If you enjoy reading books by Hilary Mantel then you might also like the following authors:
Pat Barker is an author known for her vivid historical novels. One of her best-known works, “The Silence of the Girls,” retells the events of the Trojan War through the eyes of Briseis, a woman captured by the Greek hero Achilles.
The book shifts the focus away from the warriors, exploring the lives of women caught in the chaos of war. Briseis, once a queen, becomes a slave and must navigate a world where her voice is often ignored.
The writing pulls the reader into her experiences, giving an emotional look at survival and resilience in a brutal time.
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author known for her sharp storytelling and thought-provoking themes. One of her famous books, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is set in a dystopian future where a totalitarian regime has taken over.
The story follows Offred, a woman forced into the role of a Handmaid, whose sole purpose is to produce children for the ruling class. The book explores power, oppression, and survival through Offred’s experiences in a world stripped of personal freedoms.
Atwood’s writing pulls readers into this dark and hauntingly believable society, making it hard to look away.
Rose Tremain is a British author known for her richly imagined historical novels. One of her standout works, “Restoration,” is set in 17th-century England during the reign of Charles II.
The story follows Robert Merivel, a physician who rises to favor at court but loses his way in the extravagance and vanity of royal life. The book captures the chaos of the Restoration era, as Merivel faces both personal downfall and the harsh realities of plague and war.
It’s a vivid and engaging journey through a fascinating time in history.
“Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel follows the rise of Thomas Cromwell in the court of King Henry VIII. Mantel focuses on Cromwell’s sharp mind and his influence on Tudor politics. For fans of her historical style, you might enjoy Sarah Dunant’s “The Birth of Venus.”
Set in Renaissance Florence, it tells the story of Alessandra, a young woman with a passion for painting, navigating a world shaped by art, religion, and politics.
There’s a mysterious fresco artist who comes into her life, and the story weaves her struggles with her own ambitions and desires. It’s rich in historical detail, capturing a similar sense of a complex world in transition, much like Mantel’s work.
Sarah Dunant is an author known for her historical novels, often set in Renaissance Italy. In her book “The Birth of Venus,” she brings 15th-century Florence to life.
The story follows Alessandra Cecchi, a young woman with a passion for art who struggles against the constraints of her time.
Against the backdrop of political unrest and the rise of religious fanaticism, Alessandra’s life takes unexpected turns when a mysterious painter arrives to work on her family’s chapel.
The novel weaves art, politics, and forbidden desires into a vivid portrait of a world in flux.
Dame Penelope Lively is an author known for her thoughtful exploration of history, memory, and the interplay between personal lives and larger events.
In her novel “Moon Tiger,” the story follows Claudia Hampton, a sharp-tongued historian reflecting on her life from her deathbed. The book moves through different points in her life, including her experiences during World War II and a poignant love affair in Egypt.
Lively’s ability to weave intimate moments with historical backdrops creates a vivid sense of time and place. It’s a story that lingers, offering glimpses of love, loss, and the way people shape and are shaped by history.
Tracy Chevalier is an author known for historical novels that bring the past to life through vivid characters and richly imagined settings.
One of her best-known books, “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” explores the world of 17th-century Delft, centering on a young girl named Griet who becomes a maid in the household of the painter Vermeer.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of his growing success, the tensions within his family, and the creation of one of his most famous paintings. Readers who enjoy historical detail and complex human relationships might find her work fascinating.
Sebastian Faulks is a writer known for his rich historical novels. One of his most famous works, “Birdsong,” is set during World War I.
The story follows Stephen Wraysford, a young Englishman, as he experiences the horrors of the trenches while haunted by memories of a passionate love affair in pre-war France.
The book shifts between his time in the war and the modern-day search of a woman uncovering her family’s past. Faulks paints vivid scenes of both human connection and the brutal realities of war, creating a story that feels deeply personal.
Fans of Hilary Mantel’s historical depth and character-driven narratives might enjoy the world Faulks brings to life.
Robert Harris is an author known for creating historical novels with vivid settings and rich detail. One of his standout works is “An Officer and a Spy,” which tells the story of the Dreyfus Affair in late 19th-century France.
The book follows Georges Picquart, a French officer who uncovers evidence that the conviction of Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish captain accused of treason, was based on falsified information.
As Picquart pushes to reveal the truth, he faces immense personal risk, exposing the corruption and prejudice within the French military. Harris brings history to life in a way that feels immediate and engaging.
Jeanette Winterson is an author known for her bold storytelling and inventive narratives. Her book, “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit,” tells the story of a young girl, Jeanette, who grows up in a strict religious household.
Her adoptive mother is deeply devout and believes Jeanette is destined to be a missionary. As Jeanette comes of age, she begins to question the beliefs she’s been raised with and discovers her own identity, which conflicts with her mother’s expectations.
The novel explores family dynamics, individuality, and the struggle for self-acceptance in a world that demands conformity. It’s a deeply personal and thought-provoking tale.
Colm Tóibín is an Irish writer known for creating rich, character-driven stories. One of his books, “Brooklyn,” tells the story of Eilis Lacey, a young woman who moves from a small Irish town to Brooklyn in the 1950s.
She finds herself torn between her life in America and the ties she left behind in Ireland. The book explores her choices, from starting a new job to falling in love, with a focus on her inner struggles and the pull of home.
Antonia Fraser is a historian and author known for her works on powerful figures and dramatic moments in history. One of her most well-loved books, “Mary, Queen of Scots,” dives into the turbulent life of the young Scottish queen.
It follows her journey from her early days as a queen in France to her return to Scotland, where betrayal and political conflict shaped her fate. Fraser paints a vivid picture of Mary’s relationships, her struggles with enemies, and her ultimate downfall.
Fans of Hilary Mantel may enjoy Fraser’s ability to bring historical figures to life with vivid detail and a focus on personal stories.
Sarah Waters is a British author known for historical novels that often explore hidden lives and secrets. Her book “Fingersmith” is a twist-filled tale set in Victorian England.
It begins with a young woman, Sue, raised among petty thieves, who agrees to help con a rich heiress out of her fortune. The story takes unexpected turns, full of betrayal and shifting loyalties, with settings that range from a grimy London underworld to a secluded mansion.
Waters brings the period to life with vivid detail and layered characters.
Simon Mawer is an author known for crafting richly detailed historical novels. One of his most celebrated works, “The Glass Room,” tells the story of a modernist house in Czechoslovakia and the lives it touches over decades of political change.
The novel follows Viktor and Liesel Landauer, a couple who commission the striking villa, only to see their lives and the house swept up in the storms of World War II. The house itself becomes a symbol of resilience, reflecting the transformations of its many inhabitants.
Fans of Hilary Mantel may appreciate Mawer’s focus on historical detail and deeply human characters.
Geraldine Brooks is known for bringing history to life through richly imagined stories. One of her standout novels, “Year of Wonders,” is set during the plague year of 1666 in a small English village.
The story focuses on Anna, a young widow, as she navigates a community unraveling under the weight of fear and superstition.
The novel captures the struggles of ordinary people living through extraordinary times, with moments of resilience and unexpected kindness shining through the darkest days.