Books in Order: An Exploration into the Creative Brilliance of Olivia Manning
About the Author, Olivia Manning
Olivia Manning (1911-1980), a remarkable Anglo-Irish author, was widely recognized for her novels that revolved around personal journeys. These enriching narratives unfolded against the varied backdrops of England, Ireland, and the Middle East, reflecting her own worldly experiences. Brought up in England and Ireland, she married a British Council lecturer, R.D. Smith, which led her to numerous sojourns to Romania, Greece, Egypt, and Palestine.
Despite her impressive body of work, Manning did not hit the heights of literary fame until posthumous recognition came her way. Her captivating Balkan and Levant trilogies were adapted into the highly successful TV series “Fortunes of War” in 1987, a whole seven years after she had drawn her last breath.
Unique Writing Style
Olivia Manning’s writing style was a sublime blend of her personal life experiences and gifted storytelling abilities. Her ability to weave her experiences into her narratives made her books hauntingly relatable. The multifaceted cultural landscapes of her novels showcase the brilliance of her writing, transporting readers to a different place and time effortlessly.
Olivia Manning: Debut and Final Works
Manning made her authorial debut in 1937 with her novel The Wind Changes. Her creative journey culminated with the posthumously published Remarkable Expedition in 1985. This incredible trajectory saw the release of numerous highly acclaimed works, each of them masterpieces in their own right.
Books in Order: A Comprehensive List
Below is the list of Olivia Manning’s books in order of when they were initially published:
Publication Order of Balkan Trilogy Books
| The Great Fortune | (1960) |    |
| The Spoilt City | (1962) | |
| Friends and Heroes | (1965) | |