12 Authors Like Ernest Hemingway Worth Reading

Ernest Hemingway’s writing is bold, stripped-down and deeply human.

His ability to say so much with so little has inspired generations of readers and writers alike.

If you’re drawn to his raw storytelling, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy discovering other authors who share that same spirit.

From minimalist prose to themes of masculinity, solitude and resilience, the literary world is filled with voices that echo his distinct style.

This list highlights 12 exceptional authors like Ernest Hemingway, each offering something familiar yet uniquely their own.

Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or looking for something new, these writers won’t disappoint.

12 Authors Like Ernest Hemingway

1. Raymond Carver

Writing Style & Themes:
Carver’s minimalist prose captures the quiet struggles of everyday life. 

His stories often explore themes of isolation, failed relationships and the unspoken emotions beneath ordinary conversations. 

Like Hemingway, Carver mastered the art of saying more with less, leaving readers to uncover deeper meanings beneath the surface.​

Notable Books/Series:

• What We Talk About When We Talk About Love (1981)
• Cathedral (1983)
• Will You Please Be Quiet, Please? (1976)
• Where I’m Calling From (1988)
• Call If You Need Me (2001)​

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Carver’s stories resonate with raw honesty, offering a poignant look into the complexities of human relationships and the quiet desperation of everyday life.​

Raymond Carver’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7363.Raymond_Carver 

2. Cormac McCarthy

Writing Style & Themes:
Cormac McCarthy‘s prose is stark and unflinching, often delving into the darkest corners of human nature. 

His narratives explore themes of survival, morality and the human condition, echoing Hemingway’s directness and depth.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Road (2006)
• No Country for Old Men (2005)
• Blood Meridian (1985)
• All the Pretty Horses (1992)
• The Passenger (2022)​

Why Readers Will Love Him:
McCarthy’s narratives are hauntingly beautiful, offering profound insights into the human psyche and the often brutal world we inhabit.​

Cormac McCarthy’s Website: https://www.cormacmccarthysociety.com

3. John Steinbeck

Writing Style & Themes:
Steinbeck’s writing is characterized by its simplicity and clarity, focusing on the lives of ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges. 

His themes of social justice and human dignity align with Hemingway’s exploration of the human spirit.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Grapes of Wrath (1939)
• Of Mice and Men (1937)
• East of Eden (1952)
• Cannery Row (1945)
• The Pearl (1947)

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Steinbeck’s stories offer a compassionate look at the struggles and triumphs of everyday life.​

John Steinbeck’s Website: https://steinbeck.org

4. Richard Yates

Writing Style & Themes:
Yates’s prose is precise and unadorned, delving into the disillusionment of the American Dream. 

His focus on flawed characters and existential themes mirrors Hemingway’s exploration of human vulnerability.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Revolutionary Road (1961)
• The Easter Parade (1976)
• Eleven Kinds of Loneliness (1962)
• A Good School (1978)
• Disturbing the Peace (1975)

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Yates offers an unflinching look at the complexities of human relationships and the often unspoken struggles of everyday life.​

Richard Yates’ Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27069.Richard_Yates 

5. James Salter

Writing Style & Themes:
Salter’s writing is elegant and lyrical, capturing the nuances of desire, memory and the passage of time. 

His focus on the sensory experiences of life aligns with Hemingway’s attention to detail and emotional depth.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Hunters (1956)
• A Sport and a Pastime (1967)
• Light Years (1975)
• Dusk and Other Stories (1988)
• All That Is (2013)​

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Salter’s prose is a masterclass in subtlety, offering introspective narratives that linger long after the final page.​

James Salter’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11298.James_Salter 

6. Denis Johnson

Writing Style & Themes:
Johnson’s writing is raw and poetic, often exploring the lives of marginalized individuals. 

His themes of addiction, redemption and the human condition resonate with Hemingway’s exploration of existential struggles.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Tree of Smoke (2007)
• Jesus’ Son (1992)
• Train Dreams (2002)
• Angels (1983)
• Nobody Move (2009)​

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Johnson’s narratives are both gritty and transcendent, offering a unique blend of the profane and the poetic.​

Denis Johnson’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6468.Denis_Johnson 

7. Jim Harrison

Writing Style & Themes:
Harrison’s prose is rich with sensory detail, blending the ruggedness of nature with the complexities of human emotion. 

His narratives often explore themes of solitude, masculinity and the human connection to the natural world, echoing Hemingway’s exploration of similar motifs.

Notable Books/Series:

• Legends of the Fall (1979)
• Dalva (1988)
• The Road Home (1998)
• True North (2004)
• The Beast God Forgot to Invent (2000)​

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Harrison’s storytelling immerses readers in the raw beauty of nature and the depths of human experience, offering a profound literary journey.​

Jim Harrison’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17055.Jim_Harrison 

8. Stephen Crane

Writing Style & Themes:
Crane’s writing is marked by vivid imagery and a focus on the psychological aspects of his characters. 

His exploration of themes like courage, fear and the human condition aligns with Hemingway’s literary pursuits.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Red Badge of Courage (1895)
• Maggie: A Girl of the Streets (1893)
• The Open Boat and Other Tales of Adventure (1898)
• The Monster and Other Stories (1899)
• War Is Kind (1899)​

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Crane’s narratives offer a compelling exploration of human psychology and the complexities of moral dilemmas.​

Stephen Crane’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19879.Stephen_Crane 

9. James M. Cain

Writing Style & Themes:
Cain’s prose is direct and unembellished, delving into the darker aspects of human nature. 

His exploration of themes like desire, betrayal and moral ambiguity resonates with Hemingway’s stark realism.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Postman Always Rings Twice (1934)
• Double Indemnity (1943)
• Mildred Pierce (1941)
• Serenade (1937)
• Love’s Lovely Counterfeit (1942)​

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Cain’s gripping narratives and exploration of moral complexities offer a riveting reading experience.​

James M. Cain’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14473.James_M_Cain 

10. Elmore Leonard

Writing Style & Themes:
Elmore Leonard’s writing is known for its sharp dialogue and lean prose. 

His focus on crime and morally ambiguous characters aligns with Hemingway’s minimalist style and exploration of human flaws.

Notable Books/Series:

• Get Shorty (1990)
• Out of Sight (1996)
• Rum Punch (1992)
• Freaky Deaky (1988)
• LaBrava (1983)​

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Elmore Leonard‘s fast-paced narratives and witty dialogue provide an engaging and entertaining reading experience.​

Elmore Leonard’s Website: https://www.elmoreleonard.com

11. Per Petterson

Writing Style & Themes:
Petterson’s prose is introspective and evocative, often exploring themes of memory, loss and the passage of time. 

His focus on the inner lives of his characters mirrors Hemingway’s subtle emotional depth.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Out Stealing Horses (2003)
• In the Wake (2000)
• To Siberia (1996)
• I Curse the River of Time (2008)
• It’s Fine By Me (1992)​

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Petterson’s contemplative narratives offer a profound exploration of human emotions and relationships.​

Per Petterson’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/225944.Per_Petterson 

12. Richard Ford

Writing Style & Themes:
Ford’s writing is characterized by its clarity and focus on the intricacies of everyday life. 

His exploration of themes like identity, loss and the human experience aligns with Hemingway’s literary focus.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Sportswriter (1986)
• Independence Day (1995)
• The Lay of the Land (2006)
• Let Me Be Frank With You (2014)
• Canada (2012)​

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Ford’s nuanced storytelling and deep character exploration offer a compelling and thought-provoking reading experience.​

Richard Ford’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7849.Richard_Ford 

Last Word on the Writers Like Ernest Hemingway

The above 12 authors similar to Ernest Hemingway each bring something special to the page while capturing the same raw honesty and powerful simplicity that made Hemingway’s work so unforgettable.

Writers like Raymond Carver, Cormac McCarthy and Richard Ford share his stripped-down prose and focus on life’s deeper struggles.

Others like Jim Harrison and Per Petterson echo his love for nature and quiet introspection.

Whether you’re drawn to emotional depth, masculine themes or understated storytelling, these authors like Ernest Hemingway are worth exploring.