Sarah Waters is known for historical fiction set in the Victorian era. Her popular novels include Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet, celebrated for vivid storytelling and intriguing characters.
If you enjoy reading books by Sarah Waters then you might also like the following authors:
Emma Donoghue writes vivid historical fiction that explores complex relationships and challenges social norms and conventions. Her stories often dive into emotional territory, with characters you remember vividly long after finishing.
Her novel The Wonder tells the tense story of an English nurse's investigation into a child's supposed miracle in 19th-century Ireland, combining mystery and emotional depth that readers of Sarah Waters will appreciate.
Jessie Burton crafts atmospheric stories steeped in historical detail and emotional insight. Her plots often unfold in fascinating, richly drawn settings where secrets emerge and unravel slowly.
Burton's bestselling novel The Miniaturist, set in Amsterdam in the late 1600s, mixes suspense and intrigue with vivid characters, making it a strong match for Sarah Waters fans.
Michel Faber creates bold literary fiction across diverse genres, often blending historical detail with psychological intensity. His writing is thought-provoking and deeply empathetic.
His novel The Crimson Petal and the White vividly portrays Victorian London's darker corners and secret lives, closely aligned in tone and mood with Sarah Waters's historical narratives.
Jeanette Winterson consistently pushes boundaries with imaginative storytelling and richly poetic language. Her novels frequently explore themes like identity, love, gender, and sexuality, all told with honesty and emotional depth.
Fans of Sarah Waters may enjoy Winterson's The Passion, a lyrical glimpse into wartime Europe, passion, and adventure.
Patrick Gale writes thoughtful literary fiction that delves into family dynamics, secrets, and deeply personal journeys. His compassionate storytelling draws you into characters' internal lives and complex relationships.
His novel A Place Called Winter portrays a man fleeing early 20th-century Britain to build a new life in western Canada. Readers of Sarah Waters may find Gale's narratives similarly emotional and absorbing, filled with compelling characters and authentic settings.
Alan Hollinghurst offers richly described novels set in the past, exploring complicated human relationships, social tensions, and LGBTQ+ experiences. He examines nuanced emotional bonds with subtlety and skill.
Readers who enjoy Sarah Waters' historical novels might appreciate Hollinghurst's The Line of Beauty, which captures 1980s Britain with insight and depth.
Sarah Perry creates atmospheric historical stories, blending mystery, gothic elements, and lyrical storytelling similar to Sarah Waters. Her novel The Essex Serpent evokes Victorian England's eerie landscapes and folklore.
If you enjoy Waters' style of vivid historical details and emotional complexity, Perry's work may resonate deeply.
Diane Setterfield writes captivating novels full of gothic mystery, family secrets, and richly detailed historical settings. Her writing is immersive and atmospheric, much like Sarah Waters' storytelling.
Probably best known for The Thirteenth Tale, Setterfield invites readers into dark, enchanting narratives filled with compelling characters and intriguing twists.
Bridget Collins merges historical fiction and fantasy, crafting stories filled with mystery, vivid imagery, and emotional depth. Her captivating writing style and compelling plot themes, much like Sarah Waters', examine identity, secrets, and love.
Her novel The Binding weaves magic into its historical context, exploring memories, loss, and forbidden romance in a deeply moving way.
Stacey Halls is noted for her emotionally nuanced historical novels featuring strong female protagonists and gripping narratives. Her style echoes Sarah Waters' interest in detailed historical settings and impactful human drama.
Her novel The Familiars centers on the Pendle witch trials of 1612, portraying themes of friendship, women's empowerment, and the struggle against oppression with sensitivity and careful attention to historical nuance.
If you love Sarah Waters' vivid historical storytelling, you'll likely appreciate Tracy Chevalier. She seamlessly blends real historical events with powerful emotional narratives.
Her book, Girl with a Pearl Earring, offers an imaginative take on Vermeer's mysterious painting, exploring art, class tensions, and personal dynamics in a richly drawn 17th-century Dutch setting.
Like Sarah Waters, Kate Morton brings history alive through atmospheric writing and engaging characters. Her novels often center around secrets from the past and their effect on present-day lives.
In The Forgotten Garden, Morton weaves together generations of mystery, family drama, and beautifully described landscapes, immersing readers in a tale of hidden truths and discovery.
For readers fond of Sarah Waters' gritty yet intricate historical worlds, Elizabeth Macneal offers something similarly enticing. Her storytelling is both colorful and detailed, capturing historical settings and unconventional characters vividly.
Her novel, The Doll Factory, delivers a dark and enticing portrait of Victorian London, exploring obsession, creativity, and the struggles of women in a demanding society.
If you admire Sarah Waters' masterful historical narratives, Eleanor Catton might intrigue you with her ambitious storytelling style and complex plots. Her writing often explores the darker sides of history with absorbing narratives.
In her novel The Luminaries, Catton carefully unfolds a mystery set in New Zealand's 19th-century gold rush, presenting layered characters, intricate plotting, and vivid historical atmosphere.
Readers who appreciate the psychological depth and suspense of Sarah Waters' novels might enjoy Tana French. She often examines the complexities of memory, perception, and human interactions, all wrapped within tightly-crafted mysteries.
In her novel The Secret Place, French portrays nuanced characters navigating friendship, drama, and darker secrets within the tense environment of a Dublin boarding school.