12 Writers Like Dostoevsky You Should Know

This list of 12 writers like Dostoevsky invites you into a world where literature delves deep into the human soul.

Each author on this list shares Dostoevsky’s passion for exploring the complexities of human nature, morality and society.

From the psychological intricacies of Tolstoy to the existential musings of Camus, these writers offer profound insights that resonate with readers seeking depth and meaning.

Whether you’re drawn to the surreal landscapes of Kafka or the spiritual journeys of Hesse, this collection provides a diverse array of narratives that challenge and inspire.

12 Writers Like Dostoevsky

1. Leo Tolstoy

Writing Style & Themes:
Tolstoy’s novels delve into the human psyche exploring moral dilemmas, existential crises and the complexities of society. 

His narratives often reflect a deep concern for ethical and spiritual matters, akin to Dostoevsky’s introspective explorations.

Notable Books/Series:

• War and Peace
• Anna Karenina
• The Death of Ivan Ilyich
• Resurrection
• The Kreutzer Sonata

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Tolstoy’s profound insights into human nature and his exploration of moral and spiritual questions offer readers a thought-provoking experience.

Leo Tolstoy’s Website: leo-tolstoy.com

2. Nikolai Gogol

Writing Style & Themes:
Gogol blended satire with surrealism delving into the absurdities of bureaucracy and the human psyche, laying groundwork for Dostoevsky’s explorations of the grotesque.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Dead Souls
• The Overcoat
• The Nose
• The Government Inspector
• Diary of a Madman

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Gogol’s sharp wit and uncanny tales offer a unique lens into the quirks of human nature and society.​

Nikolai Gogol’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/232932.Nikolai_Gogol 

3. Mikhail Bulgakov

Writing Style & Themes:
Bulgakov masterfully fused fantasy with reality, using satire to critique Soviet society while probing deep philosophical questions.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Master and Margarita
• Heart of a Dog
• The White Guard
• The Fatal Eggs
• Black Snow

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Bulgakov’s imaginative narratives challenge perceptions, blending humor with profound insights into good and evil.​

Mikhail Bulgakov’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3873.Mikhail_Bulgakov 

4. Franz Kafka

Writing Style & Themes:
Kafka’s works delve into themes of alienation and existential dread, portraying characters trapped in incomprehensible systems.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Trial
• The Metamorphosis
• The Castle
• In the Penal Colony
• Amerika

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Kafka’s haunting tales resonate with those who ponder the absurdities of modern life and the individual’s place within it.​

Franz Kafka’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5223.Franz_Kafka 

5. Albert Camus

Writing Style & Themes:
Camus explored existentialism and the absurd, questioning the meaning of life and the human condition through clear concise prose.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Stranger
• The Plague
• The Fall
• The Myth of Sisyphus
• The Rebel

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Camus offers profound philosophical insights prompting readers to reflect on morality, freedom and the essence of existence.​

Albert Camus’ Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/957894.Albert_Camus 

6. Ivan Turgenev

Writing Style & Themes:
Turgenev’s narratives focus on character development and social issues, portraying the tensions between generations and ideologies.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Fathers and Sons
• First Love
• Rudin
• Home of the Gentry
• On the Eve

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Turgenev’s elegant prose and insightful character studies offer a deep understanding of societal transformations and personal dilemmas.​

Ivan Turgenev’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/410680.Ivan_Turgenev 

7. Anton Chekhov

Writing Style & Themes:
Chekhov’s narratives often focus on the subtleties of everyday life, exploring the complexities of human nature with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of psychological nuances.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Lady with the Dog
• Uncle Vanya
• The Cherry Orchard
• Ward No. 6
• Three Sisters

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Chekhov’s works offer a profound exploration of human emotions and relationships, capturing the essence of the human experience with empathy and insight.​

Anton Chekhov’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5031025.Anton_Chekhov 

8. Mikhail Lermontov

Writing Style & Themes:
Lermontov’s writings delve into the inner turmoil of his characters often set against the backdrop of the Caucasus, reflecting themes of existential angst and the search for meaning.​

Notable Books/Series:

• A Hero of Our Time
• The Demon
• The Novice
• The Song of the Merchant Kalashnikov
• Ashik Kerib

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Lermontov’s poetic prose and exploration of the human psyche offer a rich introspective reading experience that resonates with those seeking depth and emotion.​

Mikhail Lermontov’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15538.Mikhail_Lermontov 

9. Osamu Dazai

Writing Style & Themes:
Dazai’s confessional style offers an unflinching look into the human condition, exploring themes of alienation, despair and the struggle for identity with raw honesty.​

Notable Books/Series:

• No Longer Human
• The Setting Sun
• Run, Melos!
• Schoolgirl
• Villon’s Wife

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Dazai’s candid exploration of personal suffering and existential angst provides a deeply moving and relatable experience for readers.​

Osamu Dazai’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/113561.Osamu_Dazai 

10. Joseph Conrad

Writing Style & Themes:
Conrad’s works often explore the complexities of human morality and the psychological depths of his characters set against the backdrop of colonialism and the sea.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Heart of Darkness
• Lord Jim
• Nostromo
• The Secret Agent
• Under Western Eyes

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Conrad’s intricate narratives and exploration of moral ambiguity offer a thought-provoking reading experience that delves into the darker aspects of human nature.​

Joseph Conrad’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3345.Joseph_Conrad 

11. Thomas Mann

Writing Style & Themes:
Mann’s novels often explore the tension between the individual and society delving into themes of identity, morality and the human psyche with philosophical depth.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Magic Mountain
• Death in Venice
• Buddenbrooks
• Doctor Faustus
• Joseph and His Brothers

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Mann’s profound exploration of existential themes and his rich nuanced characters offer a deeply intellectual and emotionally resonant reading experience.​

Thomas Mann’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19405.Thomas_Mann 

12. Hermann Hesse

Writing Style & Themes:
Hesse’s works often explore the individual’s quest for self-knowledge and spiritual enlightenment, blending Eastern philosophy with Western literary traditions.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Steppenwolf
• Siddhartha
• The Glass Bead Game
• Demian
• Narcissus and Goldmund

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Hesse’s introspective narratives and philosophical insights offer a profound exploration of the human spirit and the search for meaning.​

Hermann Hesse’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1113469.Hermann_Hesse 

Last Word on the Authors Like Dostoevsky

The above 12 authors similar to Dostoevsky each bring their own distinct lens to the same deep questions that defined his work i.e. questions of morality, identity, suffering and the human spirit.

From the philosophical weight of Tolstoy and the surreal unease of Kafka to the quiet emotional truths of Chekhov and the spiritual quests found in Hesse, these authors carry forward a tradition of introspective thought-provoking literature.

Whether you’re moved by Camus’ detached clarity or Dazai’s raw vulnerability, this list of writers like Dostoevsky offers compelling voices that will stay with you.