Philippa Gregory is one of the best known of today’s historical biographical fiction authors. As an author, she is known for her intense research and her insistence on historical accuracy, but not at the expense of a good story. Gregory chooses central characters who are real historical figures, but who are lesser known in the grand scheme of history. Picking these figures on the “margins” of history, Gregory is able to provide a unique perspective on real-world historical events, through the viewpoint of engaging and compelling characters — frequently strong female characters. Gregory also doesn’t shy away from some of the more dark or depressing historical events, so readers have grown to expect more “reality” from her works than upbeat “happy endings.” Gregory has truly popularized the field of gritty, historical fiction.
Fans of recent popular TV series such as The Tudors should find her works appealing, and once you’ve finished her body of work, the authors in the list below will provide you with similar reads. One quick note: Although Gregory is best known for her historical fiction, she has written in other genres as well, including contemporary-set thrillers — so make sure you browse her books before automatically presuming you’ve got a 16th-century English story.
The author names (and titles) in the list below are hotlinked to their holdings in our catalog, so that you may check on the availability of their titles in print, audio or downloadable formats.
Duchess of Aquitane: A Novel of Eleanor – or other titles by Margaret Ball
The Dark Queen – or other titles by Susan Carroll
The Love Knot – or other titles by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Queen of Subtleties – or other titles by Suzannah Dunn
The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette – or other titles by Carolly Erickson
A Lady Raised High – or other titles by Laurien Gardner
Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles – or other titles by Margaret George
Mistress of the Sun – or other titles by Sandra Gulland
The Secret Wife of King George IV – or other titles by Diane Haeger
The First Princess of Wales – or other titles by Karen Harper
I, Victoria – or other titles by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
The Book of Eleanor – or other titles by Pamela Kaufman
Circle of Pearls – or other titles by Rosalind Laker
Crown of Aloes – or other titles by Norah Lofts
The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn – or other titles by Robin Maxwell
Guenevere: Queen of the Summer Country – or other titles by Rosalind Miles
Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette – or other titles by Sena Jeter Naslund
Here be Dragons – or other titles by Sharon Kay Penman
Queen of This Realm: The Story of Elizabeth I – or other titles by Jean Plaidy
Royal Harlot: A Novel of the Countess of Castlemaine and King Charles II – or other titles by Susan Holloway Scott
Passing Glory – or other titles by Reay Tannahill
Farewell, My Queen – or other titles by Chantal Thomas
Innocent Traitor: A Novel of the Lady Jean Grey – or other titles by Alison Weir
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