returns to her Mississippi hometown after her father becomes seriously ill. As she confronts her father’s death and the presence of his shallow second wife, she begins to unravel pieces of her family’s past.
The emotions are raw, and the small details of Southern life give the story a sense of place that might remind readers of William Faulkner’s work.
Carson McCullers was an American writer known for exploring themes of loneliness and human connection in small Southern towns. Her novel, “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter,” focuses on a deaf-mute man named John Singer, who becomes a confidant for a group of misfit characters.
Each of them struggles with their own personal dreams and disillusionments, and their lives intersect in unexpected ways. The story paints a vivid picture of a community filled with sorrow, hope, and quiet desperation, giving a voice to those who feel out of place.
Erskine Caldwell was an American author known for writing about the struggles of poor families in the rural South. His novel, “Tobacco Road,” paints a vivid picture of a Georgia family on the brink of ruin during the Great Depression.
The story focuses on the Lesters, a tenant farming family fighting to survive after losing their land. Jeeter Lester dreams of planting a new crop of tobacco, but his laziness and stubbornness keep him trapped in poverty.
The mix of dark humor and tragic moments captures the harsh realities of life in that era, making it a raw and unfiltered portrayal of desperation and survival. Fans of William Faulkner’s Southern settings and themes may find Caldwell’s work appealing.
James Agee was an American writer who brought a raw and emotional depth to his work. His novel, “A Death in the Family,” captures the fallout of a sudden tragedy in a small Tennessee town.
The story follows a young boy dealing with the loss of his father and the way grief ripples through his family. The writing paints a vivid picture of Southern life, with its complex relationships and unspoken struggles.
Agee’s ability to portray deep emotions and the fragile nature of human connections might remind readers of William Faulkner’s exploration of Southern identity and family bonds.
Thomas Wolfe wrote with a rich, expansive style that paints vivid pictures of American life and the struggles of individuals searching for meaning and belonging. His novel “Look Homeward, Angel” tells the story of Eugene Gant, a young man growing up in a small Southern town.
The book explores his family dynamics, his father’s stonecutting craft, and his desperate desire to escape the confines of his upbringing. Wolfe captures the deep emotions and frustrations of youth, including the yearning for freedom and the pull of home.
Fans of William Faulkner might appreciate the way Wolfe builds a world filled with flawed, deeply human characters.
John Steinbeck often wrote about human struggles and the ties between people and the land. In his novel “East of Eden,” he tells a multigenerational story set in California’s Salinas Valley.
The book follows two families and explores themes of jealousy, betrayal, and the choices that shape lives. At its heart is the story of siblings caught in cycles of rivalry, with echoes of the biblical tale of Cain and Abel.
Steinbeck creates rich characters who are flawed but deeply human, drawing readers into their joys and heartbreaks.
Katherine Anne Porter was a writer known for capturing the complexity of human emotions and relationships. One of her most well-known works is “Ship of Fools.” The novel takes place aboard a German passenger ship traveling from Mexico to Europe in the 1930s.
It follows a group of passengers from different walks of life, exploring their interactions and personal struggles. The characters range from an embittered doctor to a young artist, each one revealing their fears, desires, and flaws.
The ship itself becomes a kind of microcosm of the world, filled with tension and shifting dynamics that hint at the larger turmoil outside its walls.
Walker Percy was a Southern writer who explored themes like identity, faith, and the struggles of modern life.
His novel, “The Moviegoer,” follows Binx Bolling, a disenchanted stockbroker from New Orleans who spends his days watching movies and avoiding deeper connections in life.
The story takes place during Mardi Gras and feels rooted in the southern setting, with its colorful yet melancholic atmosphere.
Binx’s search for meaning is both ordinary and strange, drawing readers into his quiet quest as he tries to figure out how to live authentically in a world that often feels hollow. If you enjoy stories soaked in atmosphere and quiet contemplation, this book offers both.
Richard Wright was a groundbreaking writer who explored the struggles of African Americans in the early 20th century.
His novel “Native Son” follows Bigger Thomas, a young Black man in Chicago who gets caught in a terrible chain of events after he takes a job with a wealthy white family.
The story dives into the racial tensions and fear that shape Bigger’s world, showing how systemic inequality sets the stage for tragedy.
Wright paints a vivid, grim picture of urban life that feels raw and real, making you understand the pressures and choices his characters face.
Ralph Ellison is an author known for exploring identity and society with sharp insight. His novel, “Invisible Man,” tells the story of an unnamed Black narrator trying to find his place in a world that refuses to truly see him.
The book follows his journey from the South to Harlem, where he experiences betrayal, disillusionment, and moments of clarity while grappling with race and individuality.
One memorable part involves the narrator joining a group called the Brotherhood, where his ideals collide with their hidden motives. Fans of William Faulkner may appreciate Ellison’s layered storytelling and how he captures the complexities of human experience.
Sherwood Anderson was an American author known for his focus on small-town life and the complexity of everyday people. His book, “Winesburg, Ohio,” is a series of connected short stories set in a fictional Midwestern town.
The stories paint vivid portraits of the town’s inhabitants, who often wrestle with loneliness, longing, or quiet despair. One story, for example, follows a young writer named George Willard, who begins to see the hidden frustrations and dreams of those around him.
Anderson captures the quiet struggles of life with a kind of honesty that feels familiar and powerful.