Explore 12 Authors Similar to Donna Tartt and Their Works

In this post, we’ll take a look at 12 authors similar to Donna Tartt – writers who craft immersive novels filled with intricate plots, complex characters and a literary style that lingers in the mind long after the final page.

If you love Tartt’s rich storytelling, psychological depth and dark academia aesthetic, these authors will captivate you with their own unique takes on mystery, obsession and the human experience.

Whether you’re drawn to the slow-burn intrigue of The Secret History or the haunting beauty of The Goldfinch, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in the works of these like-minded writers.

12 Authors Similar to Donna Tartt

1. John Banville

Writing Style & Themes:
Banville crafts elegant precise prose with intellectual depth, delving into themes of memory, identity and existential introspection, just like Donna Tartt’s literary fiction.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Sea
• The Book of Evidence 
• Ancient Light

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Banville’s intricate narratives and richly drawn characters offer an immersive reading experience that resonates with Tartt’s storytelling.​

John Banville’s Website: https://john-banville.com/

2. A.S. Byatt

Writing Style & Themes:
Byatt’s richly detailed prose delves into intellectual and artistic themes, exploring the interplay between life and literature, just like Donna Tartt’s depth and narrative complexity.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Possession
• Angels and Insects
• The Children’s Book

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Byatt’s intricate storytelling and profound character studies offer a richly immersive experience that resonates with fans of Tartt’s work.​

A.S. Byatt’s Website: https://www.asbyatt.com 

3. Iris Murdoch

Writing Style & Themes:
Murdoch’s philosophical novels feature complex characters and moral dilemmas reflecting Tartt’s intellectual approach and exploration of human nature.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Sea, The Sea
• Under the Net
• The Bell

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Murdoch’s deep philosophical insights and intricate character portrayals provide a thought-provoking reading experience akin to Tartt’s narratives.​

Iris Murdoch’s Website: https://irismurdochsociety.org.uk 

4. F. Scott Fitzgerald

Writing Style & Themes:
Fitzgerald’s lyrical prose and exploration of the American Dream mirror Tartt’s descriptive style and thematic depth.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Great Gatsby
• Tender Is the Night
• This Side of Paradise

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Fitzgerald’s evocative storytelling and complex characters offer a rich literary experience that resonates with Tartt’s readers.​

Scott Fitzgerald’s Website: https://fscottfitzgeraldsociety.org

5. Vladimir Nabokov

Writing Style & Themes:
Nabokov’s intricate literary prose and exploration of obsession and art align with Tartt’s rich narrative style.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Lolita
• Pale Fire
• Ada or Ardor: A Family Chronicle

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Nabokov’s masterful command of language and psychological depth provide a challenging and rewarding experience for readers who appreciate Tartt’s complexity.​

Vladimir Nabokov’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5152.Vladimir_Nabokov 

6. Henry James

Writing Style & Themes:
James’s complex psychological narratives and detailed character explorations echo Tartt’s depth and literary sophistication.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Portrait of a Lady​
• The Wings of the Dove
• The Turn of the Screw

Why Readers Will Love Him:
James’ nuanced character studies and intricate plots offer a richly textured reading experience that appeals to fans of Tartt’s work.​

Henry James’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/159.Henry_James 

7. Truman Capote

Writing Style & Themes:
Capote’s lyrical and descriptive writing delves into the complexities of human nature, much like Donna Tartt’s atmospheric and emotional narratives.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Breakfast at Tiffany’s 
• In Cold Blood
• Other Voices, Other Rooms

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Capote’s evocative prose and deep character studies offer a rich and immersive experience that resonates with fans of Tartt’s storytelling.​

Truman Capote’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/431149.Truman_Capote 

8. M.L. Rio

Writing Style & Themes:
Rio’s detailed and atmospheric narratives set in academic settings mirror Tartt’s exploration of complex relationships and moral ambiguity.​

Notable Books/Series:

• If We Were Villains

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Rio’s intricate plotting and rich character development provide a gripping experience reminiscent of Tartt’s work.​

M.L. Rio’s Website: https://mlrio.com 

9. Mona Awad

Writing Style & Themes:
Awad’s dark atmospheric prose delves into themes of identity and societal norms, resonating with Tartt’s exploration of human nature.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Bunny
• 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl 
• All’s Well​

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Awad’s unique voice and exploration of the darker aspects of human experience offer a compelling read for fans of Tartt’s work.​

Mona Awad’s Website: http://monaawadauthor.com 

10. Daphne du Maurier

Writing Style & Themes:
Du Maurier’s suspenseful writing with rich descriptions aligns with Tartt’s ability to create a strong sense of place and mood.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Rebecca
• My Cousin Rachel
• Jamaica Inn

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Du Maurier’s captivating storytelling and creation of suspenseful atmospheres provide a reading experience akin to Tartt’s novels.​

Daphne du Maurier’s Website: https://www.dumaurier.org 

11. Shirley Jackson

Writing Style & Themes:
Jackson’s detailed prose focuses on psychological horror and societal norms, echoing Tartt’s exploration of the human psyche.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Haunting of Hill House​
• We Have Always Lived in the Castle
• The Lottery

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Jackson’s ability to blend the ordinary with the macabre offers a compelling and unsettling experience for readers who appreciate Tartt’s depth.​

Shirley Jackson’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13388.Shirley_Jackson 

12. Carson McCullers

Writing Style & Themes:
McCullers’ poetic and empathetic style with complex characters shares Tartt’s emotional depth and exploration of loneliness and human connection.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
• The Member of the Wedding
• Reflections in a Golden Eye

Why Readers Will Love Her:
McCullers’ profound character studies and exploration of the human condition provide a deeply moving experience for fans of Tartt’s work.​

Carson McCullers’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3506.Carson_McCullers 

Last Word on the Authors Like Donna Tartt

The above authors like Donna Tartt offer readers a rich tapestry of literary experiences that echo her profound storytelling.

John Banville’s elegant prose, A.S. Byatt’s intricate narratives and Iris Murdoch’s philosophical explorations provide immersive journeys into the human psyche.

Similarly, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s lyrical portrayals of complex characters and Vladimir Nabokov’s intricate literary style resonate with the depth found in Tartt’s works.

Engaging with these authors not only satisfies the desire for compelling narratives but also broadens one’s appreciation for diverse literary voices that mirror Tartt’s captivating storytelling.

Let us know in the comments below which of the above authors similar to Donna Tartt are your favorite.