If you loved reading Ken Follett's epic novel "Pillars of the Earth" and want to discover another great standalone historical fiction book, check out these 5 awesome options:
What Makes a Great Historical Fiction Novel?
Before we get to the recommendations, let's look at what makes a really good historical fiction book stand out:
Accurate depiction of the time period through vivid details, customs, speech, and major events
A gripping story with compelling characters that grow and change
The ability to fully transport you to the past as you follow the characters' journeys
With that in mind, here are 5 must-read standalone historical fiction novels for fans of "Pillars of the Earth":
1. "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this classic book takes you to rural China to follow a peasant family's struggles over generations against the harsh land.
Pearl S. Buck paints a rich, moving portrait of their lives and traditions.
2. "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco
This murder mystery is set in a 14th-century Italian monastery.
Umberto Eco weaves an intricate tale exploring medieval church politics, the quest for knowledge, and life in those times.
3. "The Cathedral of the Sea" by Ildefonso Falcones
Like "Pillars of the Earth," this sweeping novel centers around the construction of a grand cathedral in 14th-century Barcelona.
You'll follow a lowly peasant who gains freedom and face the harsh realities of medieval Spanish society.
4. "Kristin Lavransdatter" by Sigrid Undset
This epic Nobel Prize winner brings medieval Norway alive through the story of the resilient Kristin Lavransdatter.
It's an absorbing saga about love, faith, and the roles of women in that era.
5. "Sarum" by Edward Rutherfurd
While not a true standalone, this ambitious novel spans thousands of years of English history around Salisbury and its famous cathedral.
Multiple generations are woven together in this sweeping historical tapestry.
And That’s It
These standalone historical fiction books deliver the same richly depicted settings, compelling narratives, and complex characters as Follett's beloved "Pillars of the Earth."
Eternal Reads