Chances are you’ve of Isabel Allende’s classic novel, The House of the Spirits. But in case you haven’t: this timeless novel tells the story of four generations of the Trueba family as they experience loss, love, political upheaval, and the salvation of magical realism. Allende’s debut novel, rocketed her to stardom when it was published in the 1980s after the author had hustled to make a living in various other lines of work.
If you loved The House of the Spirits, though, it’s likely you’re looking for a similar book to add to your TBR list, which means you’ve come to the right place. Here are our ten best books to read if you loved The House of the Spirits.
10. My Ántonia by Willa Cather
ISBN: 9781583485095
This classic novel of American literature comes from one of Americana’s most quintessential writers. (F. Scott Fitzgerald said that Cather was one of his strongest influences!)
It tells the story of a young woman named Ántonia whose family immigrated to rural Nebraska in the hopes of settling the land and starting a farm at the end of the 19th century.
Its themes of childhood enchantment and desperation, as well as its multi-generational perspective, make it a strong spiritual ancestor to Allende’s classic, and a must-read for anyone who loved The House of the Spirits.
Why we recommend it: I love the sparse writing and the quietly emotional characterization in this novel, which is one of my favorites.
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9. Trust by Hernan Diaz
ISBN: 9780593420317
Told through a series of four differing narratives, this novel was the winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. And it’s easy to see why: Trust is a mind-bending exploration of gender, of sanity, of greed, and societal ills.
The epic scope of this novel and its social themes make it a fantastic companion piece to The House of the Spirits.
Why we recommend it: I loved how the alternating perspectives in this novel unraveled the narrative. Spellbinding.
8. From Savagery by Alejandra Banca
ISBN: 9781632063588
This collection of short stories recounts the interwoven lives of various characters in Barcelona, many of whom are Venezuelan immigrants looking for a better life.
The dark realities and complex characterization in this book mirror many of the techniques used by Allende in The House of the Spirits, and make it a great recommendation for anyone who loved Allende’s debut.
Why we recommend it: I was gripped by the narrative surprises and complicated characters in this astounding debut.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter7. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
ISBN: 9780679760801
This modern classic of Russian literature is a hilarious and twisted imagining of what happens when Satan appears before a bourgeois audience in the Stalinist Soviet Union, and its themes and range make it an excellent choice for readers who love The House of the Spirits.
Why we recommend it: I loved the humor and strangeness in this novel, which is being adapted for the big screen!
6. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
ISBN: 9781594489587
Junot Diaz’s contemporary classic tells the story of a teenage boy named Oscar who is obsessed with sci-fi and deeply romantic. On top of these qualities, Oscar is also intensely preoccupied with escaping the curse that has damned his family for years.
Spanning numerous generations and continents, from the Dominican Republic to New Jersey, this novel is a spellbinding must-read for anyone who loved The House of the Spirits.
Why we recommend it: I love the prose in this book, as well as the fascinating and heartbreaking historical contest of the Trujillo dictatorship.
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5. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
ISBN: 9780679457312
This gripping and tragic book follows a family in Kerala, India, across differing time frames, to paint poignant questions about inheritance, family, and loss.
Why we recommend it: I love the writing style in this book, which broke my heart in the best ways.
4. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez
ISBN: 9781400034680
This poetic classic of historical fiction considers love, connection, and obsession in a beautiful tropical setting, making it a fantastic atmospheric pairing to The House of the Spirits.
Why we recommend it: I loved the character development and the abundant, descriptive writing.
3. The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
ISBN: 9780802142818
This complex novel alternates between the United States and India and past and present. Its intricate style and storytelling make it a must-read for anyone who loves Allende’s work.
Why we recommend it: I was fascinated by the perspectives in this book, which absolutely broadened my worldview and challenged my own point of view.
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2. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
ISBN: 9786022914969
This hopeful story is filled with magical realism. Tita loves to book, but there’s a catch: everything she cooks is infused with her emotional state.
The multi-generational focus of this novel makes it a compelling parallel to The House of the Spirits.
Why we recommend it: I adored the atmosphere and optimistic perspective of this novel.
1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
ISBN: 9798200952090
This novel is the classic of magical realism and was a deep influence on Allende as she wrote her own debut. (And its small-screen adaptation is receiving rave reviews!) It follows the Buendía family across generations in the magical town of Macondo.
Why we recommend it: I love the atmosphere and emotional arcs in this novel.
These are our ten best books for readers who loved The House of the Spirits. What do you think? Did we miss one of your favorites? Leave a comment and let us know what you recommend!
As always, happy reading!
