John Mandeville was a medieval English author known primarily for travel writing. His best-known work, The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, narrates fantastic journeys through exotic lands and greatly influenced Europe's understanding of distant places.
If you enjoy reading books by John Mandeville then you might also like the following authors:
Marco Polo was a medieval Venetian traveler whose writings describe his remarkable journey through Asia. Like John Mandeville, he mixes direct observation with fascinating details from local stories, combining geography, culture, and legend.
His book, The Travels of Marco Polo, offers readers vivid accounts of China, Japan, and numerous other previously unfamiliar lands, opening a window into the distant and exotic East.
Odoric of Pordenone, a Franciscan friar, traveled extensively in Asia during the early 14th century. Similar to Mandeville, his account blends practical descriptions of his journeys with entertaining, sometimes exaggerated anecdotes.
His work, The Travels of Friar Odoric, brings to life the customs, foods, cities, and natural wonders he encountered, making it both informative and enjoyable to read.
Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan scholar who journeyed across Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe in the 14th century, creating detailed and lively descriptions of the peoples, places, and cultures he encountered.
Ibn Battuta shares Mandeville's interest in how local customs shape people's lives. His book, the Rihla (The Journey), offers readers a rich and vivid view of medieval Islamic societies.
Gerald of Wales was a medieval cleric and chronicler whose writings explore the culture, geography, and folklore of Ireland and Wales. Like Mandeville, Gerald focuses on both real details and imaginative tales.
His book, The History and Topography of Ireland, is full of colorful anecdotes, mythical creatures, and detailed observations of everyday life, capturing the atmosphere and beliefs of its time.
Pliny the Elder was an ancient Roman scholar known for his expansive work Natural History. Like John Mandeville, Pliny blends careful descriptions of the natural world with startling and entertaining stories of fantastic creatures and far-away peoples.
His work offers readers both useful knowledge and enjoyable accounts that fuel curiosity about the unknown world.
Solinus collected fascinating details about distant lands and unusual customs in his work Collectanea rerum memorabilium. He presented an imaginative blend of geography, folklore, and wonders, much like Mandeville's travel narratives.
If you're intrigued by legendary lands and strange tales, Solinus offers plenty to enjoy.
Herodotus is known as the "Father of History" for his love of storytelling and exploration of different cultures in The Histories. His descriptions include colorful anecdotes, myths, and keen observations of people and places he encountered.
If Mandeville's vivid storytelling appeals to you, Herodotus' engaging and imaginative style will be equally enjoyable.
Lucian of Samosata used wit, humor, and satire to explore fantastic adventures and imaginative realms, particularly in his work A True Story. This humorous tale features travels to bizarre islands, encounters with strange creatures, and even voyages to the moon.
Fans of Mandeville's exaggerated travel adventures will appreciate Lucian's playful storytelling and creative imagination.
Prester John is a legendary figure whose mythical kingdom captured the imagination of medieval Europe. The famed Letter of Prester John describes a fabulous and wealthy Christian empire in far-off lands filled with wonders and miracles.
Readers drawn to Mandeville's mix of fact and fantastical tales will enjoy exploring this intriguing medieval legend.
Richard Hakluyt was an English scholar who compiled accounts of voyages and explorations in his extensive collection The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation.
He shared a spirit of curiosity and enthusiasm for discovering unknown territories, much like Mandeville. Readers who appreciate firsthand narratives of adventures and exploration will find Hakluyt's collection captivating.
Samuel Purchas was an English author and traveler who collected and published fascinating travel accounts from explorers and adventurers. His writing offers vivid descriptions of distant lands, cultures, and customs.
If you enjoyed John Mandeville's imaginative exploration of the unknown, you'll likely appreciate Purchas's expansive work, Purchas His Pilgrimes, a massive anthology gathering stories of discovery and travel across the globe.
Thomas Malory was an English writer who compiled legendary tales of knights, chivalry, and adventure. His famous work, Le Morte d'Arthur, tells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Malory brings a sense of wonder, heroism, and romance to his storytelling.
If you're drawn to the medieval, imaginative storytelling of Mandeville, you'll find Malory's tales similarly filled with adventure and legend.
Italo Calvino was a modern Italian writer known for playful narratives and imaginative storytelling. He blends fantasy, history, and literary exploration, especially in his book Invisible Cities.
Calvino uses bold imagination to present the traveler Marco Polo describing fantastic, imaginary cities to Kublai Khan. Like Mandeville, Calvino presents his readers with the wonder of unknown worlds and the creativity of exploring them.
Jonathan Swift was an Irish writer famous for his satirical perspective on society and human nature. He combines imaginative journeys with biting commentary in his notable work, Gulliver's Travels.
Like John Mandeville, Swift presents foreign lands filled with strange people and peculiar customs, using these adventures to reflect on the absurdities of his own society.
Washington Irving was an American writer known for his engaging storytelling, rich descriptions, and gentle humor. His imaginative tales often blend elements of legend and folklore, creating stories that charm readers with a sense of wonder.
His collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. includes stories such as Rip Van Winkle, which transport readers to intriguing, semi-mythical settings.
If you enjoy the sense of discovery, adventure, and curiosity found in Mandeville's tales, Irving's stories will also pique your imagination.