If you enjoy reading novels by Zadie Smith then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoy Zadie Smith’s thoughtful character depictions and cultural insights might appreciate Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s work. Adichie is a Nigerian author known for her sharp insights into identity, culture, and personal relationships.
Her novel “Americanah” follows Ifemelu and Obinze, two Nigerians who fall in love in their youth but are separated as they pursue separate lives abroad.
Ifemelu navigates race and identity in America, while Obinze faces the complicated realities of life as an undocumented immigrant in the United Kingdom. Through their stories, Adichie explores how life abroad reshapes a person’s understanding of home, love, and belonging.
Her vivid storytelling and thoughtful exploration of social issues make “Americanah” an engaging and thought-provoking read.
Jhumpa Lahiri is an author who captures the experiences of characters caught between different cultures and identities. Her novel “The Namesake” centers around Gogol Ganguli, a young man born in America to Bengali immigrant parents.
Struggling with his unusual name, Gogol attempts to navigate his roots while embracing his American upbringing. Lahiri explores family tension, personal growth, and the complexity of belonging.
Fans of Zadie Smith’s detailed portrayals of cross-cultural experiences and family dynamics will appreciate Lahiri’s thoughtful storytelling and vivid characters.
Colson Whitehead offers readers sharp and thoughtful insights into race, identity, and American culture, similar to the style that Zadie Smith fans often enjoy.
His book “The Underground Railroad” reimagines history with a remarkable twist: the railroad isn’t just a metaphor, but a literal underground network helping enslaved people escape to freedom. The story follows Cora, a determined young woman fleeing brutal conditions in Georgia.
As she moves state by state seeking safety, she encounters unique societies and challenging realities at every turn. Whitehead beautifully blends historical realism and imaginative storytelling, creating an unforgettable journey through America’s dark past.
Hanif Kureishi is a British author known for exploring themes of identity, culture, and race in modern Britain. Readers who appreciate Zadie Smith’s sharp social observations will find Kureishi’s work equally engaging.
His novel “The Buddha of Suburbia” follows Karim, a teenager of mixed English and Indian descent, who navigates life in suburban London during the 1970s.
Karim’s journey to find his place within two contrasting cultures brings out the humor, complexity, and contradictions of growing up between worlds.
The story is funny and provocative, giving a vivid picture of multicultural Britain through the eyes of an unforgettable, flawed but lovable character.
Readers who enjoy the sharp insights and vibrant narratives of Zadie Smith may appreciate Arundhati Roy. Roy is an Indian author celebrated for her lyrical style and profound explorations of social themes.
Her novel “The God of Small Things” immerses you in the lives of twins Estha and Rahel, set against the lush backdrop of Kerala. The story revolves around family bonds, forbidden love, and tragic consequences borne from breaking rigid societal rules.
Roy portrays characters in a way that resonates deeply, with a blend of humor, sadness, and quiet rebellion. For readers drawn to novels that connect personal stories to broader social currents, Roy’s writing offers a touching and memorable experience.
Readers who find depth and humanity in Zadie Smith’s novels will appreciate Toni Morrison’s powerful storytelling in “Beloved.” Morrison is known for capturing vivid portraits of African American life through rich narratives and emotional honesty.
“Beloved” tells the story of Sethe, a woman who escaped slavery but remains haunted by its ghosts. Sethe’s life takes a stunning turn when a mysterious young woman named Beloved arrives at her doorstep, forcing memories and consequences of her past into the open.
The book explores trauma, resilience, and the complexity of maternal love with unforgettable scenes and strong characters. Morrison’s writing offers real emotional depth that resonates long after the final page.
Readers who appreciate Zadie Smith’s sharp observations of human relationships and modern life might connect with Rachel Cusk. Her novel “Outline” introduces us to Faye, a writer who travels to Athens to teach a writing course.
Rather than focusing solely on her own narrative, the story weaves together the lives and conversations of those she meets. Passengers on flights, students in class, friends and strangers alike—each character reveals parts of their personal stories to Faye.
Through these conversations, readers start to see an indirect portrait unfold about Faye herself. Subtle yet powerful, Rachel Cusk crafts a narrative that explores identity, memory, and how we come to understand ourselves through others.
Readers who enjoy Zadie Smith’s thoughtful exploration of identity and cultural complexities will likely appreciate Kazuo Ishiguro. Ishiguro’s novels carefully examine memory, relationships, and our hidden motivations.
His book “Never Let Me Go” offers a subtle look at friendship, love, and acceptance. Set in an alternate England, the story follows Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy, students at a seemingly cozy boarding school called Hailsham.
But as they grow older, they slowly discover unsettling truths about who they really are and what their future holds. Ishiguro’s calm and understated narrative style gently pulls you into a reflective journey where humanity and ethical questions quietly surface.
Books by Salman Rushdie have lively storytelling, cultural reflection, and complex characters that readers who appreciate Zadie Smith may enjoy exploring.
His novel “Midnight’s Children” follows Saleem Sinai, born at the stroke of India’s independence from Britain, whose life becomes mysteriously intertwined with the fate of his nation.
Saleem and others born in that midnight hour gain unique gifts, creating connections and conflicts as India’s history unfolds around them.
Rushdie weaves magical realism, sharp humor, and insightful commentary into a narrative that captures personal stories within a broader historical context. He skillfully blends individual destinies and cultural events, creating an imaginative and thought-provoking read.
Readers who enjoy Zadie Smith’s thoughtful exploration of identity and cultural crossroads will likely appreciate Teju Cole. Cole is a Nigerian-American author known for his introspective and layered storytelling.
His novel “Open City” follows Julius, a Nigerian immigrant and psychiatry resident in New York City. Julius wanders the city streets, where random encounters and quiet observations draw out reflections on memory, race, and belonging.
Through Julius’s eyes, readers gain a subtle but profound look at how personal history shapes our view of the surroundings and communities we navigate daily.
Nicole Krauss is an author whose novels thoughtfully explore identity, memory, and human connection in ways readers of Zadie Smith would surely appreciate.
Her book “The History of Love” weaves together the stories of Leo Gursky, a retired locksmith who once wrote a book, and Alma Singer, a young girl named after a character in that very book.
The narrative jumps between their perspectives, building layers of mystery and emotion as their paths slowly draw closer together.
Krauss handles these intertwined lives with humor, sensitivity, and beautiful prose, creating moments that linger in your mind long after you’ve closed the book.
Elif Shafak is a Turkish-British novelist who explores cultural identity, family histories, and the tensions between tradition and modern life.
If you’re a fan of Zadie Smith’s rich characters and nuanced storytelling, Shafak’s “The Bastard of Istanbul” could easily catch your interest. The novel revolves around two families—one in Istanbul, the other in the United States—connected by a complicated past.
Secrets unfold through vivid scenes of everyday life in modern Turkey, while the past continues to shape their relationships and identities. Through memorable characters navigating complex histories, Shafak captures the spirit of contemporary life with honesty and warmth.
Readers who enjoy Zadie Smith’s thoughtful exploration of identity and contemporary society may appreciate Ali Smith’s distinctive narrative voice and imaginative storytelling.
In her novel “Autumn,” Ali Smith weaves together the unlikely friendship between Elisabeth, a young woman navigating the complexities of modern Britain after the Brexit vote, and Daniel, her elderly neighbor whose past life offers her insight and hope.
As Elisabeth grapples with societal division and personal uncertainties, memories and conversations between these two characters create a rich tapestry of connection, art, and history. Smith’s approach brings warmth and depth to themes of generational friendship and change.
Readers who enjoy Zadie Smith’s keen exploration of family bonds and social dynamics might appreciate Jonathan Franzen. Franzen is an American novelist known for his insightful character studies, humor, and piercing critique of contemporary life.
His novel “The Corrections” follows the lives of the Lambert family as they struggle with individual disappointments, shifting roles, and expectations amid an upcoming family reunion.
Alfred and Enid grapple with aging, while their adult children navigate relationships, careers, and personal turmoil in a world shaped by consumerism and shifting values.
Franzen’s realistic portrayal of family complexities, combined with sharp social commentary, can resonate deeply with fans of Smith’s thoughtful storytelling.
Yaa Gyasi is a Ghanaian-American author whose work vividly explores identity, family, and history across cultures and generations. Her novel “Homegoing” follows two half-sisters in 18th-century Ghana whose lives take sharply different paths.
One sister marries a British governor and lives a life of relative comfort; the other is captured during a village raid and sold into slavery.
The story spans multiple generations, tracing the descendants’ lives and the deep scars and struggles forged by slavery, colonialism, and displacement.
Gyasi beautifully weaves together personal stories with broader historical contexts, creating a powerful portrayal of how history lives within families.
If you’re drawn to Zadie Smith’s thoughtful explorations of complex characters and cultural identity, you might find resonance in Gyasi’s storytelling.