London has inspired writers for centuries. As one of the world’s most storied and written-about cities, its streets, people and history have fuelled countless works of fiction. From Dickens’ fog-shrouded alleys to Zadie Smith’s vibrant multicultural London, writers throughout the centuries have tried to capture its spirit.
In this guide, I’ve picked 10 of the best novels about London, spanning classics and modern masterpieces.
You might also be interested in my guide to the 25+ best non-fiction books about London.
My top pick for 20th century fiction about London
The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon
Written in the 1950s, the Lonely Londoners was one of the first books to focus on the experiences of the Windrush generation.
Authored by Sam Selvon, himself an immigrant from Trinidad, it explores the struggles in the life of working class immigrants from the Caribbean as they navigate a new climate, facing racism and exploitation. It’s also known for being written in creolised English.
Buy the Lonely Londoners on Waterstones.com (UK)
Buy the Lonely Londoners on Amazon.com
My top pick for a classic novel about London
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Of course, you could argue that just about any Charles Dickens novel belongs on this list. He’s probably the most iconic author associated with the city.
Oliver Twist is one of his most famous works, nowadays known for its musical and film adaptations. The novel paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities for many living in 19th century London. Amid this it’s an endearing novel, fun to read, with vibrant and memorable characters.
Buy Oliver Twist on Waterstones.com (UK)
Buy Oliver Twist on Amazon.com
My top pick for a political novel in London
1984 by George Orwell
Thankfully, the London of Orwell’s 1984 never came into existence. But this is undoubtedly one of the best, and most iconic, books set in the city. A bona-fide dystopian classic and a political masterpiece, its influence still looms large – Big Brother, Thought Police and Doublethink are just a few of the phrases Orwell spawned in this novel.
1984 follows Winston Smith as he struggles under a totalitarian regime, in a London ravaged by war. I’d also recommend Julia by Sandra Newman – a retelling of 1984 through the eyes of the novel’s main female protagonist. Julia both adds to the world created by Orwell, and breathes a fresh perspective into it. It’s stunning.
Buy 1984 on Waterstones.com (UK)
Buy 1984 on Amazon.com
My top pick for a contemporary classic novel about London
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
Spanning decades and continents, Girl, Woman, Other weaves together the stories of 12 different characters, exploring themes of British identity, race, intersectionality and a whole lot else.
It’s massive in scope, utterly brilliant and well deserving of its (joint) win of the Booker Prize. Though not set exclusively in London (some is based in Cornwall for example, and parts are overseas) much of the novel centres around the city, making it an excellent novel to read to understand modern London.
Buy Girl, Woman, Other on Waterstones.com (UK)
Buy Girl, Woman, Other on Amazon.com
My top fantasy series about London
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
The first novel in the hugely popular fantasy-crime series Rivers of London. It follows the adventures of Peter Grant, a member of the Metropolitan Police who finds himself working in a department focused on magic and the supernatural.
Aaronovitch’s deep love for London’s history and architecture shines through – making Rivers of London both an exciting urban fantasy, and a fun and engaging way to see London in a different light and learn more about this magical city.
Buy Rivers of London on Waterstones.com (UK)
Buy Rivers of London on Amazon.com
5 more essential novels about London
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
One of my favourites on this list, Zadie Smith’s debut novel took the literary world by storm. Funny and insightful, it chronicles the intertwined lives of two London families and the decade-spanning friendship of English Archie Jones and Bangladeshi Samad Iqbal.
Set from World War Two up until the late 1990s, White Teeth reads like a love letter to London and its multiculturalism. It’s one of the best novels about the city.
Buy White Teeth on Waterstones.com (UK)
Buy White Teeth on Amazon.com
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
Nick Hornby is one of contemporary Britain’s most popular writers, and London is a central character in many of his books. His debut, Fever Pitch, is basically a love letter to Arsenal FC. A Long Way Down and About A Boy are two of his most popular books set in London, both since turned into movies.
But for this list of the best novels about London, High Fidelity is my top-pick. Perhaps it’s because I love music, and so much of the book – with its main character the owner of a failing record shop in Islington – is devoted to what it means to be a music fan. Perhaps it’s because it’s not just Hornby at his funniest, but also most insightful, nailing its exploration of the male psyche. Or perhaps, just perhaps, it’s because it skips around some of my favourite places in North London.
Buy High Fidelity on Waterstones.com (UK)
Buy High Fidelity on Amazon.com
London by Edward Rutherfurd
If you’re looking for a deep dive into London’s history, this is your book. From Roman London until the modern day, with famous historical figures such as Henry VIII and even Julius Caeser popping up from time to time, Rutherfurd aims to tell the story of this great city through the lives of its characters. No easy task, but he brings the rich city’s history to life. A magnificent achievement. (But not a short read!)
Buy London on Waterstones.com (UK)
Buy London on Amazon.com
Brick Lane by Monica Ali
For those unfamiliar, Brick Lane is an area in East London which for a long time has been the centre of London’s Bangladeshi community. This modern classic follows an 18-year-old Bangladeshi woman who moves to London for a marriage, barely speaking a word of English, as she gets to know her new home.
Buy Brick Lane on Waterstones.com (UK)
Buy Brick Lane on Amazon.com
A Little Murder by Suzette Hill
Full disclosure – I’m a huge fan of murder mysteries. So I couldn’t write this blog without including at least one whodunnit. But which to choose? So many great murder mysteries are set in London – not least many of the Sherlock Holmes books.
I chose A Little Murder because it delves into something that isn’t really covered by other books in this list – namely postwar London and the anxieties and intricacies that came with it. It’s a witty, cosy, intriguing classic crime novel. And the main character works at the British Museum, so it’s a great accompaniment to a holiday in London!
Buy A Little Murder on Amazon.com
Planning a trip to London? Explore London’s Museum Guide, my comprehensive interactive guide to all 240+ museums in the city.
Even more fiction books about London!
There are so many novels set in London, that narrowing my top picks down to 10 was a near impossible task. Below are some more choices for you:
Classic novels set in London
Our mutual Friend, by Charles Dickens | Buy now on Amazon
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens | Buy now on Amazon
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf | Buy now on Amazon
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde | Buy now on Amazon
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain | Buy now on Amazon
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, by John le Carré | Buy now on Amazon
Absolute Beginners by Colin MacInnes | Buy now on Amazon
The End of the Affair by Graham Greene |Buy now on Amazon
Hawmsmoor by Peter Ackroyd | Buy now on Amazon
Contemporary fiction set in London
Queenie, by Candice Carty-Williams |Buy now on Amazon
Who They Was by Gabriel Krauze | Buy now on Amazon
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson | Buy now on Amazon
How to stop time by Matt Haig |Buy now on Amazon
Broadwater by Jac Shreeves-Lee | Buy now on Amazon
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell | Buy now on Amazon
Romance novels set in London
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding | Buy now on Amazon
One Day, by David Nicholls | Buy now on Amazon
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary | Buy now on Amazon
Here for the Drama by Kate Bromley | Buy now on Amazon
Historical fiction set in London
Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel | Buy now on Amazon
Transcription by Kate Atkinson | Buy now on Amazon
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin | Buy now on Amazon
The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho by Paterson Joseph | Buy now on Amazon
The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins | Buy now on Amazon
Science fiction set in London
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells | Buy now on Amazon
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells | Buy now on Amazon
The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham | Buy now on Amazon
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley | Buy now on Amazon
The Cockroach by Ian McEwan | Buy now on Amazon
Graphic novels set in London
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore | Buy now on Amazon
Lost Girls by Alan Moore | Buy now on Amazon
Ethel & Ernest by Raymond Briggs | Buy now on Amazon
Ring of Roses by Das Petrou | Buy now on Amazon
Fagin the Jew by Will Eisner | Buy now on Amazon
If you’re travelling to London, read my guide to the best authentic areas to stay in London.
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