R. F. Delderfield was known for historical fiction capturing English life and society. Novels such as To Serve Them All My Days and A Horseman Riding By brought him popularity.
If you enjoy reading books by R. F. Delderfield then you might also like the following authors:
Winston Graham is an excellent choice if you've enjoyed Delderfield's historical novels filled with vivid characters and detailed settings. Graham skillfully portrays personal relationships, social changes, and turbulent historical periods.
His popular series beginning with Ross Poldark captures life in 18th-century Cornwall, blending romance, drama, and history into an appealing story.
Howard Spring is another author who shares common ground with Delderfield. His novels often focus on generations within one family, highlighting personal struggles, ambition, and changing social values in Britain.
In Fame Is the Spur, Spring explores political idealism and ambition through the life of politician Hamer Shawcross, weaving together historical events and compelling family drama.
Nevil Shute would likely resonate with readers fond of Delderfield's grounded storytelling and relatable characters facing extraordinary circumstances. Shute writes clearly and sensitively, using realism to enhance the impact of his themes.
His novel A Town Like Alice is a moving story about resilience and love, spanning World War II experiences to post-war community rebuilding in the Australian outback.
If you appreciate Delderfield's depiction of family sagas set against shifting historical landscapes, then John Galsworthy might appeal to you. His work, particularly the classic The Forsyte Saga, charts the trials and dramas of the Forsyte family across generations.
Galsworthy's writing style is elegant yet accessible, centered on social issues, family dynamics, and personal morality.
Susan Howatch creates absorbing stories similar to Delderfield, giving careful attention to detailed characters, emotional depth, and complex family relationships.
In her novel Penmarric, Howatch portrays the life of one family in Cornwall, set over decades and echoing events from England’s medieval past. Her novels often explore power struggles, secrets, and the impacts of family ties on individual lives.
Maeve Binchy writes warm, character-driven stories set in small Irish communities. Her novels explore family bonds, friendships, ordinary life dramas, and love stories with warmth and gentle humor.
One of her most beloved books is Circle of Friends, which follows the friendship and growth of young women in a small Irish town, capturing everyday struggles and triumphs.
Rosamunde Pilcher creates stories filled with richly drawn characters, cozy settings, and emotional depth. She often explores relationships, family secrets, and nostalgic themes, usually set against idyllic English or Scottish countryside landscapes.
The Shell Seekers stands out as her most beloved work, centered around family dynamics, memories, and the lasting bonds that shape our lives.
Ken Follett is known for epic historical fiction filled with detailed settings and multiple intertwined characters. Follett captures major historical events by placing fictional characters at their center, creating exciting stories of adventure, romance, and intrigue.
His popular novel The Pillars of the Earth explores the construction of a medieval cathedral and vividly portrays the lives, ambitions, and struggles of both common people and powerful figures.
Edward Rutherfurd writes sweeping historical sagas that span generations. His stories typically cover centuries of history through the lives of richly drawn fictional families.
Through them readers experience the evolution of cities and cultures, witnessing how historical events shape people's lives. Sarum, for instance, chronicles the history of southern England from ancient times to modern day through intertwined generational storylines.
Jeffrey Archer writes fast-paced novels with polished storytelling and clever plot twists. He blends historical detail, drama, and suspense with compelling characters, keeping readers hooked till the last page.
In his popular book Kane and Abel, Archer tells the story of two ambitious men, born worlds apart, whose rivalry and intertwined destinies span across decades of twentieth-century history.
If you enjoy R. F. Delderfield, you might also appreciate Catherine Cookson. Her novels explore family drama, social hardship, and resilience in historical settings. She often portrays vivid characters confronting life's trials within England's working-class communities.
Her book The Fifteen Streets is a powerful and heartfelt story of love and struggle in early 20th-century England.
Elizabeth Jane Howard's novels capture detailed family dynamics and relationships, much like Delderfield's stories. She is known for her sharp insights into human emotions and nuanced characterizations.
Her series starting with The Light Years, part of the Cazalet Chronicles, follows a wealthy family as they navigate life during wartime and the years that follow.
Barbara Taylor Bradford writes absorbing family novels filled with ambition, secrets, and drama. Her storytelling highlights strong, determined characters who face difficult circumstances with courage, much as Delderfield does.
Her bestseller A Woman of Substance portrays a woman's journey from hardship to immense business success, focusing on determination and resilience.
Like Delderfield, Penny Vincenzi delivers rich family sagas with multiple interwoven storylines, capturing family connections, ambitions, and moral dilemmas. Her characters are memorable and engaging, dealing with complex situations and personal growth.
Her novel No Angel, the first book of the Spoils of Time trilogy, charts the life of strong-willed Celia Lytton during a period of immense social change.
Colleen McCullough offers detailed historical narratives and character-centered storytelling similar to Delderfield's style. Her novels often include sweeping background, compelling characters driven by strong desires and emotions, and careful attention to period details.
Her acclaimed novel The Thorn Birds vividly follows a family's life on an Australian sheep station, entangled with forbidden love and deep emotional conflicts.