7 Authors to Read If You Love Haruki Murakami

Kafka's influence on Murakami is undeniable. His works, like The Metamorphosis and The Trial, explore absurdity, alienation, and the surreal, similar to Murakami's own themes. Kafka’s existential questions and nightmarish scenarios will resonate with any Murakami fan.

Known for his philosophical depth and exploration of personal and political life, Milan Kundera’s novels, such as The Unbearable Lightness of Being, echo Murakami’s themes of isolation and identity. Kundera blends the personal with the metaphysical, creating richly layered narratives.

The pioneer of magical realism, García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera have that dreamlike, timeless quality that Murakami readers enjoy. His fluid mix of the real and the fantastical is a defining trait of his unforgettable stories.

Orhan Pamuk’s blend of Eastern and Western influences, along with his lyrical storytelling, make him a must-read for Murakami lovers. Novels like My Name Is Red and Snow dive into the complexities of culture, identity, and reality, much like Murakami's narratives.

Known for her enchanting mix of magic and realism, Alice Hoffman's works like Practical Magic and The Dovekeepers present everyday life intertwined with the supernatural, much like Murakami’s seamless blend of the fantastical and the ordinary.

Borges’ short stories, such as those in Ficciones and Labyrinths, are rich with complex metaphysical puzzles, parallel universes, and magical elements. His philosophical exploration of time, memory, and identity makes him a perfect match for fans of Murakami's enigmatic style.

Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children and The Satanic Verses feature a blend of magical realism and historical narrative, much like Murakami’s ability to merge the surreal with the real. Rushdie’s themes of displacement, cultural identity, and the dreamlike quality of life will feel familiar to any Murakami reader.