O

Olivia Manning

Bestselling Author • 6 Series • 21 Books

6
Series
21
Books
6
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Balkan Trilogy Books
Start with: The Great Fortune (1960)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Levant Trilogy Books
Start with: The Danger Tree (1977)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Oliva Manning Short Story Collections
Start with: A Romantic Hero (1967)

About Olivia Manning

Olivia Mary Manning was a novelist, poet, and writer. She was born in North End, Portsmouth on March 2, 1908. Both her fiction and nonfiction are widely known all across the globe and are admired for being artistically told, vividly descriptive, and beautifully honest. She mostly writes about long journeys or expeditions, and the challenges and joys of love and loss. Her two main trilogies are the Balkan and Levant Trilogies, but she has written many other books. The Balkan Trilogy follows a young couple, Guy and Harriet Pringle, who are forced to leave their home and flee to Greece as the German army invades during the WWII era. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Balkan Trilogy Books series, Olivia Manning 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 Olivia Manning

Publication Order of Balkan Trilogy Books
3 books 1960–1965
1

The Great Fortune

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Balkan Trilogy Books with The Great Fortune, another outstanding contribution from Olivia Manning.

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1960
2

The Spoilt City

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Balkan Trilogy Books with The Spoilt City, another outstanding contribution from Olivia Manning.

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1962
3

Friends and Heroes

Friends and Heroes continues the Publication Order of Balkan Trilogy Books story arc with Olivia Manning's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1965
Publication Order of Levant Trilogy Books
3 books 1977–1981
1

The Danger Tree

The Danger Tree is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Levant Trilogy Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Olivia Manning have come to expect.

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1977
2

The Battle Lost and Won

Conflict and courage define The Battle Lost and Won, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Levant Trilogy Books series by Olivia Manning that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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1978
3

The Sum of Things

The Sum of Things is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Levant Trilogy Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Olivia Manning have come to expect.

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1981
Publication Order of Oliva Manning Short Story Collections
1 books 1967–1967
1

A Romantic Hero

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Oliva Manning Short Story Collections with A Romantic Hero, another outstanding contribution from Olivia Manning.

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1967
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
1 books 1967–1967
1

Extraordinary Cats

Extraordinary Cats is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Olivia Manning have come to expect.

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1967
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
9 books 1937–1974
1

The Wind Changes

The Wind Changes continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Olivia Manning's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1937
2

The Remarkable Expedition

The Remarkable Expedition is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Olivia Manning have come to expect.

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1947
3

Artist Among The Missing

Artist Among The Missing is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Olivia Manning have come to expect.

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1949
4

The Dreaming Shore

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Dreaming Shore, another outstanding contribution from Olivia Manning.

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1950
5

School for Love

School for Love explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Olivia Manning.

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1951
6

A Different Face

A Different Face is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Olivia Manning have come to expect.

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1953
7

The Doves of Venus

The Doves of Venus is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Olivia Manning have come to expect.

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1955
8

The Play Room

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Play Room, another outstanding contribution from Olivia Manning.

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1969
9

The Rain Forest

The Rain Forest is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Olivia Manning have come to expect.

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1974
Publication Order of Anthologies
4 books 1969–1979
1

Winter's Tales 15

Winter's Tales 15 is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Olivia Manning have come to expect.

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1969
2

Penguin Modern Stories 12

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Penguin Modern Stories 12, another outstanding contribution from Olivia Manning.

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1972
3

The Colourful World of Cats

The Colourful World of Cats continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Olivia Manning's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1975
4

Best for Winter

Best for Winter continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Olivia Manning's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1979

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Olivia Manning?

Olivia Manning is a bestselling author known for 6 book series containing over 21 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Balkan Trilogy Books, Publication Order of Levant Trilogy Books, Publication Order of Oliva Manning Short Story Collections. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Olivia Manning series to start with?

For readers new to Olivia Manning's work, the Publication Order of Balkan Trilogy Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 3 books. Begin with The Great Fortune to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Olivia Manning written?

Olivia Manning has written over 21 books across 6 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Olivia Manning books in order?

Yes, reading Olivia Manning'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 Olivia Manning write in?

Olivia Manning writes primarily in fiction. With 6 series across 21 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Olivia Manning's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Olivia Manning'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 Olivia Manning's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Olivia Manning's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Balkan Trilogy Books series. The first book, The Great Fortune, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.