In a previous post, I looked at DeepSeek-R1's code generating capabilities. In this post, I will examine it's ability to answer a more general question.
Willy Vlautin
Willy Vlautin
Photo Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Willy Vlautin is my favorite contemporary American author. Vlautin is the author of several novels including The Motel Life, Northline, Lean on Pete, The Free, Don't Skip Out On Me, The Night Always Comes, and The Horse. He is also a songwriter and musician, recording and writing with the bands Richmond Fontaine and The Delines.
I have read all of Vlautin's novels. I decided to ask ChatGPT and DeepSeek for authors similar to Willy Vlautin.
recommend some authors similar to Willy Vlautin
First, I tried ChatGPT o1-min. Here was the response.
recommend some authors similar to Willy Vlautin
If you appreciate Willy Vlautin's gritty, character-driven narratives that delve into the struggles of everyday life, you might enjoy the following authors who explore similar themes and styles:
1. **Richard Ford**
- *Notable Works:* *The Sportswriter*, *Independence Day*
- *Why Similar:* Ford's novels often focus on the complexities of middle-class American life with deep psychological insight, much like Vlautin's exploration of working-class struggles.
2. **Denis Johnson**
- *Notable Works:* *Tree of Smoke*, *Jesus' Son*
- *Why Similar:* Johnson's writing combines lyrical prose with raw, gritty subject matter, capturing the depths of human experience in a manner reminiscent of Vlautin.
3. **Charles Bukowski**
- *Notable Works:* *Post Office*, *Factotum*
- *Why Similar:* Bukowski's semi-autobiographical novels depict the bleak and often harsh realities of life, echoing Vlautin's unflinching portrayal of his characters' lives.
4. **Raymond Carver**
- *Notable Works:* *What We Talk About When We Talk About Love*, *Cathedral*
- *Why Similar:* Carver's minimalist style and focus on ordinary, struggling individuals parallel Vlautin's narrative approach and themes.
5. **Hubert Selby Jr.**
- *Notable Works:* *Last Exit to Brooklyn*, *Requiem for a Dream*
- *Why Similar:* Selby Jr.'s intense, raw storytelling and exploration of marginalized lives align closely with Vlautin's thematic interests.
6. **John Steinbeck**
- *Notable Works:* *The Grapes of Wrath*, *East of Eden*
- *Why Similar:* Steinbeck's profound empathy for the working class and his ability to depict societal struggles resonate with Vlautin's narratives.
7. **Jonathan Tropper**
- *Notable Works:* *This Book Will Save Your Life*, *The Married Man*
- *Why Similar:* Tropper blends humor with poignant character studies, exploring personal and socioeconomic challenges in a way that complements Vlautin's storytelling.
8. **Cormac McCarthy**
- *Notable Works:* *The Road*, *No Country for Old Men*
- *Why Similar:* McCarthy's stark, powerful prose and focus on survival and morality mirror the intense, character-focused narratives found in Vlautin's work.
9. **Steve Jones**
- *Notable Works:* *Fool's Gold*, *Women’s Prison*
- *Why Similar:* Jones writes about marginalized individuals and subcultures with authenticity and depth, similar to Vlautin's focus on the fringes of society.
10. **Emma Donoghue**
- *Notable Works:* *Room*, *Frog Music*
- *Why Similar:* Donoghue's ability to delve deep into her characters' psyches and present their struggles with empathy and realism aligns well with Vlautin's literary style.
These authors offer a range of perspectives and styles that complement Willy Vlautin's focus on the human condition, societal challenges, and richly drawn characters. Exploring their works should provide a satisfying continuation of the themes and emotional depth you enjoy in Vlautin's novels.
It's a good selection of authors and they do have similar styles and themes.
Here's what the DeepSeek-R1 web version returned for the same prompt.
Willy Vlautin is known for his gritty, heartfelt novels that often explore themes of working-class struggles, loneliness, and resilience. If you enjoy his writing, you might appreciate authors with similar styles or themes. Here are a few recommendations: 1. **Larry Brown** - Known for his raw and unflinching portrayals of rural life and working-class characters, Brown's works like *Joe* and *Fay* resonate with the same emotional depth as Vlautin's. 2. **Daniel Woodrell** - Often called the "poet of the Ozarks," Woodrell's novels, such as *Winter's Bone* and *The Outlaw Album*, delve into the lives of marginalized people in rural America, much like Vlautin's stories. 3. **Kent Haruf** - Haruf's novels, including *Plainsong* and *Eventide*, focus on small-town life and the quiet struggles of ordinary people, offering a similar sense of empathy and humanity. 4. **Raymond Carver** - A master of minimalist fiction, Carver's short stories, like those in *What We Talk About When We Talk About Love*, capture the quiet desperation and resilience of everyday people. 5. **Denis Johnson** - Johnson's works, such as *Jesus' Son* and *Train Dreams*, often explore themes of addiction, redemption, and the lives of the downtrodden, with a poetic and gritty edge. 6. **Richard Ford** - Known for his *Bascombe* series and *Canada*, Ford's writing often examines the complexities of ordinary lives and the landscapes of the American West. 7. **Annie Proulx** - Proulx's novels, like *The Shipping News* and *Brokeback Mountain*, focus on the struggles of individuals in harsh environments, with a strong sense of place and character. 8. **Donald Ray Pollock** - His works, such as *The Devil All the Time* and *Knockemstiff*, are dark, gritty, and deeply rooted in the lives of working-class characters in rural America. These authors share a commitment to exploring the lives of ordinary people with compassion and authenticity, much like Willy Vlautin. If you enjoy his storytelling, you'll likely find something to appreciate in their works as well.
This seems like a good answerer and similar to ChatGPT.
I tried the same prompt on the 7B version of DeepSeek-R1.
# Default 7B model (4.7GB - ideal for consumer GPUs) $ ollama run deepseek-r1 ====================================================================== >>> recommend some authors similar to Willy Vlautin <think> Okay, so I need to find some authors similar to Willy Vlautin. Let me start by understanding what makes him unique or popular. From the previous response, it seems he's known for his dark fantasy and gothic themes with strong female leads. His writing has emotional depth and world-building that feels expansive. First, I'll think about other authors in the same genre—dark fantasy and gothic fiction. Authors like Brandon Sanderson come to mind because he's well-known for his dark fantasy, but maybe not as much for the emotional aspects. Then there's Anne Bishop; she writes urban fantasy with strong female characters, which is similar. I should also consider authors who blend fantasy with mystery or psychological elements since those could be related to Willy Vlautin's style. Maybe someone like Joe Abercrombie? He's known for dark fantasy and has strong, complex female protagonists, so that might fit. Looking at the previous suggestions, I see names like Alafarea Baumeister and TamsynIIDalglan. Those seem to be in similar sub-genres within gothic or urban fantasy. I should check if these authors are frequently compared with Vlautin. I wonder about authors who focus on dark themes but have lighter elements, so perhaps someone like Sarah Reeswig? She's written some steampunk and has strong female leads, which might be comparable. Also, there's the author "V," who wrote "The House of Hounds." That sounds like it fits into a similar speculative fiction sub-genre with strong characters and world-building. I should also think about newer authors or those who have gained popularity recently in these genres. Maybe someone like C.J. Box if they're into psychological suspense, though he's more on the thriller side. Overall, I need to compile a list of authors known for dark fantasy, gothic fiction, strong female characters, emotional depth, and well-crafted worlds. Making sure each author has elements that match Willy Vlautin's style will be key. </think> Here is a curated list of authors who share similarities with Willy Vlautin, focusing on dark fantasy, gothic fiction, strong female leads, emotional depth, and expansive world-building: 1. **Brandon Sanderson** - Renowned for his dark fantasy, though more action-oriented, his intricate worlds resonate similarly. 2. **Anne Bishop** - Known for urban fantasy with compelling female protagonists, her themes align with Vlautin's dark and atmospheric style. 3. **Joe Abercrombie** - Celebrated for dark fantasy and complex female characters, his work shares emotional and world-building depth. 4. **Alafarea Baumeister** - Specializes in gothic horror with strong narratives that evoke the same rich, mysterious atmospheres. 5. **TamsynIIDalglan** - Focuses on gothic fantasy with dark elements and complex female protagonists, fitting Willy Vlautin's style. 6. **Sarah Reeswig** - Combines steampunk with dark themes and strong female leads, offering a unique blend within speculative fiction. 7. **V** (Author of "The House of Hounds") - Known for speculative fiction with intricate worlds and compelling characters. 8. **C.J. Box** - While primarily in psychological suspense, his work delves into thriller elements suitable for Vlautin's genre overlap. Each author offers a unique perspective within their respective genres, contributing to a rich tapestry of storytelling that resonates with fans of Willy Vlautin's style.
Not even close. I would never describe Vlautin's work as dark fantasy or gothic!
I tried the same prompt with the 32B parameter model. It was slow but the results weren't bad.
$ ollama run deepseek-r1:32b
>>> recommend authors similar to Willy Vlautin
>>> recommend authors similar to Willy Vlautin <think> Okay, so I need to find authors similar to Willy Vlautin. Let me think about what makes his writing unique. He's known for gritty settings and flawed characters, often dealing with themes of isolation and the American experience. His stories have a raw, emotional intensity. First, I should consider other authors who write in a similar genre—maybe literary fiction or hardboiled crime. People like Denis Johnson come to mind because he also writes about gritty, morally complex characters. Then there's Jim Thompson; his noir style might align well with Vlautin's work. I should think about themes as well. Vlautin often explores addiction and the struggles of working-class people. Authors like Tom DePastino or George Pelecanos focus on similar issues. Oh, and Donald Ray Pollock has that gritty rural setting which could be a good match. The pacing is another aspect—Vlautin's stories move quickly with a lot of tension. Bret Easton Ellis writes in a way that's fast-paced and intense too. Maybe Raymond Chandler? He's more classic noir but still captures that edgy vibe. I should also consider the emotional depth. Richard Price has that ability to dig deep into characters' psyches, which is something Vlautin does well. Denis Johnson again fits here with his focus on damaged individuals. Some newer authors might be similar too. Jason Mott or C.E. Morgan come to mind because they deal with tough subjects and have a strong narrative voice. I need to make sure I cover a range of recommendations, not just the obvious ones. Maybe include some international authors as well, like Jo Nesbø, who has that dark, emotional storytelling style. Wait, did I miss any? Let me see—Ellison Cobb writes about addiction and isolation, which fits. And Megan Abbott's noir with psychological depth could resonate with Vlautin fans too. I think that covers a good range of authors across different sub-genres but all share elements like gritty settings, complex characters, and emotional intensity. </think> To find authors similar to Willy Vlautin, consider the following recommendations, each capturing elements of his unique style: 1. **Denis Johnson** - Known for gritty, morally complex characters and themes of isolation. 2. **Jim Thompson** - A master of noir with a focus on flawed characters in intense situations. 3. **Tom DePastino** - Explores addiction and the struggles of working-class individuals. 4. **George Pelecanos** - Focuses on urban settings and moral ambiguity, blending crime with social commentary. 5. **Donald Ray Pollock** - Offers a gritty rural perspective with dark humor and complex characters. 6. **Bret Easton Ellis** - Known for fast-paced, intense narratives exploring societal issues. 7. **Raymond Chandler** - Classic noir style with a focus on edgy, atmospheric storytelling. 8. **Richard Price** - Delves deep into characters' psyches, capturing their struggles and complexities. 9. **Jason Mott** - Deals with tough subjects like addiction and poverty with emotional depth. 10. **C.E. Morgan** - Combines lyrical prose with exploration of social issues in rural settings. 11. **Jo Nesbø** (Norway) - Offers dark, psychological crime stories with a focus on family dynamics. 12. **Ellison Cobb** - Writes about addiction and isolation, capturing the rawness of life's struggles. 13. **Megan Abbott** - Known for noir fiction with psychological depth and strong narrative tension. These authors share Vlautin's themes of gritty settings, flawed characters, emotional intensity, and exploration of complex social issues.
Not a bad list. I don't know if I would have included Jim Thompson. He novels tend to lack the sympathy for his characters that Vlautin has. I'm not familiar with some of the authors. This response gives me some new authors to check out.
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