5 Best Historical Fiction Books Set in England Recommended by Lesley Thomson
Historical fiction has the enchanting ability to transport readers to bygone eras, allowing them to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of history.
In this blog post, we explore the top five historical fiction books set in England, as recommended by Lesley Thomson.
These captivating novels offer readers a vivid glimpse into the past, each with its unique charm and historical context.
1. “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel
Set in the tumultuous era of King Henry VIII, “Wolf Hall” is a masterpiece of historical fiction.
Hilary Mantel vividly portrays the intrigue and political machinations of the Tudor court through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell.
With meticulous research and rich storytelling, this book takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through a pivotal period in English history.
My favorite quotes from Wolf Hall
“It is the absence of facts that frightens people: the gap you open, into which they pour their fears, fantasies, desires.”
“Some of these things are true and some of them lies. But they are all good stories.”
“It is all very well planning what you will do in six months, what you will do in a year, but it’s no good at all if you don’t have a plan for tomorrow.”
2. “Bring up the Bodies” by Hilary Mantel
The sequel to “Wolf Hall,” “Bring up the Bodies” continues the captivating saga of Thomas Cromwell and the events that surround Anne Boleyn’s fall from grace.
Mantel’s storytelling prowess shines as she explores the complexities of power, loyalty, and ambition in the court of King Henry VIII.
My favorite quotes from Bring up the Bodies
“The things you think are the disasters in your life are not the disasters really. Almost anything can be turned around: out of every ditch, a path, if you can only see it.”
“The word ‘however’ is like an imp coiled beneath your chair. It induces ink to form words you have not yet seen, and lines to march across the page and overshoot the margin. There are no endings. If you think so you are deceived as to their nature. They are all beginnings. Here is one.”
“Those who are made can be unmade.”
3. “Dissolution: A Novel of Tudor England” by C.J. Sansom
“Dissolution” by C.J. Sansom whisks readers to the reign of King Henry VIII as well, but from a different perspective.
This historical thriller follows the hunchbacked lawyer-detective, Matthew Shardlake, as he investigates a murder at a monastery during the dissolution of the monasteries.
Sansom skillfully combines history, mystery, and suspense in a richly detailed Tudor setting.
My favorite quotes from Dissolution: A Novel of Tudor England
“In worshipping their nationhood men worship themselves and scorn others, and that is no healthy thing.”
“It seems a universal rule in this world that people will always look for victims and scapegoats, does it not? Especially at times of difficulty and tension.”
“If I knocked and waited at every door, who knows what I might miss?”
4. “Dominion” by C.J. Sansom C.J.
Sansom takes a leap into the mid-20th century in “Dominion.” This alternate history novel envisions a world where England surrendered to Nazi Germany during World War II.
The book explores the moral dilemmas, resistance, and intrigue of a Britain under German occupation.
Sansom’s vivid portrayal of this alternative past is both compelling and thought-provoking.
My favorite quotes from Dominion
“Whenever a party tells you national identity matters more than anything else in politics, that nationalism can sort out all the other problems, then watch out, because you’re on a road that can end with fascism.”
“We used to think British people could never become Fascists, or Fascist collaborators. But they can. I suppose anybody can, given the right set of circumstances.”
“The lives God gives to us, the awful things we can’t escape from. Sometimes I think that sort of God would enjoy making hell for us after we die.”
5. “The Night Watch” by Sarah Waters
“The Night Watch” by Sarah Waters offers a different glimpse into history, focusing on the years following World War II.
The novel weaves a tapestry of intersecting lives in post-war London.
Through its vivid characters and evocative prose, Waters presents a poignant and insightful exploration of love, loss, and personal transformation in a city scarred by war.
My favorite quotes from The Night Watch
“Why is it we can never love the people we ought to?”
“She supposed that houses, after all — like the lives that were lived in them — were mostly made of space. It was the spaces, in fact, which counted, rather than the bricks.”
“life is crap but, every day is an experience”
Lesley Thomson’s recommendations offer a diverse collection of historical novels set in England. From the Tudor court to World War II and beyond, these books provide readers with an opportunity to travel back in time and experience the challenges, triumphs, and complexities of these historical periods.
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