Discover books similar to "The Luminaries"

Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch

If you enjoyed the intricate plot and historical setting of 'The Luminaries', you may also like 'The Goldfinch'. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows a young man named Theo as he navigates the New York art world and comes to terms with a tragedy in his past. Like 'The Luminaries', 'The Goldfinch' is a sweeping, ambitious work that explores themes of fate, luck, and the power of art.

Donna Tartt

The Secret History

Another excellent choice for fans of 'The Luminaries' is 'The Secret History'. This psychological thriller follows a group of classics students at a small college in Vermont as they become increasingly obsessed with the occult and the darker aspects of Greek tragedy. Like 'The Luminaries', 'The Secret History' is a complex, multi-layered work that explores the ways in which our pasts can shape our present.

George Eliot

Middlemarch

If you enjoyed the richly drawn characters and social commentary of 'The Luminaries', you may also enjoy 'Middlemarch'. This classic novel, set in a small English town in the 1830s, follows the intertwined lives of several characters as they navigate issues of love, ambition, and social class. Like 'The Luminaries', 'Middlemarch' is a deeply human work that offers a nuanced portrait of its time and place.

Michel Faber

The Crimson Petal and the White

For readers who enjoyed the historical setting and complex plot of 'The Luminaries', 'The Crimson Petal and the White' is an excellent choice. This sweeping novel, set in Victorian London, follows the fortunes of a young prostitute named Sugar as she rises through the ranks of society and becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of power and manipulation. Like 'The Luminaries', 'The Crimson Petal and the White' is a richly detailed work that explores the darker side of human nature.

Margaret Atwood

The Blind Assassin

If you enjoyed the intricate structure and multiple narratives of 'The Luminaries', you may also enjoy 'The Blind Assassin'. This Booker Prize-winning novel tells the story of two sisters, Iris and Laura, as they come of age in the early 20th century. The novel is narrated by Iris, who looks back on her life and the secrets that she and her sister shared. Like 'The Luminaries', 'The Blind Assassin' is a complex, multi-layered work that explores the power of storytelling and the ways in which our memories can shape our understanding of the past.

Umberto Eco

The Name of the Rose

For readers who enjoyed the historical setting and intellectual puzzles of 'The Luminaries', 'The Name of the Rose' is an excellent choice. This international bestseller, set in a medieval monastery, follows a Franciscan friar named William of Baskerville as he investigates a series of mysterious deaths. Like 'The Luminaries', 'The Name of the Rose' is a complex, multi-layered work that explores themes of religion, philosophy, and the power of knowledge.

Barbara Kingsolver

The Poisonwood Bible

If you enjoyed the vivid sense of place and exploration of cultural difference in 'The Luminaries', you may also enjoy 'The Poisonwood Bible'. This powerful novel tells the story of an evangelical Baptist family from Georgia who move to the Belgian Congo in 1959. The novel is narrated by the family's four daughters, who offer distinct perspectives on the political and cultural upheavals of the time. Like 'The Luminaries', 'The Poisonwood Bible' is a richly detailed work that explores the clash of cultures and the ways in which our beliefs can shape our understanding of the world.

Junot Díaz

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

For readers who enjoyed the sweeping, multi-generational narrative of 'The Luminaries', 'The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao' is an excellent choice. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the story of a young Dominican man named Oscar, who struggles to find his place in the world amidst the political turmoil of his native country. The novel is narrated by Oscar's friend and fellow outcast, Yunior, who offers a wry and insightful commentary on Oscar's life and the larger cultural forces that shape it. Like 'The Luminaries', 'The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao' is a richly textured work that explores themes of identity, history, and the power of storytelling.

Mikhail Bulgakov

The Master and Margarita

If you enjoyed the supernatural elements and exploration of good and evil in 'The Luminaries', you may also enjoy 'The Master and Margarita'. This classic Russian novel tells the story of a mysterious stranger named Woland, who arrives in Moscow and proceeds to wreak havoc on the city's literary elite. The novel is a complex, multi-layered work that explores themes of faith, reason, and the human condition. Like 'The Luminaries', 'The Master and Margarita' is a richly imaginative work that challenges readers to question their assumptions about the world.

Haruki Murakami

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

For readers who enjoyed the dreamlike quality and exploration of the unconscious in 'The Luminaries', 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' is an excellent choice. This surreal novel tells the story of a man named Toru Okada, who embarks on a journey into the depths of his own psyche in search of his missing wife. The novel is a complex, multi-layered work that explores themes of memory, identity, and the nature of reality. Like 'The Luminaries', 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' is a richly imaginative work that challenges readers to question their assumptions about the world.