Hilary Mantel was celebrated for historical fiction, particularly her acclaimed novel Wolf Hall. She brought new life to Tudor England through vivid storytelling and complex characters.
If you enjoy reading books by Hilary Mantel then you might also like the following authors:
Philippa Gregory writes historical fiction that often highlights the lives and struggles of women in the Tudor and Plantagenet eras. Her narratives vividly portray personal dramas and historical events through immersive storytelling.
Gregory's rich portrayals draw you into the inner worlds of royal courts, secrets, and ambitions, as in her popular novel The Other Boleyn Girl.
Alison Weir offers both historical nonfiction and carefully researched fictional narratives. She clearly brings history to life, focusing especially on detailed portrayals of key historical figures.
Readers who enjoy exploring complex historical personalities would appreciate her novel Innocent Traitor, which thoughtfully depicts the tragic fate of Lady Jane Grey.
C.J. Sansom specializes in historical mysteries set in the gritty political atmosphere of Tudor England. His compelling character Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer solving crimes amid court intrigue, anchors these narratives.
If you appreciate history blended with suspense and mystery, begin with Sansom's Dissolution, the first book in his engaging series.
Dorothy Dunnett writes ambitious historical adventures full of detailed plotting, vibrant settings, and multi-layered characters. Her novels take readers through finely drawn European landscapes, filled with intrigue, cultural detail, and compelling heroes.
Try her novel The Game of Kings, the exciting introduction to The Lymond Chronicles that showcases her talent for storytelling and world-building.
Margaret George writes sweeping historical novels told from the perspectives of important but often misunderstood historical figures. Her writing captures an intimate and vivid portrayal of their lives, struggles, and emotional depths.
You might enjoy The Autobiography of Henry VIII, a work that brilliantly humanizes one of England's most complex kings.
Sarah Dunant writes historical fiction filled with vivid detail and strong characterization. Her storytelling makes past eras feel immediate and alive.
In The Birth of Venus, Dunant explores 15th-century Florence through Alessandra Cecchi, a young woman eager to defy society's expectations. Readers who appreciate Hilary Mantel’s immersive historical narratives will find Dunant similarly engaging.
Rose Tremain's novels delve deeply into human emotion and historical atmosphere. She crafts moving stories about complex characters, often caught in challenging times.
In Restoration, she brings 17th-century England to life through the experiences of Robert Merivel, a physician drawn into the lavish court of Charles II. Like Mantel, Tremain balances historical accuracy with insightful psychological portraits.
Penelope Fitzgerald writes quietly powerful novels marked by elegance, subtle humor, and careful observation. Her historical fiction is spare yet emotionally expressive.
The Blue Flower follows the young German poet Novalis in the late 18th century, gently exploring romantic longing and social constraints. Readers who admire Mantel’s intellectual depth and attention to historical detail will appreciate Fitzgerald’s understated brilliance.
Pat Barker confronts history's difficult and emotionally charged moments. Her direct, clear writing style examines trauma, memory, and conflict through deeply human characters.
In Regeneration, Barker portrays the psychological aftermath of World War I on soldiers and doctors in a military hospital. If you appreciate Hilary Mantel’s psychological depth and incisive examination of history, Barker’s narratives will resonate with you.
Kazuo Ishiguro creates thoughtful, emotionally resonant novels with a delicate, understated style. His stories often explore memory, regret, and identity, revealing subtle shifts beneath their calm surfaces.
In The Remains of the Day, Ishiguro follows Stevens, an English butler reflecting on loyalty, dignity, and personal sacrifice between the world wars.
Fans of Mantel’s nuanced evocation of character and her thoughtful exploration of inner lives will find much to value in Ishiguro’s writing.
Umberto Eco crafts historical fiction rich with detail, clever puzzles, and compelling philosophical themes. His novel The Name of the Rose weaves a medieval murder mystery filled with intricate discussions of religion, logic, and humanity.
Like Mantel, Eco transports readers vividly into historical periods, combining literary depth with an absorbing plot.
Geraldine Brooks writes historical fiction infused with emotional depth and careful research. In her novel Year of Wonders, she paints a moving portrait of a seventeenth-century English village struck by plague.
Brooks sensitively explores themes of community, loss, resilience, and moral courage, perfect for readers who appreciate Mantel's thoughtful character studies in historical settings.
Ken Follett excels at creating grand historical narratives with sweeping plots and richly drawn characters. In The Pillars of the Earth, he immerses readers in the dramatic saga of building a medieval English cathedral, blending human drama with vivid historical realism.
Follett will appeal to Mantel's fans who enjoy immersive storytelling on a large historical canvas.
Sharon Kay Penman's novels bring history to life with vivid portrayals of real historical figures. In The Sunne in Splendour, she presents a balanced, sympathetic portrayal of Richard III, exploring political tensions, human ambition, and internal struggles.
Readers loving Mantel’s detailed depiction of historical personalities will appreciate Penman's thoughtful approach and accurate storytelling.
Elizabeth Fremantle specializes in historical fiction that highlights lesser-known historical women, offering intimate portraits of their inner struggles and hopes.
Queen's Gambit explores the life of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's final wife, showing her political savvy and personal resilience amidst a dangerous court.
Fremantle shares Mantel's talent for bringing historical women’s experiences vividly into focus, blending historical accuracy with emotional depth.