5 Books Like The Sun Also Rises: Novels to Explore After Reading Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel, The Sun Also Rises, is a masterpiece of American literature that has captivated readers since its publication in 1926. This tale of a group of American and British expatriates traveling from Paris to Pamplona, Spain, to watch the running of the bulls and bullfighting, provides a deep and thorough exploration of the Lost Generation, disillusionment, and the human condition.

If you’re looking for other novels that capture a similar spirit and explore themes prevalent in Hemingway’s work, check out these five books that are sure to keep you enthralled and pondering the complexities of life, love, and the human spirit.

1. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

A Farewell to Arms is Hemingway’s semiautobiographical novel about an American ambulance driver in the Italian army during World War I who falls in love with a British nurse. This tragic romance explores the nature of war, love, and the disillusionment experienced by a generation who fought and lost their innocence amidst chaos and destruction. Hemingway’s trademark sparse yet poignant writing style will immerse you in the story and make you feel the pain and beauty of love during wartime.

Read or listen to A Farewell to Arms by buying it here.

2. Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel Tender is the Night tells the story of a doomed love affair between a beautiful and wealthy woman and a talented but troubled psychiatrist. Set against the backdrop of the French Riviera during the roaring 1920s, this novel delves deep into the lives of the rich and glamorous and examines the emptiness, corruption, and devastating power of love.

Read or listen to Tender is the Night by buying it here.

3. On the Road by Jack Kerouac

A seminal work of the Beat Generation, On the Road by Jack Kerouac chronicles the journey of two friends, Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty, as they crisscross the United States in search of adventure and freedom. Set during the post-World War II era, this novel explores themes of friendship, travel, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. Influenced by the disillusionment of the Lost Generation, On the Road captures the restless desire to break free from societal norms and blaze new paths.

Read or listen to On the Road by buying it here.

4. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway explores a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares for a party she’s hosting while confronting her feelings of longing and regret. The novel delves into the themes of mental illness, memory, and the passage of time. Woolf’s pioneering stream-of-consciousness narrative technique will leave a powerful impression on readers looking for a similar feeling of introspection and depth found in The Sun Also Rises.

Read or listen to Mrs. Dalloway by buying it here.

5. Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller

Tropic of Cancer is a largely autobiographical novel set in 1930s Paris that centers on the aimless existence of its protagonist, a struggling writer named Henry, as he navigates through the colorful underbelly of Parisian society. Banned in the United States until 1961 for its explicit content, this novel offers a raw and vivid exploration of sex, relationships, and the search for personal freedom. Tropic of Cancer shares the themes of disillusionment and hedonism found within The Sun Also Rises, and is a riveting read for those who crave more from the depths of human experience.

Read or listen to Tropic of Cancer by buying it here.

These five novels showcase the raw emotions and introspection found in Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. Each book offers a unique perspective on life, love, and human nature while exploring similar themes of disillusionment and personal struggle. Immerse yourself in these captivating stories and gain new insights into the complexities of the human experience.