1
by Robert Bloch
02014162 pages
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a chilling and methodical tone that will resonate with The Sympathizer fans.
10 Best Books Like The Sympathizer
If you loved The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like The Sympathizer are:
- 1Psycho by Robert Bloch0
- 2The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy4.7#1
- 3The Secret by Lee Child and Andrew Child0
- 4The Secret History by Donna Tartt0
- 5House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski0
- 6The Teacher by Frieda McFadden0
- 7The Housemaid by Freida McFadden4.5
- 8The Tenant by Freida McFadden4.2
- 9The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden4.4
- 10The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden4.2
As Saigon falls in 1975, a captain in the South Vietnamese army secretly works as a double agent for the Viet Cong, following his compatriots into exile in Los Angeles while reporting their activities to his communist handlers. Torn between two worlds and conflicted loyalties, this half-French, half-Vietnamese spy must navigate the dangerous complexities of identity, ideology, and survival in both war-torn Vietnam and immigrant America. A gripping tale of espionage and belonging that explores the lasting wounds of the Vietnam War through the eyes of a man caught between opposing sides.
We may earn a small commission from purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
Detailed Recommendations
2
The Hunt for Red October
Jack Ryan #1 (works standalone)by Tom Clancy
4.72009
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a tense and methodical tone that will resonate with The Sympathizer fans.
3
by Lee Child and Andrew Child
0
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a steady and assured tone that will resonate with The Sympathizer fans.
5
by Mark Z. Danielewski
0
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a cerebral and unnerving tone that will resonate with The Sympathizer fans.
6
by Frieda McFadden
02024
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a dark and twisty tone that will resonate with The Sympathizer fans.
7
by Freida McFadden
4.52022332 pages
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a sinister and manipulative tone that will resonate with The Sympathizer fans.
8
by Freida McFadden
4.22025368 pages
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a suspenseful and paranoid tone that will resonate with The Sympathizer fans.
9
by Freida McFadden
4.42025336 pages
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a manipulative and shocking tone that will resonate with The Sympathizer fans.
10
by Freida McFadden
4.22024400 pages
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a suspenseful and unsettling tone that will resonate with The Sympathizer fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like The Sympathizer
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psycho | Robert Bloch | 0 | 2014 | 162 | Closest match |
| The Hunt for Red October | Tom Clancy | 4.7 | 2009 | — | Similar vibes |
| The Secret | Lee Child and Andrew Child | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| The Secret History | Donna Tartt | 0 | 2011 | — | Similar vibes |
| House of Leaves | Mark Z. Danielewski | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| The Teacher | Frieda McFadden | 0 | 2024 | — | Similar vibes |
| The Housemaid | Freida McFadden | 4.5 | 2022 | 332 | Similar vibes |
| The Tenant | Freida McFadden | 4.2 | 2025 | 368 | Similar vibes |
| The Housemaid's Secret | Freida McFadden | 4.4 | 2025 | 336 | Similar vibes |
| The Housemaid Is Watching | Freida McFadden | 4.2 | 2024 | 400 | Similar vibes |
Authors Who Write Like Viet Thanh Nguyen
If you enjoy Viet Thanh Nguyen's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to The Sympathizer?
The most similar books to The Sympathizer are Psycho, The Hunt for Red October, The Secret.
What should I read after The Sympathizer?
After finishing The Sympathizer, readers most commonly pick up Psycho next.
Who writes books like Viet Thanh Nguyen?
Authors similar to Viet Thanh Nguyen include Freida McFadden, Gillian Flynn, Alex Michaelides.
What genre is The Sympathizer?
The Sympathizer is a Thriller novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen, published in 2015.
How long is The Sympathizer?
The Sympathizer is 384 pages long.
About The Sympathizer
It is April 1975, and Saigon is in chaos. At his villa, a general of the South Vietnamese army is drinking whiskey and, with the help of his trusted captain, drawing up a list of those who will be given passage aboard the last flights out of the country. The general and his compatriots start a new life in Los Angeles, unaware that one among their number, the captain, is secretly observing and reporting on the group to a higher-up in the Viet Cong. The Sympathizer is the story of this captain: a man brought up by an absent French father and a poor Vietnamese mother, a man who went to university in America, but returned to Vietnam to fight for the Communist cause. A gripping spy novel, an astute exploration of extreme politics, and a moving love story, The Sympathizer explores a life between two worlds and examines the legacy of the Vietnam War in literature, film, and the wars we fight today.