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:
Readers who enjoy Hilary Mantel might also appreciate Bernard Cornwell, a historical fiction author known for vivid storytelling and detailed battle scenes.
His novel The Last Kingdom introduces readers to Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a warrior torn between his Saxon heritage and his Danish upbringing. Set in ninth-century England, this book brings historical conflicts and cultural clashes to life.
Cornwell captures the brutality, honor, and loyalty of a land deep in turmoil. For readers fascinated by political struggles and immersive medieval worlds, Bernard Cornwell offers a compelling journey.
Readers who enjoyed Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall will appreciate the immersive historical mysteries of C.J. Sansom. His book, Dissolution, introduces readers to lawyer Matthew Shardlake, tasked with investigating a troubling murder in a remote monastery.
Set during Henry VIII’s turbulent reign, the monastery hides dark secrets and moral complexities, making Shardlake’s job even harder. Sansom combines vivid storytelling with authentic historical detail, bringing Tudor England vividly to life.
Fans of Mantel’s nuanced characters and political drama will find similar satisfaction in Sansom’s richly drawn detective mysteries.
Readers who enjoy Hilary Mantel’s detailed exploration of historical figures might find Margaret George equally engaging. George brings historical characters vividly to life, carefully blending in-depth research with captivating storytelling.
Her novel The Autobiography of Henry VIII portrays the infamous monarch from his own candid perspective. Henry reflects on his controversial decisions, personal ambitions, and complex relationships with the six women who shaped his reign.
The narrative moves gracefully between his political life and personal turmoil. It provides a fresh take on a king whose actions still echo in history. Margaret George’s vivid style offers an intimate portrayal of one of England’s most notorious rulers.
Readers who enjoyed Hilary Mantel’s rich and vivid historical novels will find Philippa Gregory equally engaging. Gregory specializes in bringing to life strong female characters from British history, especially the Tudors and Plantagenets.
In her book The Other Boleyn Girl, Gregory introduces Mary Boleyn, the less famous sister of Anne Boleyn. The novel provides a close and personal look at the rivalry, ambition, and dangerous politics within King Henry VIII’s court.
Gregory skillfully portrays the tension between personal desires and power struggles, making historical events feel intimate and immediate.
Books by Robert Harris often focus on historical events, with an eye for detail and vivid storytelling that readers of Hilary Mantel might appreciate. Harris’s novel Imperium explores the political rise of Cicero, who becomes one of Rome’s most influential figures and orators.
The story, narrated through the eyes of Cicero’s loyal secretary Tiro, takes readers deep into the unpredictable world of Roman politics, courtroom dramas, and intrigues of power.
If you enjoyed the complex political maneuverings and rich historical atmosphere of Mantel’s work, Harris’s portrayal of ancient Rome and Cicero’s struggles could be just as engaging.
If you enjoy Hilary Mantel’s vivid historical storytelling, Elizabeth Chadwick provides another excellent journey into medieval life and intrigue.
Chadwick’s novel The Greatest Knight brings to life the legendary William Marshal, a knight who rises from humble beginnings to become one of England’s most trusted figures.
Marshal serves five English kings, navigates through dangerous court politics, battles fiercely, and finds himself entangled in heart-wrenching loyalty and honor dilemmas.
With rich historical detail and compelling character portrayals, Chadwick immerses you in the turbulent and dramatic events of the Middle Ages.
Iain Pears is a British author known for historical novels filled with vivid detail, clever narratives, and memorable characters.
Readers who enjoyed Hilary Mantel’s insights into ambitious figures facing moral dilemmas and political intrigue will appreciate Pears’ book An Instance of the Fingerpost.
The novel takes place in 17th-century Oxford, revolving around a mysterious murder and the accounts of four different narrators. Each testimony reveals competing truths, hidden motives, and surprising twists, setting up a suspenseful exploration of history and human nature.
Pears doesn’t shy away from the darker side of power struggles and secrecy, much as Mantel portrays in her depiction of Thomas Cromwell’s world.
Umberto Eco was an Italian novelist and scholar known for his historical depth and vivid storytelling. If you enjoyed Hilary Mantel’s ability to recreate history through complex characters and layered plots, Eco’s novel The Name of the Rose may appeal to you.
Set in the 14th century, this historical mystery follows William of Baskerville, a Franciscan friar who arrives at an isolated monastery. Amidst theological debates and hidden tensions, several monks perish under mysterious circumstances.
William investigates these puzzling deaths while unraveling a web of secrecy, forbidden knowledge, and complex medieval politics. Eco masterfully blends philosophy, historical detail, and suspense to create an atmospheric thriller that immerses readers in the medieval world.
Readers who enjoy Hilary Mantel’s rich blend of history and storytelling might appreciate Anya Seton. Seton’s historical novels bring vivid characters and authentic settings to life, especially in her popular novel Katherine.
This book follows Katherine Swynford, a real-life figure from 14th-century England, whose passionate romance with John of Gaunt shapes English history. Seton combines meticulous research with emotional depth.
She portrays compelling court dramas and rich medieval details that fans of Mantel would likely appreciate.
Readers who enjoy Hilary Mantel’s vivid historical novels may appreciate Colleen McCullough’s portrayal of ancient Rome in The First Man in Rome. McCullough carefully reconstructs the late Roman Republic era, filled with political rivalries and shifting loyalties.
The story follows Gaius Marius, a powerful general whose ambitions challenge the established aristocracy. Detailed personalities, fierce political battles, and complex relationships drive the narrative.
Like Mantel’s depictions of Thomas Cromwell, McCullough brings historical figures such as Marius and Sulla to life in fascinating detail.
If you enjoy Hilary Mantel’s vivid explorations of history and politics, Conn Iggulden offers another rich and exciting historical journey. In his novel The Gates of Rome, Iggulden brings ancient Rome to life with a fresh, gripping portrayal of the young Julius Caesar.
We meet Caesar as a boy named Gaius, growing up on his family estate outside Rome. There, he and his childhood companion Marcus learn crucial lessons of friendship, honor, and survival.
As they mature, Rome’s complex politics and ruthless ambition shape their lives, laying the foundations for Caesar’s eventual rise to greatness.
Iggulden expertly blends vivid historical detail, compelling character relationships, and sharp political intrigue into a novel that captures the essence of ancient power struggles.
If you enjoy Hilary Mantel’s detailed historical settings and sharp character portrayals, Dorothy Dunnett might capture your interest as well. Dorothy Dunnett is known for weaving vibrant historical worlds filled with vivid personalities and complex plotlines.
Her novel The Game of Kings, set amid the political tensions of 16th-century Scotland, introduces Francis Crawford of Lymond, a charismatic yet mysterious nobleman returning home after exile.
As Scotland faces invasion threats and internal struggles, Lymond must navigate dangerous intrigues, personal betrayals, and family drama.
Dunnett fills her stories with nuanced historical detail, intricate plots, and memorable dialogue—qualities certain to resonate with Mantel readers.
Books by Edward Rutherfurd offer rich historical sagas that transport readers across generations and locations through vividly imagined family stories. If you enjoyed Hilary Mantel, Edward Rutherfurd could provide another perspective on intriguing historical eras.
His novel Paris tells a captivating story about several families whose lives intertwine over the course of centuries. The novel begins in medieval Paris and moves right through to the modern age.
Readers witness the building of Notre Dame, experience the passion and danger of the French Revolution, and follow characters through wars, romance, triumph, and tragedy.
Rutherfurd’s detailed storytelling brings history alive through fictional narratives that closely reflect real historical events.
Books by Jean Plaidy offer historical fiction readers another great choice, especially if you enjoyed Hilary Mantel. Plaidy specializes in vivid accounts of royal figures and pivotal moments in British history.
Her novel The Other Boleyn Girl focuses on Mary Boleyn, sister to Anne, who struggles with loyalty and ambition within the dangerous realm of Henry VIII’s court.
Readers experience the tension, intrigue, and betrayal behind palace walls as Mary’s life becomes entwined with the king’s complicated desires. Plaidy delivers a clear-eyed, detailed portrait of power, romance, and family drama during one of England’s most turbulent periods.
Ken Follett is a British author famous for sweeping historical fiction blended with drama and meticulous research. If you enjoy Hilary Mantel’s vivid storytelling and careful depiction of different historical eras, then Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth may appeal to you.
Set in 12th-century England, the book tells the story of a master-builder named Tom, whose lifelong dream is to build a grand cathedral. However, his journey constantly crosses paths with politics, rivalry, betrayal and love.
The novel brings medieval England vividly to life by portraying the complexities of church politics, power struggles and the enduring ambition of ordinary people. Follett’s characters are richly developed and the narrative keeps you emotionally invested from start to finish.