Books by Matthew Kneale
“This book is set in the 13th century. It’s called Pilgrims, so we immediately think of Christianity and a Christian pilgrimage, which is indeed crucial to the structure of the book. But the religion that matters at least as much, and possibly more, in this book is Judaism. It focuses on the persecution and expulsion of the Jewish community from England in the 13th century. I found that particularly powerful and important.” Read more...
Best Medieval Historical Fiction
Marion Turner, Biographer
Interviews where books by Matthew Kneale were recommended
Best Medieval Historical Fiction, recommended by Marion Turner
The medieval era in Europe lasted a millennium and saw massive social change and technological innovation, as well as calamities like the Black Death. That makes it a great period for historical fiction, offering a glimpse of a past that was very different from our own lives, and yet can resonate with the present. Here Marion Turner, Professor of English Literature at Oxford University, recommends some of her favourite historical novels set in the Middle Ages and explains why she finds them so compelling.
