Sara Maitland is a British author known for her imaginative fiction and insightful essays. She explores spirituality and storytelling, notably in her works A Book of Silence and Gossip from the Forest.
If you enjoy reading books by Sara Maitland then you might also like the following authors:
Angela Carter creates vivid stories filled with dark, imaginative transformations of fairy tales and myths. Her writing is lush but accessible, often exploring gender roles, identity, and the power hidden in traditional tales.
If you enjoy Sara Maitland's interest in retelling folklore, Carter's collection The Bloody Chamber might appeal to you. It reinvents classic fairytales, sometimes unsettling, always fascinating.
A. S. Byatt writes elegantly, blending literature, history, and fantasy in smart, reflective novels. Like Maitland, Byatt explores storytelling, myth, and the layers of meaning in traditional tales.
Her novel Possession follows two scholars uncovering a hidden romantic connection between two Victorian poets, weaving myth, poetry, and narrative in unique ways readers will appreciate.
Jeanette Winterson's writing is poetic yet direct, often blending reality and fantasy. Her characters grapple with identity, love, and the meaning they find or make for themselves.
Readers fond of Maitland's narrative sensibility might enjoy Winterson's novel Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, a coming-of-age story about breaking boundaries, challenging traditions, and seeking personal truth.
Margaret Atwood writes compelling, thought-provoking stories that often question society, identity, and women's roles.
Her work frequently uses imaginative or speculative settings to reflect on real-life issues, similar to how Maitland sometimes uses fantasy to explore deeper truths.
Readers might enjoy Atwood's novel The Handmaid's Tale, a powerful, unsettling story about freedom, identity, and oppression.
Marina Warner is both an exceptional novelist and an insightful scholar of myths and fairy tales. Her works combine rich storytelling with thoughtful exploration of myth, legend, and folklore.
If you love Maitland's thoughtful interpretations of mythology and storytelling traditions, check out Warner's Indigo, a novel that re-imagines Shakespeare's The Tempest, exploring power, colonialism, and the mysteries within stories themselves.
Helen Oyeyemi writes imaginative and lyrical stories that blend fairy tales, myths, and reality in surprising ways. Her books often explore identity, folklore, and family relationships, with a playful sense of mystery.
A good example is The Icarus Girl, which follows a young girl who meets a mischievous new friend, leading to unusual and haunting consequences.
Alice Hoffman's novels combine realism with magical elements in emotionally resonant stories about love, family, and community. Her writing feels gentle but powerful, bringing everyday moments to life with subtle enchantment.
A wonderful place to start is Practical Magic, which tells the story of the Owens sisters dealing with family legacies, love, and small-town suspicions.
Madeline Miller vividly reimagines ancient myths, breathing new life into iconic characters and emotions. Her narrative approach makes centuries-old stories feel fresh and deeply personal.
One of her stand-out works is Circe, a novel that retells the story of the famous sorceress from Greek mythology, crafting a strong, relatable character amidst epic tales of gods and mortals.
Pat Barker writes powerful, thoughtful historical fiction that often explores themes of war, trauma, and memory. Barker's clear prose builds authentic settings and believable characters whose inner conflicts draw readers in.
One of her most notable novels is The Silence of the Girls, which sheds new light on the Trojan War from women's perspectives previously overlooked.
Ursula K. Le Guin's fiction spans science fiction, fantasy, and speculative realities. Her thoughtful, clear language explores complex themes like identity, power, society, and morality.
The Left Hand of Darkness is a great example of her approach, imagining a world without fixed gender roles and questioning assumptions about humanity and relationships.
Fans of Sara Maitland's imaginative retellings and modern fairy tales might also appreciate Kelly Link. Link creates fantastical stories that blend magic into everyday life, often exploring unusual, mysterious tales with emotional depth.
Her collection Magic for Beginners showcases creative stories filled with whimsy and subtle insights into human relationships.
If you love Sara Maitland’s thoughtful explorations of myths and legends, Sylvia Townsend Warner will appeal to you. Warner writes in a rich, lyrical style, fusing folklore elements with insightful reflections on society and personal relationships.
Check out Lolly Willowes, a gentle, imaginative novel about a woman who rebels against societal expectations by embracing witchcraft and independence.
Readers who admire Maitland’s focus on storytelling and emotion-driven narratives may gravitate toward Karen Joy Fowler. Fowler's approachable style combines thoughtful realism and a touch of the uncanny.
Her novel We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves explores family bonds, identity, and the boundaries between people and animals in a fresh, emotionally resonant way.
If Sara Maitland’s profound connection to landscape and nature draws you in, Kathleen Jamie might be your cup of tea. Jamie writes concise yet richly descriptive essays and poems about the natural world.
Her essay collection Findings reflects quietly on nature, history, and humanity's place within the environment, bringing everyday observations vividly to life.
Fans of Sara Maitland’s lyrical writing and exploration of landscapes and myths will find a kindred spirit in Robert Macfarlane. Macfarlane writes eloquently about the natural world, connecting geography, folklore, and the human experience.
His book The Old Ways takes readers wanderings along ancient paths, inviting thoughtful reflection on history, nature, and our relationship to the land.