Philippa Gregory: 100 Novels That Shaped a Master Storyteller 2026

Philippa Gregory credits reading 100 of the best 18th-century novels as the perfect author’s apprenticeship. In a recent interview, the bestselling historical novelist shared how a childhood immersed in books—from bedtime stories to voracious teenage reading—laid the foundation for her celebrated career.

Gregory’s journey began early: by age three, she was reading the text of her bedtime stories rather than looking at the pictures. That precocious start led to a lifelong love of literature and a deep appreciation for the craft of storytelling.

The Early Years: A Reader Is Born

Gregory’s earliest reading memory is of her mother reading aloud, but she quickly moved to reading four books a week from the library. One standout was Alison Goudge’s The Little White Horse, a blend of history and gothic fantasy that Gregory describes as “realistic and charming and frightening without being nightmarish.”

That book sparked her love of historical fiction and remains a family favorite. It’s a testament to how early reading experiences can shape a writer’s sensibilities and even influence the stories they later tell.

Teenage Years: Discovering the Greats

As a teenager, Gregory was a voracious reader, devouring Rudyard Kipling before moving on to historical fiction, especially Georgette Heyer. She also read all of Jane Austen’s novels early on, learning to admire Austen’s economy of style and precision.

“She still seems to me the finest writer in the English language,” Gregory says. Austen’s influence is evident in Gregory’s own tight plotting and sharp characterizations, proving that studying the classics is never wasted time for an aspiring writer.

The Book That Changed Her Mind

E.P. Thompson’s The Making of the English Working Class was a revelation for Gregory as a young woman. The radical account of working-class consciousness showed her the real importance of writing history and the passion a great historian can bring to the subject.

It became a model for her own work, demonstrating that you can uncover and write a hidden history. This approach—giving voice to the voiceless—is a hallmark of Gregory’s novels, which often center on women overlooked by traditional histories.

Why 100 Novels Make the Perfect Apprenticeship

Gregory’s claim that reading 100 of the best 18th-century novels was the perfect author’s apprenticeship speaks to the value of deep, wide reading. By immersing herself in the literature of a particular era, she absorbed its rhythms, themes, and techniques.

For writers, this is a powerful lesson: reading widely and deeply in your genre is not just enjoyable—it’s essential training. The 18th century was a golden age of the novel, with writers like Defoe, Richardson, Fielding, and Austen (though she published slightly later) shaping the form.

What Aspiring Writers Can Learn

Gregory’s reading journey offers several takeaways for anyone hoping to write historical fiction or any genre:

• Start early and read voraciously: Gregory’s childhood habit of reading four books a week set the stage for a lifetime of learning.
• Study the masters: Austen’s economy of style and Heyer’s historical detail are masterclasses in craft.
• Let history inspire you: Thompson’s work showed Gregory that history is not just facts but passion and hidden stories.
• Read deeply in your genre: Immersing herself in 18th-century novels gave Gregory a deep understanding of narrative structure and character development.
• Find your own voice: By learning from others, Gregory developed her own distinctive style that has captivated millions.

The Lasting Impact of a Reading Life

Gregory’s story is a reminder that the books we read shape who we become. Her childhood favorites, teenage discoveries, and intellectual awakenings all contributed to her success as a writer. The longer history behind the story is traced in Philippa Gregory: 100 Novels That Shaped a Master Storyteller.

For readers, her recommendations offer a window into the mind of a master storyteller. For writers, they are a roadmap: read widely, read deeply, and let the greats teach you. The background to this story is set out in The Newer World by Sebastian Barry: A Near-Miracle of Storytelling. A related thread runs through Billy Teare: Celebrated Storyteller and Comedian Dies at 75. Earlier coverage in Witi Ihimaera on Māori Survival and the Power of Storytelling shows how the argument developed.

Gregory’s reading list is a treasure trove for anyone interested in historical fiction. If you’re looking to build your own library, consider starting with some of the best new children’s books: picture books and novels for kids that can spark a lifelong love of reading. For a broader selection, explore the best new picture books and novels for children and teens, which offer a range of genres and styles. A closer look at the same subject appears in Shaun Tan's Hometown: A Masterpiece of Visual Storytelling. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Business: latest articles. The same theme surfaces in Yiyun Li's Music Against the Night: A Virtuosic Art Novel Review, which takes a different angle.

History lovers might also be moved by Russia’s war on Ukrainian books: incinerated novels and destroyed libraries, a stark reminder of the power of literature and the importance of preserving it. Closer to home, the best new children’s picture books and novels 2023 showcase the vibrant state of contemporary children’s literature. And for the most current picks, don’t miss the best new picture books and novels for kids in 2025. Context on how this played out before sits in Bilingual Healthcare Workers: Clinic Apprenticeship Model Solves. A companion piece, Higher Training Costs for Older Workers Threaten Youth Jobs Plan, approaches the same subject from another angle.