You’ve turned the last page of Pillars of the Earth, and let me guess…you’re feeling that classic “what do I read now?” dilemma. Oh, I get it! Ken Follett’s epic has this way of pulling you in, giving you grand architecture, medieval drama, love, betrayal, and a whole lot of intrigue. It’s the kind of book that leaves a cathedral-sized hole in your reading life once it’s over, right? 😆
But don’t worry! I’ve rounded up some incredible reads that bring those same vibes. We’re talking epic tales with rich history, characters who feel so real you could swear they were your neighbors (or enemies!), and worlds you’ll get lost in. So grab a cup of tea, settle into your favorite reading chair, and let’s find you your next epic adventure!
10 Books Like Pillars Of The Earth (Historical Fiction)
If you loved that epic mix of history, architecture, drama, and unforgettable characters, you’re in for a treat. Books like Pillars aren’t just stories—they’re experiences. They take you other times and places where you feel the grit, smell the smoke, and almost taste the medieval bread (minus the plague, thankfully).
It’s the kind of immersive reading where you’re not only reading history; you’re right there in it, walking through muddy villages, crossing bustling markets, and sneaking glances in the grand halls of power. These recommendations I’ve shared have that same magic: multi-generational family dramas, forbidden romances, brutal battles, betrayals, and yes—plenty of characters whose ambitions and flaws feel so real they could be sitting across from you at the dinner table.
I picked these books because, they brought back that same sense of grand adventure and deep-rooted storytelling. With each one, I was hooked, invested, and left thinking about the characters long after I’d finished. Trust me, if Pillars left you wanting more, these books will more than fill the gap. So take the plunge—let these stories carry you back in time, and get ready to lose yourself in epic tales that, like Pillars of the Earth, will stay with you long after you turn the last page. 📖✨
1. Sarum: The Novel of England by Edward Rutherfurd
Goodreads Rating: 4.10
📜 Tropes: Multi-generational saga, historical landscape, family legacies, sweeping history.
Rutherfurd’s Sarum is vast, covering over 10,000 years of history from the prehistoric era to the modern age. Each chapter is like a window into a different era, showing how the same families change and adapt over generations.
Imagine if Pillars spanned not a few decades but several thousand years! Sarum traces five families in England from ancient times to the modern era. Rutherfurd writes like he’s painting a vast canvas, where each generation builds upon the last. You’ll witness Stonehenge’s mysterious rise, the Romans, the Norman invasion, and more.
It’s long, dense, and incredibly rewarding. You won’t only read history; you’ll live it through the lives, love, and losses of these families. The twists aren’t heart-racing, but the stakes feel monumental. With meticulous attention to historical detail, Rutherfurd immerses you in the development of English society and culture. His characters, though not always as fleshed-out as Follett’s, are distinct and real, pulling you into the heart of each era’s struggles and triumphs.
Like Pillars, Sarum follows multiple generations in one location, spanning centuries. It’s deeply tied to the land and architecture (in this case, Salisbury and Stonehenge). Both novels use grand historical events as backdrops, bringing personal, human experiences to the forefront.
I’ll admit, Sarum was intimidating at first because it’s this massive, multi-generational epic. But once I got into it, it was like watching time itself unfold in this corner of England. Each new chapter was a completely new world with new characters – I could almost feel the roots of each family deepening with each generation. It reminded me of reading Pillars because you see how personal lives get tangled with history itself. I loved the feeling of being anchored to one place while time just swirled around me.
2. World Without End by Ken Follett
Goodreads Rating: 4.26
📜 Tropes: Return to beloved settings, plagues and healing, forbidden love, power struggles.
In World Without End, Follett returns us to Kingsbridge two centuries after Pillars, with a new cast of characters who are just as complex and flawed. The story centers on Caris, a spirited woman determined to become a doctor, and Merthin, a talented architect with a vision.
Follett creates an authentic medieval world, complete with the political conflicts, religious pressures, and scientific debates of the era. This book’s strength lies in how it shows the characters’ internal growth as they deal with external forces like the Black Death and the power of the church. Follett’s grasp of historical detail and human emotion makes this book a worthy continuation of Kingsbridge’s legacy.
Why You’ll Love It: The natural follow-up to Pillars, World Without End continues the journey in Kingsbridge two centuries later. This one is all about survival – through plague, war, and societal change. With classic Follett charm, you’ll be pulled into lives both small and grand.
The town’s character remains, yet there’s a freshness to the new faces, like the sharp-witted Caris, who pushes for medical knowledge in a time of superstition. I loved Caris and Merthin’s characters; they’re so determined and passionate in a world that’s constantly trying to crush them. A bit slower, but as lush and satisfying – like revisiting a beloved town where the ghosts of past characters linger in every shadowed alley.
3. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
Goodreads Rating: 4.08
📜 Tropes: Mystery in a monastery, intellectual intrigue, dark academia, philosophical exploration.
Eco’s The Name of the Rose combines mystery with philosophy, following Franciscan friar William of Baskerville and his novice, Adso, as they investigate a string of murders in a remote monastery. Unlike Follett, who focuses more on dramatic tension, Eco’s narrative is dense with theological and philosophical discussions. It’s a slow burn, rich in atmosphere, and the abbey becomes almost a character itself. For readers who enjoy a more intellectual dive into medieval life, The Name of the Rose is like a dark and thought-provoking twist on the mystery genre.
I felt like a detective myself, trying to solve the clues alongside Brother William. The atmosphere of the monastery was so thick that I could almost feel the cold stone walls. It’s like Pillars but with a darker, more cerebral twist.
Why You’ll Love It: This is historical fiction meets murder mystery meets a medieval philosophy. It’s like Sherlock Holmes but in a monastery, with a whiff of Gothic eeriness. Brother William and his novice, Adso, investigate a series of murders in an abbey – and the secret lies in books and forbidden knowledge.
Eco’s book, like Follett’s, uses a grand setting (an isolated abbey) to dive into human nature, secrets, and ambition. Eco makes you work for the rewards, weaving philosophical debates into the action. If you love history with a side of thought-provoking questions, this one’s for you. Just be prepared for a heady journey through medieval theology!
4. The Physician by Noah Gordon
Goodreads Rating: 4.33
📜 Tropes: Medical journey, cross-cultural adventure, against-the-odds triumph, mentor-student dynamic.
The Physician follows Rob J. Cole, a young man determined to learn medicine in a world where science battles religion and tradition. Rob travels from England to Persia, where he becomes a student of the great Ibn Sina (Avicenna). Rob J. Cole’s journey from England to Persia to learn medicine is a blend of adventure, cultural exploration, and personal growth.
Gordon’s meticulous research shines, showing the clash between European religious beliefs and the scientific approach of Persian scholars like Ibn Sina. Rob’s struggles, the intricacies of medieval medicine, and his inner transformation make for an epic that, while focusing more on one character than Follett’s ensemble cast, offers the same grand sense of historical immersion. Gordon’s love for the subject matter makes Rob’s journey unforgettable.
Gordon writes with empathy and awe for ancient medical practices, and Rob’s story feels both intimate and epic. Imagine Pillars but with a focus on medical knowledge and cross-cultural learning. The protagonists in both novels face societal restrictions and risk their lives in the pursuit of knowledge. The historical detail, particularly on medieval medicine, is absolutely fascinating!
5. An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears
Goodreads Rating: 4.05
📜 Tropes: Rashomon-style narrative, mystery, unreliable narrators, political intrigue.
Set in post-English Civil War Oxford, An Instance of the Fingerpost uses four narrators to tell a single, convoluted story of betrayal and murder. Each viewpoint adds new layers, and the shifting perspectives create a narrative puzzle. Pears masterfully explores the shifting sands of truth and the power struggles within the intellectual, political, and religious spheres of the time. It’s not as linear as Pillars, but the intricate plotting and authentic atmosphere make it gripping for readers who enjoy piecing together complex stories.
Why You’ll Love It: Four narrators, one mystery. Set in 17th-century England, this book reads like a puzzle box where each narrator adds layers to a tale of murder and betrayal. It’s rich with political and philosophical tensions as each character shares their version of the truth.
The structure is thrilling – you get different angles, each revealing new truths and lies. It’s a book that challenges your perception, offering twists that feel like peeling an onion of hidden motives and historical secrets. Like Pillars of The Earth this one also features morally ambiguous characters facing complex political landscapes, exposing the clash between personal integrity and societal demands.
6. Shogun by James Clavell
Goodreads Rating: 4.37
📜 Tropes: Fish out of water, clash of cultures, forbidden love, political maneuvering.
Shogun follows English navigator John Blackthorne as he’s shipwrecked in Japan and becomes embroiled in Japanese political life. Clavell’s writing immerses readers in Japanese customs, societal hierarchies, and the personal conflicts of loyalty and honor. It’s a fascinating journey as Blackthorne’s character undergoes a transformation influenced by Japanese culture. This book’s strength lies in its meticulous cultural depiction and complex character dynamics. Like Follett, Clavell excels at making you feel the emotional and social stakes of each conflict.
Why You’ll Love It: Set in feudal Japan, Shogun is an adventure for the ages, where a shipwrecked English sailor, John Blackthorne, finds himself thrust into the world of samurais, political factions, and strict societal codes.
Clavell’s story immerses you in Japanese culture, with vivid depictions of honor, strategy, and survival. Blackthorne’s character arc is fantastic, showing a man changed by immersion in a vastly different culture. It’s like you’re in Pillars’ world, but on the other side of the world with shoguns instead of kings.
7. Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
Goodreads Rating: 4.23
📜 Tropes: Strong female protagonist, medieval daily life, forbidden love, family struggles.
Kristin Lavransdatter is a trilogy that follows a woman’s life in medieval Norway, focusing on her relationships and moral struggles. Kristin’s journey through love, betrayal, and faith feels incredibly human. Undset’s prose is deeply emotional, offering an unfiltered view of Kristin’s inner thoughts and conflicts, and the historical setting is richly woven without ever overwhelming the character’s personal narrative. It’s an intimate epic, where daily life feels as monumental as any grand event.
Why You’ll Love It: This Nobel Prize-winning trilogy follows Kristin Lavransdatter, a strong-willed woman in 14th-century Norway. Her journey through love, faith, and loss is heart-wrenching and profoundly human.
The medieval setting is steeped in Christian culture, but it’s her personal life – turbulent, relatable – that will pull you in. Kristin Lavransdatter feels intensely real, almost like reading someone’s private journal through history’s lens. Perfect if you love rich character studies and historical immersion.
8. The Accursed Kings Series by Maurice Druon
Goodreads Rating (Book 1): 4.05
📜 Tropes: Royal intrigue, curses, Game of Thrones vibes, dynastic conflict.
Druon’s The Accursed Kings series features the lives of France’s royal family, from scandalous affairs to deadly political gambits. With George R.R. Martin himself citing it as an inspiration for Game of Thrones, you can expect all the drama of betrayal, curses, and complex relationships. The characters are morally complex, and the series moves quickly, making it as engaging as it is shocking. The attention to historical accuracy is impressive, and Druon’s writing captures both the epic scale and intimate betrayal of royal life.
Why You’ll Love It: Known as the French Game of Thrones, this series inspired George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. It’s all political backstabbing, royal scandals, and bloodshed. Druon’s prose is sharp, with plenty of court intrigue.
Unlike Pillars, this series is laser-focused on power and the cost of holding it. The characters’ flaws make for ruthless, complex portraits that feel real. If you love treachery and historical accuracy, you’ll binge this series faster than you expect.
9. Rutherfurd’s London by Edward Rutherfurd
Goodreads Rating: 4.11
📜 Tropes: City as character, time-spanning narrative, generational saga, social evolution.
Rutherfurd’s London is an epic that traces the city from its Roman roots to the modern era. The book follows various families over generations, with each chapter giving readers a new perspective on England’s history. Rutherfurd’s writing captures the spirit of each era, and his ability to paint a picture of daily life is reminiscent of Follett’s Kingsbridge. The personal dramas of each generation give the book heart, and by the end, you’ll feel a deep connection to London itself.
Why You’ll Love It: Another one from Rutherfurd, London is an ode to the city itself, spanning over two thousand years. You’ll see Roman London, the plagues, the Great Fire, and the blitz through the eyes of various families. I loved seeing London transform – the markets, the plagues, the fires, and how families adapt or fade away.
The sheer scope is breathtaking, with the city feeling like a character all its own. Perfect if you enjoy seeing history through a variety of social classes and time periods. Each chapter immerses you in a slice of history you won’t want to leave.
10. The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett
Goodreads Rating: 4.16
📜 Tropes: Prequel love, beginnings of a legacy, social injustice, emerging power.
Set at the end of the Dark Ages, The Evening and the Morning introduces us to Edgar, Ragna, and Aldred, whose ambitions and dreams shape the early days of Kingsbridge. Follett’s return to this beloved setting offers a fresh yet familiar story about love, power, and progress. The characters are complex, and the conflicts feel as immediate as they are epic. Follett’s detailed descriptions of architecture, societal challenges, and personal struggles make this a beautifully immersive read.
Why You’ll Choose It: A prequel to Pillars, The Evening and the Morning takes us to the early days of Kingsbridge. You’ll meet Edgar, a young boatbuilder, and watch as the seeds of Kingsbridge are sown amid the chaos of Viking raids and political instability.
Follett writes with that familiar, inviting style. It’s all about survival, ingenuity, and ambition in a time where brutality and beauty coexist. It’s like slipping into a familiar world with new characters who feel like old friends. If you loved Pillars, you’ll savor every page.
Last Words
These books might not have Kingsbridge Cathedral, but they pack all the drama, history, and sweeping sagas that make Pillars of the Earth so addictively good. Whether you’re in the mood for royal intrigue, medical journeys, or mysterious abbeys, I promise one (or all) of these will fill that Pillars craving.
If you’re still mourning the end of Pillars, remember – every epic ending is the start of a new journey. So let these stories pull you back in time, and prepare for a whole new world of drama, architecture, and unforgettable characters. Happy reading!
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