Discover books similar to "White Oleander"

Sylvia Plath

The Bell Jar

This novel by Sylvia Plath follows the protagonist Esther Greenwood's descent into mental illness, paralleling Plath's own experiences. The story explores themes of identity, femininity, and the pressures of societal expectations, much like White Oleander. The raw and poetic language used by Plath will resonate with fans of Fitch's writing style.

Amy Tan

The Joy Luck Club

Amy Tan's novel revolves around the complex relationships between four Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters. This book, like White Oleander, delves into the intricacies of mother-daughter dynamics, family secrets, and cultural identity. The intergenerational storytelling will captivate readers who enjoyed the multi-layered narrative in White Oleander.

Barbara Kingsolver

The Poisonwood Bible

The Poisonwood Bible is a multivoiced novel about the Prices, a evangelical family from Georgia, who move to the Belgian Congo in 1959. The story is told through the perspectives of the wife and daughters, exploring themes of cultural clash, disillusionment, and resilience. Fans of White Oleander will appreciate the rich and evocative prose, as well as the complex family dynamics in this book.

Jane Smiley

A Thousand Acres

In A Thousand Acres, Jane Smiley reimagines Shakespeare's King Lear set on an Iowa farm, where the patriarch, Larry Cook, decides to divide his land among his three daughters. This book, like White Oleander, delves into the darker side of family relationships and the consequences of deceit and manipulation. Readers will be drawn to the Midwestern setting and the exploration of the ties that bind—and tear apart—families.

Sue Monk Kidd

The Secret Life of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees is a coming-of-age story about Lily Owens, a 14-year-old girl who runs away from her abusive father to search for the truth about her mother's past. Set in the American South during the Civil Rights era, this novel explores themes of race, identity, and the search for a place to call home, much like White Oleander. Readers will be captivated by the vivid characters and lyrical prose.

Toni Morrison

The Bluest Eye

The Bluest Eye is a powerful novel about Pecola Breedlove, a young African-American girl who believes that if she had blue eyes, she would be loved and accepted. This book, like White Oleander, delves into the destructive nature of societal beauty standards and the long-lasting impact of abuse and trauma. Readers will be moved by Morrison's poetic language and the unforgettable characters.

Carson McCullers

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is a novel about a group of misfits in a small Southern town who are drawn together by their loneliness and their search for meaning. This book, like White Oleander, explores themes of isolation, identity, and the human desire for connection. Readers will be moved by McCullers' empathetic portrayal of her characters and her evocative prose.

Brit Bennett

The Vanishing Half

The Vanishing Half is a novel about twin sisters who grow up in a small, Southern Black community and choose vastly different paths in life. This book, like White Oleander, delves into the complexities of identity, family secrets, and the long-lasting impact of the past. Readers will be captivated by Bennett's nuanced portrayal of her characters and the exploration of race, class, and gender.