If you enjoy reading novels by William Kennedy then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoy William Kennedy’s blend of historical fiction, rich characters, and vivid storytelling may also appreciate E.L. Doctorow. Doctorow has a talent for portraying deeply human stories set against significant historical events.
His novel “Ragtime” especially stands out. Set in early 20th-century New York City, it weaves together the lives of fictional characters with historical figures like Harry Houdini, Emma Goldman, and J.P. Morgan.
Through these intertwined narratives, Doctorow brings to life the social tensions and transformations of America during this fascinating, turbulent period.
Toni Morrison Toni Morrison is an American novelist who explores deep themes of identity, family history, and the haunting impact of the past. Her stories unfold with sharp dialogue and rich emotional detail, a style readers of William Kennedy will appreciate.
In her novel “Beloved,” Morrison tells the chilling yet deeply moving tale of Sethe, a woman who escapes slavery but cannot free herself from memories of her past.
Set years after Sethe’s dramatic journey to freedom, the story reveals how a mysterious young woman named Beloved disrupts Sethe’s household, forcing each character to face their deepest fears and buried secrets.
Morrison’s writing captures pain and tenderness with the same skillful grace, creating a powerful story hard to forget.
Colum McCann is an Irish author known for authentic and vivid storytelling that often explores characters on the margins of society. Readers who enjoy William Kennedy’s rich exploration of human courage and resilience will appreciate McCann’s novel “Let the Great World Spin.”
Set in New York City during the 1970s, this book revolves around a daring high-wire stunt between the Twin Towers.
Through various intersecting stories, McCann beautifully captures the struggles and poignant experiences of ordinary people from diverse walks of life, bringing out their humanity and hidden connections amid chaos and change.
If you enjoy William Kennedy’s colorful depiction of history, place, and layered characters, Don DeLillo is an author worth trying. He captures modern American life and culture through dark comedy, satire, and sharp insights.
A great introduction to his work is “White Noise”, a novel that follows Jack Gladney, a professor who specializes in “Hitler Studies.” Jack’s ordinary suburban life is suddenly disrupted by a chemical accident known as the Airborne Toxic Event.
This forces him and his family to confront their obsessions with death, technology, and consumer culture. DeLillo crafts a memorable satire of contemporary America, exploring how we deal with uncertainty and paranoia in everyday life.
If you enjoy William Kennedy’s vivid stories of American towns and flawed yet fascinating characters, you might also like Richard Russo. Russo writes novels filled with rich humor and authentic portrayals of working-class life in small-town America.
His novel “Nobody’s Fool” revolves around Donald “Sully” Sullivan, a charming but down-on-his-luck older man who never quite grew up.
Set in the fictional town of North Bath, New York, this is a warm, funny, and often bittersweet look at ambition, family, and unexpected friendship.
Russo draws readers into Sully’s world filled with quirky small-town eccentrics, plenty of laughs, and heartfelt moments along the way.
If William Kennedy’s Albany stories resonate with you, Russo’s engaging portrait of North Bath and its unforgettable residents will likely captivate you too.
Pete Hamill offers readers vivid portraits of New York City through his journalism and novels. He captures the city’s streets and inhabitants with realistic dialogue and deep humanity, a style reminiscent of William Kennedy.
His novel “Forever” tells the tale of Cormac O’Connor, an Irish immigrant who receives the gift—and curse—of immortality in 18th-century Manhattan.
Through Cormac’s eyes, readers experience New York’s transformation over centuries, from revolutionary battles to bustling modern city streets. Hamill explores themes of memory, loss, and love against the rich historical backdrop of a changing city.
Fans of Kennedy’s Albany novels, filled with compelling snapshots of city life and layered character histories, may easily connect with Hamill’s storytelling and vivid historical settings.
Books by Alice McDermott capture the heart of Irish-American family life with sensitive storytelling and precise detail. Readers who enjoy William Kennedy’s depiction of Irish Catholic communities might find resonance in McDermott’s “Charming Billy.”
This novel revolves around Billy Lynch, a lovable but troubled man whose life and death leave a deep mark on his family and friends.
Through memories shared at Billy’s funeral, readers piece together a moving portrait of love, disappointment, and family bonds across several generations. McDermott skillfully blends humor and sorrow, revealing the truths hidden beneath family legends and everyday experiences.
Readers who enjoy William Kennedy’s vivid portrayal of complicated characters navigating life’s problems might appreciate John Updike.
Updike’s novel “Rabbit, Run” introduces readers to Harry 'Rabbit' Angstrom, a former high school basketball star struggling with the disappointments of adulthood.
Disillusioned by a mundane existence, Rabbit impulsively decides to leave his family and pursue freedom, only to find his newfound path filled with unexpected challenges.
Updike’s realistic depiction of small-town life and complex relationships echoes Kennedy’s ability to bring depth and authenticity to his characters.
Bernard Malamud was an American author known for his character-driven novels set in cities full of dreams and struggles.
Readers who enjoyed William Kennedy’s vivid portrayals of Albany’s gritty life and complex, flawed characters may discover similar depth and charm in Malamud’s writing.
In his novel “The Natural,” Malamud blends baseball mythology with a realistic story about ambition, redemption, and human weakness. The main character, Roy Hobbs, is a gifted baseball prodigy whose career takes unexpected and complicated turns.
Malamud reveals his characters’ struggles and dreams with humor, subtlety, and insight. Those who appreciate Kennedy’s narratives of urban life’s darker side could find a connection with Malamud’s memorable storytelling approach.
Russell Banks is an American author known for his thoughtful exploration of working-class life, family tension, and personal struggle. His writings often explore the harsher realities of small-town America.
In his novel “Affliction,” Banks tells the story of Wade Whitehouse, a small-town policeman haunted by his violent past and struggling beneath family burdens that threaten his sanity.
Wade’s complex relationship with his abusive father deeply affects his adult life and relationships.
Readers who enjoyed William Kennedy’s “Ironweed,” with its vivid portrayal of characters navigating hardship in gritty urban settings, will appreciate Banks’ skill in capturing similarly intricate lives and landscapes.
Philip Roth is an American novelist known for his sharp depiction of personal identity, morality, and American life. If you enjoy William Kennedy’s vivid storytelling and exploration of complex characters, you might appreciate Roth’s novel “American Pastoral.”
This book follows the life of Seymour “Swede” Levov, a former star high school athlete whose perfect American life unravels dramatically when his daughter commits an act of political terrorism during the Vietnam War era.
Roth portrays the turmoil beneath the surface of the American dream, exploring family tensions, cultural divides, and the impact of historical upheaval on ordinary lives. Roth’s writing style is direct and emotionally honest, making his characters feel familiar and true-to-life.
John Steinbeck was an American writer known for his vivid portrayals of working-class life and realistic characters. Readers who enjoy William Kennedy’s stories about complex relationships and life struggles will find Steinbeck’s books engaging and insightful.
His novel “Cannery Row,” set in Monterey, California, paints a humorous yet compassionate picture of life on the margins. The narrative centers around Mack and his friends, a lively group of locals who plan an elaborate party for their friend Doc, a marine biologist.
This book highlights friendship, community, and the dignity of ordinary lives in a warm, often humorous story that is both genuinely human and gently profound.
Saul Bellow was an American author praised for insightful and energetic storytelling that explores human experience and modern life. Fans of William Kennedy’s vivid portrayals of complex characters in authentic urban settings may be drawn to Bellow’s novel, “Herzog.”
This book introduces Moses Herzog, a man troubled by personal failures, who navigates the chaos of his life by writing unsent letters to family, friends, and public figures.
The narrative weaves darkly humorous situations with profound emotional dilemmas, showcasing Bellow’s ability to combine sharp wit and deep humanity.
Through Herzog’s perspective, readers experience the complexities of middle-aged disillusionment and self-discovery, making this novel appealing to those who appreciate Kennedy’s richly layered storytelling.
Annie Proulx is an author worth discovering for readers who enjoy William Kennedy’s vivid, character-driven storytelling. Her novel “The Shipping News” immerses us in the life of Quoyle, a lonely newspaperman who moves to Newfoundland after personal tragedy.
Surrounded by rocky cliffs, stormy seas, and quirky locals, Quoyle faces new challenges and strange adventures in this isolated corner of Canada. Proulx’s characters feel as real and complex as the landscape itself, and her dark humor adds unexpected depth to their lives.
Anyone who appreciates Kennedy’s blend of rich settings and emotionally powerful characters might find a similarly rewarding reading experience in “The Shipping News.”
Readers who appreciate William Kennedy’s vivid storytelling and exploration of complex characters might enjoy Cormac McCarthy.
McCarthy is celebrated for his stark and powerful novels set in the American West and South, many of which tackle moral ambiguity and existential questions.
His book “No Country for Old Men” centers around a man named Llewelyn Moss, who finds a drug deal gone wrong and makes off with a fortune.
This fateful decision sets off a tense and violent chase involving a relentless hitman and a worn-down sheriff who struggles to make sense of the brutal world around him. Its fast pace and tense atmosphere, combined with McCarthy’s sharp dialogue, make it hard to put down.