According to Goodreads, there are a total of 787 books set in London. Another incomplete list on Wikipedia puts this number at 1500. While it is almost impossible to arrive at an exact number of books set in this city, it is definitely a beloved destination for many writers. The result of this preference is that the city is now one of the most relevant. Book enthusiasts have also created maps of the most mentioned places in books, for literary travel around the city.
Based on this literary endearment to the city, we have curated a list of books based on Goodreads ratings and reviews. We have also ensured that a book from each and every genre is included in this list to cater to a diverse audience. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we did!
The Connection Of London And Literature
London is a popular setting for books, and their themes have changed with the city’s evolving socio-political dynamics. 19th-century literature captured the anxieties of poverty and economic decline through stories of a rising underclass, as in Oliver Twist.
Contemporary literature portrays London as a city of romance and cosmopolitan social gatherings, as in books like Bridget Jones’s Diary. While different authors seek to explore a different side of London, we believe that authors choose it as the place where their story should unfold because:
- It is much more cosmopolitan and diverse than any other city.
- It has no shortage of great medieval architecture that makes for interesting reference points.
- Everyone knows something about London, which makes it easier to set the context for a story.
- London has ample greenery, parks, and public spaces to inspire random encounters that make for amazing stories.
All-Time Classic Books Set In London
Here are some of the greatest classic books of all time that are set in London:
1. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Genre: Classics, Historical Fiction, Literature
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
An enduring masterpiece, Oliver Twist remains as relevant today as it was when it debuted back in 1838. The story follows a boy through the harsh realities of 19th-century London. For readers today, it is an essential documentation of what survival looked like under the crushing economic recession of the time.
Also considered an autobiographical work, the book is a crucial one to understand the city’s evolution. At its core, the story is of the unbreakable human spirit under the worst circumstances.
2. The Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle
Genre: Classics, Mystery, Detective
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Any list of books set in London will forever be incomplete without a mention of The Sherlock Holmes series. It is one of the all time classic books set in London. The inimitable genius of Sherlock Holmes was often also rooted in the deep knowledge he had of the city.
Published for the first time in 1887, the franchise has consistently given the best London crime fiction stories. Sherlock Holmes’ investigative skills eventually found applause worldwide and have been adapted into several critically acclaimed movies and TV shows since. For its intergenerational and inter-medium appeal, we have given it a perfect rating.
3. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Genre: Classics, Fiction, Literature
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway is a perfect book for enthusiasts of literary travel as it maps out the places that Clarissa Dalloway frequents throughout her day. It is the story of one single day in her life. Interspersed with references to London high society, it is a complex portrait of the dual lives people are forced to live to conform to society.
The book explored themes of sexuality, PTSD, and depression. Woolf dissected these when they were still considered taboo with immense sensitivity. To make Mrs Dalloway accessible to a wider audience, it was also republished under the aegis of Macmillan Popular Classics. It reads like a timeless labor of love and finds resonance with a wide audience even today.
4. Atonement by Ian McEwan
Genre: Romance, Classics, Historical Fiction
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Before getting my hands on this book. I always thought it was a tragic love story and so would anyone else. Glimpses of the 2007 movie adaptation of the same name made it seem like a story of two lovers torn apart by circumstance; however, the book deals with much more complex and morally ambiguous themes.
Ian McEwan masterfully brings out the turmoils of pubescent years in this book. Atonement will throw you right in the middle of a tornado of emotions. You will find your opinion of the book transformed throughout its 384-page journey. Many readers consider the book to have a slow beginning which is why we have given it a rating of 3 out of 5.
5. A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Genre: Classics, Historical Fiction, Literature
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
A Tale of Two Cities is one among the many literary classics set in London, albeit partially. The narrative takes us through the political upheavals of the 18th century. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, it exhibits an exceptional understanding of both sides of a developing conflict.
One of Dickens’ best and most political works, the book engages with a cast of quirky characters from different social and political affiliations. Despite a large number of characters, the author succeeds in tying down the different threads of the story at the end.
RELATED READING: 13 Best Beach Reads Of All Time
6. Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell
Genre: Nonfiction, Classics, Memoir
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Orwell’s ability to make his readers retch with revulsion through his descriptions of disgust in this book was admirable. Down and Out in Paris and London is the story of a British writer, trying to make ends meet in two so-called great cities. It can be compared to travel memoirs in its own unique way.
The author has borrowed several parts of the book from his own struggles. It also seems that he has developed the main subject matter of the book from real stories of people, of those who struggle to make a living under the merciless and crushing conditions of shining great cities.
7. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Genre: Classics, Fiction, Romance
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jane Austen, as usual, pens down her critique of a deeply patriarchal society with razor-sharp accuracy in Sense and Sensibility. A name that has become synonymous with British literature, she has consistently succeeded in documenting 19th-century British social behavior. Sense and Sensibility is the same.
It is a story of two sisters who have extremely different approaches to marriage. While one longs for love, the other seeks more practicality in her romantic relationships. Together, they look out for each other and help each other see what the other might not. The eloquence of expression, the sophistication of the plot, and the subtle wit in this novel are all Austen’s trademarks and merit a perfect score of 5.
Contemporary Novels Set In London
Contemporary novels hold magic in them. They can keep you hooked from the first page. Here are some of the best contemporary novels set in the beautiful city of London:
8. Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
Genre: Fiction, Chicklit, Romance
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bridget Jones’ Diary is a chick lit classic set in London. The book stands out within the genre for its portrayal of the insecurities that many women have to confront at some point in their lives. The titular character is determined to lose weight. This, however, is only one of the many goals that she believes will finally resolve her quarterly life crisis.
The story is set in London and is an essential part of the narrative. Bridget’s references to the city’s transportation system, the media world, and its social scene are thoughtfully peppered throughout the book. It becomes a pivotal part of the story by exploring the anxieties of life in a big city.
9. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Romance
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you are looking for contemporary novels set in London, The Confessions of a Shopaholic is the one for you. The protagonist of the story, Rebecca Bloomwood, is a young reporter writing on finance but daydreaming about writing on fashion. However, there is another problem– her borderline addiction to shopping without checking the price or her paycheck.
The fact that she is a shopaholic who is writing about finance makes for an entertaining plot. The novel has all of the ingredients of a perfect chicklit–romance, humour, aspirations, fashion, and most importantly, a British love interest. It is also one of the more light-hearted books on this list that takes place in London.
10. Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Mental Health
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Another riveting work on inheriting the pain and joys of being a Jamaican immigrant in London, Queenie is one of the many hidden gems of British fiction. It explores love, anxiety, and racism through a 2nd generation Jamaican immigrant, Queenie Jenkins. She has an excellent sense of humor and an irresistible tendency to self-sabotage.
The book starts with the protagonist in the midst of a shattering breakup with her long-term boyfriend. But unbeknownst to her, this is only the start of a downward spiral that her life is about to go through.
What follows is an emotional rollercoaster of traumas of the past, ill-informed decisions of the present, and the anxieties of the future. If you love women-centric stories with a British sense of humor, this should definitely be at the top of your reading list this year.
RELATED READING: 15 Billionaire Romance Novels Of The Rich And The Ruthless
11. The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Flat Share, apart from actually being a romance, is also a biting commentary on the soaring rent in London. The two protagonists of the story, Tiffy and Leon, agree on a weird living arrangement because neither of them can afford rent alone. The said arrangement involves one of them occupying the flat while the other is at work.
They communicate with each other only through small notes until their lives start intertwining. The author also touches upon the personal demons that our main characters are trying to conquer. These nuances usually do not find a place in romance books with British tones. And this is exactly what makes this such a refreshing read.
12. Maame by Jessica George
Genre: Coming Of Age, Fiction, Contemporary
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jessica George is another brilliant writer, reinventing the way in which ‘England stories’ are told. In Maame, her debut novel, she tells the story of a second-generation Ghanaian, Maddie. She is the sole caretaker of her father, who has Parkinson’s, and the only black person in most of her office meetings.
Her mother is constantly guilting her for not shouldering enough responsibilities, and her brother cares little about anyone else apart from himself. It’s a great book to read if you want to get a clear insight into their culture.
13. Small Island by Andrea Levy
Genre: Historical Fiction, Contemporary, War
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
At its core, Small Island is a story of immigrants who travel to cities in search of progress and advancement. The story begins in the aftermath of WWII, when Hortense Joseph migrates from Jamaica to London. She arrives here with her husband, enamored with the stories of Western progress.
Away from the usual blitz attached to the city, this book acquaints readers with a different, barbaric side of London history. The events of this book are centred around a historical event from 1948 that resulted in a wave of Caribbean immigrants in the UK.
The author’s father was one of the first people to migrate from Jamaica, and she beautifully transcribes the isolation of being an immigrant onto the paper. For this reason and for its spellbinding prose, we have given this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Mystery & Thriller Books Set In London
If you love thrillers and murder mystery books, we have the best collection of novels that are set in London:
14. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Told from three different perspectives, the premise of inserting oneself in strangers’ lives from afar makes for a really good thriller. The main character of the book, apart from these three women, is the commuter train around which the story is woven.
The protagonist, Rachel, catches this train to commute to London every morning. Eventually, she starts observing a couple she sees every day from the train window. One day, she notices that the woman has disappeared. This sets the stage for one of the best mystery and thriller novels set in London. This was Paula Hawkins’ first book and has been compared to other genre-defining works like Gone Girl.
15. Neverwhere (London Below #1) by Neil Gaiman
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you are a fantasy buff, but are bored with elves, witches, dragons, etc, we have got just the book for you. Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere will completely immerse you in a fantasy version of London. This version of the city, termed London below, is populated by people seemingly discarded by the actual city.
The genius of the book lies in conjuring fantasy out of real human conditions instead of mythical creatures. And, while we love mythical creatures, it is always refreshing to read fantasy emerging from day-to-day conditions. For this reason and for its witty British humour, we have given this novel a perfect rating.
RELATED READING: 15 Best Magical Realism Books Of All Time
YA & Fantasy Books Set In London
Want to read some YA and fantasy books set in London? Take a look at these choices and they won’t disappoint you.
16. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The author of Rivers of London, Ben Aaronovitch, once remarked that he will leave his city when they pry it out of his cold, dead fingers. That should be enough to convince anyone to read anything he has ever written about London.
The book is about Constable Peter Grant, who is tied down to a desk job in law enforcement. However, he catches the eye of a senior official because of his peculiar ability to talk to the dead.
Rivers of London is a fantastic read because it is radically different from other detective stories of the time. For Londoners, it will be an interesting trivia read. It is one of the lesser-known London stories but every bit as brilliant as the other classics on this list.
17. The Time Machine by HG Wells
Genre: Time Travel, Fantasy, Science Fiction
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Published at the outset of the 20th century in 1895, this book earned HG Wells the title of the ‘father of science fiction’. It came at a time when people were contemplating what the new century would bring. The Time Machine revolves around one man’s expedition 8000 years into the future.
The book is set in Victorian London and is not merely about the science of time travel or of human advancement. It is a combination of sociological parable, scientific speculation, and philosophical mediation.
Closer to home, it is about class conflicts and the far-reaching consequences of industrialisation. It is about the possible survival of humanity and the values that have guided us–for the better and the worse.
18. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
If you are looking for YA & fantasy books in London, look no further–we’ve got you. The Lost Apothecary is about a secret apothecary that dispenses poison to women. Why, you might ask? Well, to help them kill the ‘problems’ that they can’t deal with in any other way. And we are discovering all of this through the lens of an aspiring historian.
The Lost Apothecary tells the story of women controlling their own destinies and of their unrelenting struggle against patriarchal values. The bold and complicated female heroines of the story borrow from similar historical figures and inspire the same ideals in the reader.
Romance Books With British Tones
19. In Case You Missed It by Lindsey Kelk
Genre: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
In this breezy and fun rom-com, Lindsey Kelk wraps some of the familiar tropes of the genre in a stylish and hilarious package. The narrative revolves around 32 a 32-year-old ‘Ros’ who is ready to return home after a three-year stint in DC.
Once back in London, she settles in a converted shed at her parents’ house. While her parents seem to be in the throes of a youthful sexual renaissance, she has to figure out her future. Being back home is also full of realizations for Ros, who had expected everyone and everything to be exactly as she had left it.
The novel masterfully explores the heartbreak of growing up or ‘adulting’ and rearranging one’s life around new priorities every so often.
20. My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
Genre: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recently adapted as a motion picture by Netflix, My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan is exactly what it claims to be. It is the story of 24-year-old Ella Duran fulfilling her lifelong goal of studying at Oxford University. There is only one problem, though–her arrogant course instructor, the charming Jamie Davenport.
What follows is a tender, bittersweet, and soulful saga of love and its tragedies. However, if you have spent an unjustifiable amount of time crying over Nicholas Sparks or JoJo Moyes’ books, then this is a must-read for you! Set against the serene landscapes of Oxford, this will leave you wanting for your own special year at the university.
RELATED READING: 11 Love Triangle Books For Romance Fans
21. The Last Bookshop In London by Madeline Martin
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, War
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin is the story of Londoners who survived the Blitz during the Second World War. It is inspired by the true story of the few bookshops that survived that time of devastation.
The protagonist of the story, Grace Bennett, moves to the city before the start of the war to work at a bookstore. She does not identify as a bookworm. That is, until she meets a handsome customer named George.
George introduces her to the magic of books, which eventually succeeds in persuading Madeline to become an avid reader. Torn apart from George by the war, Madeline also starts reading to people during air raids. The author has attempted to paint a picture of people’s resilience during a dark period and has triumphed outstandingly at it.
22. With Love from London by Sarah Jio
Genre: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
It is clear from the title that one cannot get through this book without collecting lots of information about London. Sarah Jio has populated the book with gorgeous descriptions of the city. The protagonist, Valentina Baker, is visiting the city for the first time after receiving news that her mother has passed away and has left a bookstore as her inheritance.
Although Valentina has spent her life resenting her mother for abandoning her, the news of her passing saddens her. This is the book’s premise, which eventually becomes a journey of forgiveness, healing, and moving on. With Love From London is definitely one of the best, albeit underrated, books about London, and it needs to be on everyone’s reading list this winter.
23. Here for the Drama by Kate Bromley
Genre: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary
The Soul Index Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Kate Bromley is the undisputed queen of witty banter, and what better testament to it than the 2021 romance fiction, Here For The Drama. The heroine, Winnie, is passionate and determined to launch her career with a famous playwright, Juliette. The hero, Liam, has all of the endearing traits one has come to identify with men written by women, and also Juliette’s nephew.
The ‘drama’ refers to the giant task that Winnie has been entrusted with–researching for Juliette’s next play. This research includes securing online dates while simultaneously handling a production that is prone to chaos. It is a light-hearted book, ideal to be read with some hot chocolate and a warm comforter.
Conclusion
This list of books is by no means an exhaustive one, but it is the one with almost all the different iterations of books set in London. From a place of poverty and discrimination to one where lasting love and friendships blossom. From a war-torn city to a resilient one that finds strength in its stories. This city has it all and is a perfect place for an interesting literary travel itinerary.
It is then no wonder that authors continue to traverse through the city to find new stories. And we are certainly not complaining about it. There is certainly no other city that readers have enjoyed knowing about more than this one. With that, we leave you to your exploration, dear readers!
FAQs
1. What are some of the best audiobooks about London?
Some of the best audiobooks about London are Rivers of London, Bridget Jones’ Diary and Mrs Dalloway.
2. How do books set in London help readers explore London life?
Books set in london help readers explore the London life through the characters who experience love, hurt, pain, betrayal, euphoria etc in this city and learn to cope with all of those emotions in its parks, gardens, bars, and sometimes, even its public transport systems.
3. What are some romantic stories set in London?
Some of the romantic stories set in London are–My Oxford Year, The Last Bookshop in London, In Case You Missed It, Here For The Drama, and The Flat Share
