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Margaret Drabble

Bestselling Author • 5 Series • 38 Books

5
Series
38
Books
5
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: Summer Bird Cage (1963)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Collections
Start with: A Day in the Life of a Smiling Woman (2011)

About Margaret Drabble

In the year 2011, she received the Golden PEN Award by English PEN for a “Lifetime’s Distinguished Service to Literature”. She has been married twice. Once to actor Clive Swift from 1960 until 1975, with whom she had three kids with. They are Rebecca Swift, (who ran The Literary Consultancy), Adam Swift (the academic), and Joe Swift (TV personality and gardener). In the year 1982, she got remarried to Michael Holroyd, a writer and biographer. Margaret’s debut novel, called “A Summer Bird-Cage”, was released in the year 1963. Her work is from the literary fiction and non-fiction genre. “The Gates of Ivory” is the third novel in the “The Radiant Way” series and was released in the year 1991. In London, Liz Headleand, a psychiatrist, gets an unexpected package. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, Margaret Drabble has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Margaret Drabble

Publication Order of The Radiant Way Books
3 books 1987–1991
1

The Radiant Way

The Radiant Way continues the Publication Order of The Radiant Way Books story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1987
2

A Natural Curiosity

A Natural Curiosity is an essential installment in the Publication Order of The Radiant Way Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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1989
3

The Gates of Ivory

The Gates of Ivory continues the Publication Order of The Radiant Way Books story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1991
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
16 books 1963–2016
1

Summer Bird Cage

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Summer Bird Cage, another outstanding contribution from Margaret Drabble.

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1963
2

The Garrick Year

The Garrick Year is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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1964
3

The Millstone

The Millstone is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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1965
4

Jerusalem the Golden

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Jerusalem the Golden, another outstanding contribution from Margaret Drabble.

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1967
5

The Waterfall

The Waterfall is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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1969
6

The Needle's Eye

The Needle's Eye continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1972
7

The Realms Of Gold

The Realms Of Gold continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1975
8

The Ice Age

The Ice Age is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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1977
9

The Middle Ground

The Middle Ground continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1980
10

The Witch of Exmoor

Magic takes center stage in The Witch of Exmoor, a spellbinding addition to the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series that expands the enchanting world created by Margaret Drabble.

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1997
11

The Peppered Moth

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Peppered Moth, another outstanding contribution from Margaret Drabble.

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2001
12

The Seven Sisters

The Seven Sisters is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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2002
13

The Red Queen

The Red Queen is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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2004
14

The Sea Lady

The Sea Lady continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2006
15

The Pure Gold Baby

The Pure Gold Baby continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2013
16

The Dark Flood Rises

The Dark Flood Rises is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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2016
Publication Order of Collections
3 books 2011–2018
1

A Day in the Life of a Smiling Woman

A Day in the Life of a Smiling Woman continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2011
2

The Gifts of War

Conflict and courage define The Gifts of War, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Collections series by Margaret Drabble that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2011
3

The Plays of Margaret Drabble

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Collections with The Plays of Margaret Drabble, another outstanding contribution from Margaret Drabble.

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2018
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
13 books 1966–2009
1

Wordsworth

Wordsworth continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1966
2

Arnold Bennett

Arnold Bennett is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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1974
3

The Genius of Thomas Hardy

The Genius of Thomas Hardy is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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1976
4

For Queen and Country

For Queen and Country continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1978
5

A Writer's Britain

A Writer's Britain continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1979
6

Tradition of Womens Fiction

Tradition of Womens Fiction is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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1982
7

The Oxford Companion to English Literature

The Oxford Companion to English Literature is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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1985
8

The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature, another outstanding contribution from Margaret Drabble.

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1987
9

Case For Equality

Case For Equality is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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1988
10

Safe As Houses

Safe As Houses is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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1990
11

Margaret Drabble In Tokyo

Margaret Drabble In Tokyo is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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1991
12

Angus Wilson

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Angus Wilson, another outstanding contribution from Margaret Drabble.

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1997
13

The Pattern in the Carpet

The Pattern in the Carpet continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2009
Publication Order of Anthologies
3 books 1975–2023
1

Women and Fiction

Women and Fiction continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1975
2

The Book of Sheffield

The Book of Sheffield is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Margaret Drabble have come to expect.

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2019
3

Collision: Stories From the Science of CERN

Collision: Stories From the Science of CERN continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Margaret Drabble's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2023

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Margaret Drabble?

Margaret Drabble is a bestselling author known for 5 book series containing over 38 books. Popular series include Publication Order of The Radiant Way Books, Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Collections. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Margaret Drabble series to start with?

For readers new to Margaret Drabble's work, the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 16 books. Begin with Summer Bird Cage to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Margaret Drabble written?

Margaret Drabble has written over 38 books across 5 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Margaret Drabble books in order?

Yes, reading Margaret Drabble's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Margaret Drabble write in?

Margaret Drabble writes primarily in fiction. With 5 series across 38 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Margaret Drabble's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Margaret Drabble's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Margaret Drabble's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Margaret Drabble's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series. The first book, Summer Bird Cage, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.